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From: ashing@milton.u.washington.edu (Al Shing)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: C++ upgrade (was Why do people pirate software?)
Message-ID: <6910@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 30 Aug 90 23:35:37 GMT
References: <6832@milton.u.washington.edu> <1990Aug30.183242.21304@amd.com> <1990Aug30.222112.27445@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 51

In article <1990Aug30.222112.27445@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu> mikew@proton.LCS.MIT.EDU (Michael B. Williams) writes:
#|> 
#|> I just got an upgrade offer of $80 for C++ and $125 for C++ Professional.
#|> Are we talking or holding our breath?
#|> 
#|> Mike Ching
#
#You know, we really should get on Borland's case about their so-called
#``upgrade'' policies.  When I upgraded to WordPerfect 5.1, it cost $85, 
#%17 of the list price ($495) and %38 of what I paid ($219) for
#WordPerfect 5.0.  Borland wanted $89 (I think) just to upgrade to Turbo
#C++, which works out to 59% of the list price ($149?) and 89% of what I
#paid ($99) for Turbo C 2.0.  They wanted $139 (I think) to upgrade to
#Turbo C++ Professional, or 46% of the list price ($299).  What's worse,
#for a while Egghead Software was selling Turbo C++ for $99 and the
#Professional for around $159, and that's retail with no upgrade.
#

You are right.  I can buy Turbo C++ today at Software Etc. for $89, which 
is just a little bit more than I paid for Turbo C 2.0 ($79).  

By contrast, I paid a whopping $15 for PC Tools 6.0 from Central Point 
Software, which listed for $159.   The point of an upgrade is to get you to
the current release, with all the bugs fixed, without having to buy the 
product over again, or at least to give loyal customers a break over the
new customers.

On the other hand, Turbo C++ is really a separate product from Turbo C, and 
both continue to be available.  So in this sense, why should a customer 
get two compilers for the price of one, especially a hot new compiler 
that required a lot of work and research.  

If I get the upgrade offer, I'll probably take it up to get the Turbo C++
Professional package, because I didn't get the Turbo C Professional package.
The Debugger and Assembler package is currently selling for $119, so for
$6 more, you get the Turbo C++ compiler, which is a pretty good deal.

#I guess the results of the upgrade plan were underwhelming, because now
#I get this ``Second notice'' which offers me Turbo C++ for $79 and the
#Professional for $125.  They should be ashamed of themselves!  I'd be
#really upset if I had sent in the first notice.  Of course, paying $79
#to ``upgrade'' software that you paid $99 for doesn't seem like much of
#a bargain, either.  Do you think that perhaps if I wait a little longer....

Borland is obviously trying to improve its cash flow in order to build up 
funds to fight the Lotus suit.  If you support the Borland side of the 
issue, it wouldn't hurt to send in your "donation", and get the use of some
great software in the bargain.

-- 
    Al Shing (ashing@cac.washington.edu)