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From: che@ptsfb.UUCP (Mitch Che )
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Re: Cleaning up net.sources.mac
Message-ID: <244@ptsfb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Oct-85 23:35:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: ptsfb.244
Posted: Tue Oct 15 23:35:08 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 17-Oct-85 20:46:38 EDT
References: <1134@sdcsvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: che@ptsfb.UUCP (Mitch Che - 4e750w)
Organization: Pacific Bell, San Francisco
Lines: 43
Keywords: net.shareware.mac

In article <1134@sdcsvax.UUCP> jww@sdcsvax.UUCP (Joel West) writes:
>
>Recently, however, I've noticed that the net is becoming a distribution
>channel for profit-making software enterprises.  That's right, I'm talking
>about
>	SHAREWARE 
>	(aka freeware, though the software is neither shared nor free)
>
>I think it is commendable that some people will spend their time developing
>software that they have no intention of profitting from (macput, kermit,
>vt52.da).  This spirit of cooperation -- particularly when source is
>included or available -- typifies the net at its best.
>.......
>However, it appears that net.sources.mac is now being filled with
>"shareware".  Since I don't see Microsoft or Lotus using it for
>distribution, I must conclude that the software there is:
>      *	Not worth enough to support conventional distribution
>	channels -- either in testing, documentation, or support; or
>      *	The author thinks he can get others to do his work for him
>	for free.
>
One of the first communications programs I used on an IBM PC was a "freeware"
program (by the late Andrew Flugelman) called PCTALK III.  This was in 1982.  I
gladly sent him $35.00 because most of the commercial communications programs
at that time were extremely expensive and crap (pardon the expression).  I
was glad to see "shareware" in 1982 and still like the idea.  If YOU
don't like "shareware", fine, don't download it and don't send anything to
the authors.  Your logic in the last paragraph above escapes me.  Free software
is (potentially) great, "shareware" is "not worth enough to support...".

I think there are good programs of both types on the net, and personally, I
want to continue seeing them.  If the author wants to ask me to send him/her
something IF I USE THE PROGRAM, fine.  There's no free lunch, Joel. (Geez, I
hope this doesn't open up a discussion about altruism [and support of Mom,
apple pie and the American Way?] on the part of programmers.)

-- 
Mitch Che
Pacific Bell
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