Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!mahendo!wlbr!WLV.IMSD.CONTEL.COM!mcc
From: mcc@WLV.IMSD.CONTEL.COM (Merton Campbell Crockett)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: v08i108: checktd, another author response
Keywords: Shareware
Message-ID: <59316@wlbr.IMSD.CONTEL.COM>
Date: 15 Oct 90 00:55:05 GMT
References: <5997@minyos.xx.rmit.oz> <9010121034.AA06799@thep.lu.se> <143356.21060@timbuk.cray.com>
Sender: news@wlbr.IMSD.CONTEL.COM
Reply-To: mcc@WLV.IMSD.CONTEL.COM.UUCP (Merton Campbell Crockett)
Organization: Contel Federal Systems
Lines: 18

I must agree that "self-documenting" code does not make a valid product--at
any price.  Admittedly, I will accept shareware with mediocre documentation
if I can find some description of what it is supposed to do--"file manager"
is insufficient.  An electronic version of marketing glossy is minimum.

Like others I have wasted time, FTPing an archived file to a computer at
work and Kermiting it home.  If I then unpack it and find no documentation,
DEL *.*.  Back to work and rm *.

If you look at the various costs associated with a software product from,
say Digital, the bulk of what one is paying for is the documentation and
the distribution mechanisms.  There are some products where other than the
cost of the media the actual software is free.

The software development costs are really paid through the annual update
service fees.

Merton