Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!ucdavis!caldwr!rfinch
From: rfinch@caldwr.UUCP (Ralph Finch)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d
Subject: Re: Paying for Shareware
Summary: Laws should concur with what most people do.
Keywords: shareware freeware morals ethics knowledge
Message-ID: <694@caldwr.UUCP>
Date: 13 Jan 90 19:30:59 GMT
References: <137@sneezy.tcom.stc.co.uk> <15398@well.UUCP> <1134@utoday.UUCP> <633@foster.avid.oz>
Organization: California Department of Water Resources
Lines: 49

In article <633@foster.avid.oz>, mjm@foster.avid.oz (Mike McBain) writes:
> In article <2719@netxcom.DHL.COM>, ewiles@netxdev.DHL.COM (Edwin Wiles) writes:
} } [much deleted]
} } 
} } FOR THE AUTHORS....
} } 
} } You have a problem getting people to pay for the software you write.
} } 
} } If you're SURE the software is well written, easy to use, and USEFUL, then
} } you can make it "irritating" in some minor fashion.  
} } [suggestions of intentional minor dysfunctionality deleted]
} } 
} } If you're not so sure of the quality of your work, then don't make it even
} } more irritating to use, offer updates!  Or better yet, if the product is
} } large enough to justify it, offer a professionally printed manual!  (In
} } addition to the update.)
} } 
} } Yes, this will probably raise the price, and you may incur some costs,
} } but you have to offer the user some REASON to pay for the software, beyond
} } the software itself!  You won't get much money otherwise, since there are
} } far too many people who have "exceptionally flexible" morals.
} } 
} 
} I think there are some flaws in the `shareware ethos', in that goods are
} proffered, then the provider complains when so few pay. But I think Edwin
} is on to something worthwhile here. 

I agree.

This reminds me of downtown traffic lights which are timed to, say, 35
mph, and the speed limit is posted to 30 mph.  The law says one thing,
your natural inclinations say another.  Laws like that are
frustrating, at the very least.

Even if it is illegal to use shareware without paying for it, it's
frustrating.  Shareware authors, IMHO, should not try to encourage
payment through legal or moral arguments, because it is simply too
tempting to ignore the arguments and use the stuff anyway, even if
your conscience complains.  Better to offer a material incentive to
pay, such as a nice manual or non-crippled version of the program.

Have any shareware authors noticed any difference in the returns
between the two approaches (moral persuasion vs. material incentive)?

My 2 cents worth,

-- 
Ralph Finch              The opinions expressed herein are mine...
rfinch@water.ca.gov  ...ucbvax!ucdavis!caldwr!rfinch  916-445-0088