Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!m.cs.uiuc.edu!gillies
From: gillies@m.cs.uiuc.edu (Don Gillies)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: May 13th yesterday (was May 13th Today)
Message-ID: <1991May15.205525.19265@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Date: 15 May 91 20:55:25 GMT
References: <17937@venera.isi.edu> <kiran.674316022@copper> <52920@apple.Apple.COM> <52923@apple.Apple.COM>
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Lines: 25

I think that clearly, apple would like to sell $99 upgrade kits, since
it makes profits for the corporation.  Also, apple needs to put system
7.0 disks into hardware boxes ASAP so that they don't lose more money
mailing 7.0 to people purchasing new hardware.

If apple sends every dealer three disks, then every user will get the
software for free, and apple will sell absolutely ZERO system 7.0
upgrade kits.  That's why apple doesn't Fed-X floppies to every dealer
in the USA.  It takes money and time make shrink-wrap boxes, which
must account for about $70 to the $99 price.

I'd be willing to pay $35 for a new manual, non shrink-wrapped (as
long as it's better than most of apple's current documentation).  But
$99 is too much for a manual, especially apple manuals, which omit
critical information like "What are the secret function keys?" or "How
do I print a postscript file on a non-apple printer?"  or "How do I
customize my finder?"  It's too bad that Apple doesn't take its market
share and price competitiveness more seriously.  I guess the recent
hardware price drops were more of a cruel joke than a true shift in
corporate strategy.

I predict that many people will buy 3rd-party manuals or rely on
magazines instead of getting the apple documention, because of this
shortsighted marketing move.
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