Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!pmd
From: pmd@cbnews.att.com (Paul Dubuc)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.zenith.z100
Subject: Re: Outdated ZDOS and CP/M
Message-ID: <1990Sep30.202113.27995@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 30 Sep 90 20:21:13 GMT
References: <1796@nemesis.stsci.edu> <1990Sep23.120249.4344@techbook.com> <1990Sep27.003154.23966@techbook.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 47

In article <1990Sep27.003154.23966@techbook.com>, (Frank Zsitvay) writes:
> In article <1990Sep24.203250.2336@cbnews.att.com> (Paul Dubuc) writes:
> >In article <1990Sep23.120249.4344@techbook.com>, (Frank Zsitvay) writes:
> >> >
> >>    look at it this way, do you think zenith is going to sue you because
> >> you made one too many copies of zdos??
> >>  
> >
> >Another way to look at it (from their point of view):  Letting people freely
> >copy "outdated" software could be seen as cutting into the market for new
> >hardware and software.  They might reason that fewer people would by newer
> >computers and software if they could obtain better, but still unavailable
> >as new, software for just the trouble of copying it.  And, they would have
> >a point, I think ...
> >-- 
> 
>    perhaps, but i don't think they would have a point, simply because there
> are a lot of us out here that cannot afford their new equipment.
>
>    in the case of 8 bit cp/m stuff, there are no new manufacturers of 8 bit 
> cp/m computers that i know of (well, commodore maybe, if you call that cp/m.)
> and cp/m machines aren't regarded as a business tool anymore.

Makes no difference (to them).  Access to a newer copy of software for
older equipment still can be seen as making it easier not to afford newer
hardware.

>    the z100 isn't really a pc clone, and as such doesn't compete with zenith's
> new equipment.  (not that their new equipment is really compatible with
> the clones....)

Right.  It doesn't compete mainly because of lack of access to newer software
for the z100.  The smaller the gap between what runs on the IBM clones and what
runs on the z100 the more competition they would be for each other, especially
if the z100 software were freely copyable.

>    perhaps the guideline should be something like "when they stop supporting
> it, it should be public supported."

I would surely support these guidlines.  I just don't see much reason for
those who own the copyrights to do so.  I'm glad to hear about Paul Herman's
efforts in this area.  I hope he succeeds.
-- 
Paul Dubuc    |   "Civility is highly prized by the uncertain.
att!cbvox!pmd |   It needs most to be exercised by the certain."
	      |   			Richard John Neuhaus
	      |