Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!asuvax!mcdphx!hrc!gtephx!pfluegerm From: pfluegerm@...!asuvax!gtephx (Mike Pflueger) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games Subject: Re: My problem with Educorp Message-ID: <1991May10.161913.26677@...!asuvax!gtephx> Date: 10 May 91 16:19:13 GMT References: <8c9=MDO00VpdEGzEoW@andrew.cmu.edu> <1991May9.075710.29213@colorado.edu> Organization: AG Communication Systems - Phoenix, AZ Lines: 76 > >In fact probably the thing that bugs me most right now is that they > >don't bother to keep the latest versions of my programs either. That's > >pretty annoying. I realize I've put my games out for public > >distribution but I think Educorp is weaselly and I will never recommend > >someone buy anything from them. Have any other shareware authors had > >any problems with Educorp? > > > >Eric Snider > >es1o+@andrew.cmu.edu YES!! - They were "selling" my programs without even attempting to contact or notify me. This pisses me off BIG TIME! THEY were profiting from MY work. - One of these programs had been modified and was not even functional! Obviously they didn't even try it. I shudder to think what kind of viruses and destructive programs could get by. I contacted them in writing and subsequently spoke to the "president" (Vahe Guzel, I believe was his name). I found his ethics to be generally lacking. When I pointed out that one of my programs they were distributing had been modified and was not even functional, he said to look at that as an opportunity - people would be more encouraged to send in the shareware fee to get a working version! I informed him that I have higher standards than that, I don't believe in bait-and-switch type tactics. He seemed surprised. I asked how do they protect customers from viruses and destructive programs, and he said they check everything they distribute. I asked how my program got distributed then, since the copy they had was non-functional. He didn't know how it "slipped by." I also pressed him on the fact that not only are they profiting from MY work without my permission AND WITHOUT EVEN THE COURTESY TO NOTIFY ME (I noticed my programs in one of their catalogs in Mac). He said that they distribute too many programs to contact every author. HA! Amazingly, they DO manage to copy, catalog, distribute, AND profit from them all. Oh yeah, and supposedly check each one for viruses too. After several calls and letters from him, a total about an hours worth of discussing what I believe to be unethical practices, he finally offered me my choice of something like four of their disks as compensation. But he was missing my point. He never did concede that they were using any questionable practices or would change any of their policies. So, I demanded that they remove my programs from distribution. It took me several attempts and threats of litigation to get them to do this. I also had people who had purchased this modified, non-functioning program from Educorp virtually demanding support because they had paid for the program. While Educorp DOES now put notices in their catalogs distinguishing Shareware from Freeware and suggesting people send the shareware fee in, it was obvious that people felt that they HAD paid and that I was somehow also compensated. I would inform them of the situation and suggested that they contact Educorp immediately to complain about being ripped off for non-functional programs and the potential for destructive programs. As such, I've not done any more shareware programming the last few years, I've been keeping things to myself. I am about to release a new program though, and have much stronger notices in the program that distribution for profit is prohibited except with my written permission. I would recommend that EVERYONE stay away from places like Educorp! Obviously they want to turn a cheap buck and don't care who they screw doing it. Obviously this subject hit a nerve :-( Mike -- Mike Pflueger @ AG Communication Systems (formerly GTE Comm. Sys.), Phoenix, AZ UUCP: {...!ames!ncar!noao!asuvax | uunet!hrc | att}!gtephx!pfluegerm Work: 602-582-7049 FAX: 602-582-7624 Home: 602-439-1978 Packet: WD8KPZ @ KB7TV.AZ.USA.NA Internet: gtephx!pfluegerm@asuvax.eas.asu.edu