Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!decwrl!pa.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!ryn.mro4.dec.com!mcntsh.enet.dec.com!long From: long@mcntsh.enet.dec.com (Rich Long) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps Subject: Re: All Commercial Software Developers or Companies (pls read) Message-ID: <5336@ryn.mro4.dec.com> Date: 23 Jun 91 22:03:11 GMT Sender: guest@ryn.mro4.dec.com Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 26 In article , baumgart@esquire.dpw.com (Steve Baumgarten) writes... [about "gambling" on buying software] I believe people should be able to evaluate software before purchase, or failing that, have the ability to return unsuitable software. Software is quite complex these days, and expensive, and before I plunk down several hundred dollars for a package, I want to be sure it's going to meet my needs. This is why I am in favor of functional demos, with perhaps "Save" or "Print" functions disabled. The example was cited of a car not coming with a trial period. Actually, I believe that GM (Olds?) _did_ have such a thing for a while! In any event, many things today come with money-back guarantees; why not software? (I know some mail-order places have such today--I think it's great!) This whole thing puts me in mind of the time a friend tried to buy a video switcher. He tried to ask some pointed questions, and get a demo, and the salesman said something like "Whaddya want? It switches video!" Oh well. I think this discussion has veered off the track. Richard C. Long | long@mcntsh.enet.dec.com | Selfware: If you like --------------- | ...!decwrl!mcntsh.enet.dec.com!long | this program, send A First Edition | long%mcntsh.dec@decwrl.enet.dec.com | yourself five bucks!