Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ukma!rex!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!barryf
From: barryf@aix01.aix.rpi.edu (Barry B. Floyd)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip.ibmpc
Subject: Re: Price of FTP Inc.'s Stuff
Keywords: tcp-ip PC-TCP ftp inc.
Message-ID: <6W2-={C@rpi.edu>
Date: 26 Feb 91 19:40:19 GMT
References: <12607@helios.TAMU.EDU> <12704@helios.TAMU.EDU>
Distribution: usa
Lines: 42
Nntp-Posting-Host: aix01srv.aix.rpi.edu

The summary of responses to this line of discussion could be said about
any company and any client-base. Unfortunately it has been my experience
that few software companies comply with such simple demands. Again from
personal experience, to be fair to the company one must consider the
exorbitant cost of mailing out notices and disk to users. Aldus' (i.e.
PageMaker 4.0) recent announcement containing upgrade pricing seems to 
acknowledge this cost (i.e.  they charge a subscription fee for upgrades,
other than new versions).
 
I would be content in accessing on-line information as long as I don't
have to pay to call the companies private BBS (e.g. I want access via
INTERNET/BITNET to their INTERNET or BITNET or COMPUSERVE etc. bulletin
board). It would be nice if patches and executables or libraries were
available via FTP or e-mail (thus eliminating the cost of paper mail
distribution and management to/for a large portion of their clients).

Either a subscription fee with guarenteed delivery of upgrades and notices
and/or on-line access to notices and patches would be better than 
uncertainty and the required amount of pestering to get information.

barry
 
ps

This line of though applies to mergers and acquisitions. For example; we
have Excelan's LAN WorkPlace with TCP/IP and Socket Libraries. They were
purchased (Excelan) by Novell a while back. Though I read about it in the
financial newspapers Novell never "welcomed" me (their client) into the     
family. Now I see Novell is actively marketing LAN WorkPlace as their
very own. I would like to see a Windows 3.0 specific upgrade to the
product line. One may in fact exist. I am left the task of hunting down 
sales reps using old (Excelan) phone numbers. If they gave me a call they'de
have a sure sale (a la captive audiences, having locked in  on Excelan
hardware), instead of a disgruntled client.
 
(my opinions!)
  
-- 
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
| Barry B. Floyd                   \\\       barry_floyd@mts.rpi.edu |
| Manager Information Systems - HR    \\\          usere9w9@rpitsmts |
+-Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute--------------------troy, ny 12180-+


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