Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvra!everett
From: everett@hpcvra.CV.HP.COM (Everett Kaser)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: Shareware Poll: The Results
Message-ID: <27380006@hpcvra.CV.HP.COM>
Date: 8 Oct 90 15:55:01 GMT
References: <6208@uceng.UC.EDU>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR, USA
Lines: 58

mpd@anomaly.sbs.com (Michael P. Deignan) writes:
>>everett@hpcvra.CV.HP.COM (Everett Kaser) writes:
>>  1) if it's commercial software they've pirated, they "would have bought
>>  2) if it's freely distributed, but asks for donations, "It's BEGGARWARE!"
>>  3) if it's freely distributed, but requires donations, "It's EXTORTIONWARE!"
>>  4) or, if there's locks on the software (to encourage registrations),

>I disagree that everyone tries to find an excuse for not registering 
>shareware.
>I recently found my "perfect" piece of shareware. It is a package called
>Why is it the "perfect" shareware (to me)? Because:
>	1. This software comes with an extensive manual (250+ pages)
>	2. It is not "BeggarWare", as no "registration reminders" are
>	3. It is not "ExtortionWare", as it is completely functional,
>	4. It is reasonably priced, and includes SOURCE for all of the
>I believe that I will, more than likely (translate: unless I find something
>dramatically wrong with it in the next few weeks) register the software and
>pay the $100 for the source code.
>Now THIS is the type of software I like, and I support.
>-- Michael P. Deignan, President     -- Small Business Systems, Inc. --

I apologize, Michael (and others) if it sounded like I was accusing EVERYONE
of finding excuses (I am a shareware author who has received a good number of
registrations, so obviously I can't believe that).  I was simply venting a
little steam at the PREDOMINANT opinions that have been voiced HERE on the net
on the several occassions that this subject has come up.  I agree with all of
your points (except perhaps #2, as long as the reminder is not obnoxious, some
people won't even realize a package is shareware unless you put it right in
front of there nose).  AND, most shareware that's floating around IS overpriced
(WAY overpriced; as example, witness the $30 pop-up clock, and the $20 batch
file errorlevel programs just posted to c.b.i.p!).

Also, if you weren't in business so that you could deduct the price of the
package from your gross income, and if the source codes were distributed with
the shareware package, would you REALLY be as inclined to register the
package?  I don't mean to impune your morality or honesty (as quite possibly
YOU would be just as inclined), but these factors (in my experience) certainly
DO affect a lot of people.

I could go on with specific examples from my experiences, but I'll cut it short
as I don't really expect to change many peoples attitudes about shareware,
particulary on this net.  Peoples attitudes towards shareware run much too
deep, based largely upon their entire upbringing in our "modern" capitalist
system, where the customer has to pay FIRST for any worthwhile product, and
then fight like hell to get their money back if they're not satisfied.  The
reverse causes instinctive reactions in many (note: not all, many) people that
result in scorn towards shareware and low registration rates.  NOTE:  MUCH
SHAREWARE **DESERVES** SCORN AND LOW REGISTRATION RATES.  But the attitudes of
these people are not selective, but applied to ALL shareware as a group.
Remember Sturgeon's Law:  90% of EVERYTHING is crap!

I apologize for the length of this missive; it is NOT intended as a flame and
I won't contribute much more towards this string, as it's been hashed, thrash-
ed, and bashed to death and beyond before.  Thank you for your bandwidth.

Everett Kaser                   Hewlett-Packard Company
...hplabs!hp-pcd!everett        work: (503) 750-3569   Corvallis, Oregon
everett%hpcvra@hplabs.hp.com    home: (503) 928-5259   Albany, Oregon