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From: gaynor@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu
Subject: Re: All Commercial Software Developers or Companies (pls read)
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.174555.25045@zardoz.eng.ohio-state.edu>
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References: <25662@unix.SRI.COM> <1991Jun23.011635.19552@gn.ecn.purdue.edu>	<BAUMGART.91Jun23150846@esquire.esquire.dpw.com> <51087@ut-emx.uucp>,<BAUMGART.91Jun24163618@info7.esquire.dpw.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1991 17:45:55 GMT

In article <BAUMGART.91Jun24163618@info7.esquire.dpw.com>, baumgart@esquire.dpw.com (Steve Baumgarten) writes:
>By the way, I look forward to taking Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" for a
>"test view" tonight.  Most critics have praised it, but there's really
>no way of knowing whether it's worth paying for until you've actually
>seen it, right?

This analogy does not apply.

Software is a tool.  It is used (in most cases) numerous times in
order to assist the user(s) in completion of one task or another.  The
ultimate measure of any piece of software is how well this "meta-task"
is completed - how useful the software is in task completion.

A movie is a consumable.  Like food, beverages, and amusement park
rides, it is an end unto itself (in most situations).  One may expect
certain standards, such as properly functioning projection equipment,
but if the movie is not to your liking, then that is that.  Food is
similar.  You may request reimbursement if the food is not properly
prepared, or if the service is below par, but if you discover you
don't like Clams A La Mode, that is a risk you took.  You are
purchasing a sensory experience - not a tool.

Of course, some software falls into the "consumable" category.  Games
and screen savers, perhaps.  <grin>  But most software (word
processors, spreadsheets, programming environments, communications)
falls into the "tool" category.

As such, the potential user should employ all ethical means possible
to determine the appropriateness of the tool for the task at hand
before purchasing the tool.

---
Jim Gaynor - AgVAX System Manager - Academic Computing - Ohio State University
VMS:<gaynor@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu>  UNIX:<gaynor@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Disclaimer : All opinions expressed here are mine and only mine.  So there!
Witty Quote: "Shoot him now!  Shoot him now!" - Daffy Duck, "Rabbit Seasonings"