Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sample.eng.ohio-state.edu!purdue!mentor.cc.purdue.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!gn.ecn.purdue.edu!jess
From: jess@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (Jess M Holle)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: All Commercial Software Developers or Companies (pls read)
Keywords: Hard Disk Auditing for your Software
Message-ID: <1991Jun23.011635.19552@gn.ecn.purdue.edu>
Date: 23 Jun 91 01:16:35 GMT
References: <25662@unix.SRI.COM>
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Lines: 48

In article <25662@unix.SRI.COM> mxmora@sri-unix.sri.com (Matt Mora) writes:
>P.S. Please no flames about how you hate this program already. If
>people (or companies) didn't steal software there wouldn't be a need for
>this program.

First, let me say that I do not believe that copying software that others 
work hard to write is in any means right.

I do, however, believe that the only way to have a reasonable chance of 
buying the right software for specific needs is to use several competitors 
for several MONTHS before purchasing one of them.  There is only so much 
that you can learn from calling the companies, asking the net, reading the 
trade rags, and talking to your local IDIOT computer retailer (any of the
ones that I've talked to know less about the fewer pieces of software than
your average Mac hobbyist/fanatic/enthusiast).

This belief in a need for using software before purchase arises from my 
past software purchases. Those purchases that I am truly very happy with 
are ones that I managed to test against the competition for a long period 
of time before purchase. I hate having to future software needs, having to 
gamble by not having personal prior experience with all likely candidates.

I believe that this gamble is what also has given rise to the near 
monopolies and mega-companies that we see in the Mac world today. Software 
is purchased not by its actual value, but by the fact that it's by somebody 
big and, therefore, can't be too bad.

I truly believe that many fewer people would steal software if more
products had free demos. I mean demos that work in every respect except,
for instance, not allowing saving, printint a "DEMO" across any printouts, 
and would do a similar thing to its exports if necessary. I know that the
logistics could be a bit difficult. If users could find a product that
they KNOW they LOVE, though, I believe that they would be much more likely 
not only to purchase it over its competitors, but to commit money to
the package, rather copying it.

I also believe that this will allow more packages to thrive in the Mac
market. The makers of Nisus and other companies are starting to use demos 
more extensively to break into stagnant monopolized markets. I think very
widespread demo usage could at new vigor Mac software by improving the
basis for competition.

Anyway... Enough of my ramblings...


Jess Holle

P.S.  I just bought Claris CAD, and it is wonderful.