Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!jarthur!uci-ics!rlittle
From: rlittle@ics.uci.edu (Robert A. Little)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Shareware v. Commercial (was Re: An issue...Amiga Community.)
Message-ID: <265DC532.5338@paris.ics.uci.edu>
Date: 25 May 90 23:52:18 GMT
References: <1401@faatcrl.UUCP> <5366@jhunix.HCF.JHU. <1403@faatcrl.UUCP>
Reply-To: rlittle@ics.uci.edu (Robert A. Little)
Organization: UC Irvine Department of ICS
Lines: 72

In article <1403@faatcrl.UUCP> jprad@faatcrl.UUCP (Jack Radigan) writes:
>EDU>
>Organization: FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City NJ
>Lines: 45
>
>barrett@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU (Dan Barrett) writes..
>>
>>the hateful evil commercial software companies are out to drain my
>>wallet.  And everybody knows that ALL commercial software companies are
>>criminals.

Software companies aren't criminals, but passing along the costs of bad
advertising campaigns and methods isn't exactly fair.  I recently purchased
_Dungeon Quest_ (a VERY good game) for $49...Now, I didn't hear about
DQ from a Magazine or any other source which FTL (the distributor) would
have advertised in; in fact, I heard about the game from a friend of a friend,
etc.  My point is this:  FTL did NOT spend that much money on advertising, if
they did, then the money was unwisely spent, and I'm sure the development
wasn't THAT expensive (a complete custom programmed business package of mine
costs at MOST $5000)  So where do they justify the cost?

>
>Granted, unlike a mechanical device which wears out over a period of time,
>software remains as functional as the first day you licensed it.

Quite correct--the software program will never wear out...or will it?
Software programs (commercial, that is) are static--they can NOT be upgraded
as time goes on...you can't add a hard drive, a little extra RAM, maybe a
new processor.  In fact, if you DID add something to the program, then you
have just broken the law!  (Fed. Copyright Law:  the copyright holder, and
only the (C) holder, can make "derivitave" works.  -not a direct quote, but
the idea is there) In order to "upgrade" an existing software program, then
you have to buy the NEW version (maybe at a reduced rate, granted)  I currently
have M2Amiga (a Modula 2 compiler) that will be of little or no use with the
2.0 operating system...great, does this mean I have to shell out ANOTHER $200
for a new compiler?  That's BULL!  It's NOT worth it!  Granted, the development
of a compiler is MUCH more detailed and expensive than a game (or is it?) it
doesn't merit _that_ much!

>
>It's not that I'm anti-capitalist, I do feel everyone is allowed to make
>a profit, but it has its limits just the same.
>
>  -jack-

Quite right--it has its limits.  Unfortunately, piracy would seem to be
setting those limits.  What's the solution?  Shareware?  I personally
release stuff as shareware, but I have yet to receive a cent (that might
also be because I make NO effort to distribute my stuff, I don't
make very friendly programs, and probably no one would like my crap anyway)
I do, however, send off money whenever I feel the work merits it.
Unfortunately, I have become QUITE upset with some of the authors...I sent $10
off to a programmer for a Star Trek game that I was very impressed with, (he
was asking for 5), and I sent him my address and phone number, asking for a
hand in graphics work with Modula-2 (the game was written in M2)  He cashed the
check, but never called or wrote.  I find this offensive...the least he could
have done was spend 25 cents and send a form _thank-you_ letter.

There must be some middle ground...Suggestions?

--rob

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--
Clueless Rob Little