Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!shelby!neon!calvin!zimmer
From: zimmer@calvin.stanford.edu (Andrew Zimmerman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Novel Software Distribution Ideas
Message-ID: <1991Feb5.084512.26648@Neon.Stanford.EDU>
Date: 5 Feb 91 08:45:12 GMT
References: <1037@kaos.MATH.UCLA.EDU> <8847@hub.ucsb.edu>
Sender: news@Neon.Stanford.EDU (USENET News System)
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 44

>>Build the pre-set meter into the software---put
>
>FLAW NUMBER 1:
>   - It's 3:30am and you're using that crippled version of 
>     BartSimpsonCAD that you paid 30 bucks for.  You're just     
>     about to save and print out that isometric diagram of
>     Marge Simpson's hair-do that you need for your presentation
>     at 9am.  AND THE METER RUNS OUT.  Go figure...
>

    I really don't consider that a flaw, I consider that to be stupidity
on the part of the user. :-)
    I do like the idea, but as the above poster mentioned, there are 
some flaws to it.

    Flaw 1.  Lets say the timer runs out.  What is to prevent me from 
finding that 'dump' I did when the timer still had a lot of time left
on it?  And you can't tie it to the date on the system, ie the software
fails after, oh lets say one month.  (One might be surprised to know how
many machines are running with their clocks set back.)  
    
    I do like the idea of software testing though, and I hope that 
software people do make demo versions of their software.  Supposedly,
TopDraw is doing this.  I also really appreciate what Diagram is 
going to be doing for students (of course the students have to convenience
their bookstores to participate in such a program.)
    Actually, while plugging companies, I also like Procomm's pricing
on X.  While I would rather have it be under $100, the price of $150 
seems fair.  I just priced a program to display X on a PC, and it was
in the $500 ballpark.  (Send email if you know of a cheaper product!)
    
    The best policy though, is to deal with a good store (or friends) that
will let you test software.  (After borrowing a copy of Windows 3.0 from
a friend, I thought it was worth the price of $70-$80.)  Now before I
get mail calling me a software pirate, or telling me that most people 
will abuse this practice, save your fingers.  I know that some people
would abuse this.  However, I think that a majority of people might
realize that is in their best interest not to abuse it.  

Andrew
zimmer@calvin.stanford.edu

PS.  Every university should have at least one NeXT machine, just as a
webster server!