Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!cert.sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: padgett%tccslr.dnet@uvs1.orl.mmc.com (Padgett Peterson) Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: Cost of Protection (Philosophy) Message-ID: <0014.9008101840.AA07688@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 10 Aug 90 22:14:39 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 22 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu I am astounded by the assertation that $5800 for 100 service copies of McAfee's SCAN is considered excessive. Considering the continuing effort, response time, and updates required, the cost seems minimal compared that of sending technicians out unarmed (yes, we have a service license). Just the savings in time alone in battling infections and the knowlege of what you are facing justifies the cost. More important, at a time when many manufacturers require individual copies for each CPU, the concept of the service and site license, both available from McAfee and very few others, are godsends to overworked staffs. Besides which, I can think of very few packages available for $58 each, much less ones that can be used on any machine. No-one thinks twice about the telephone company charging more for a business line than for a residential one. Similarly, the $25 "shareware" fee for home use cannot be equated to the unlimited use "service license" fee. If an alternative is desired, nothing is stopping anyone from writing their own software. For me, the price is cheap and the concept well worth supporting. Padgett Peterson Personal Opinions