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From: farren@hoptoad.uucp (Mike Farren)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.misc
Subject: Shareware - threat or menace?
Message-ID: <2108@hoptoad.uucp>
Date: Sat, 9-May-87 08:58:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: hoptoad.2108
Posted: Sat May  9 08:58:23 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 10-May-87 04:43:13 EDT
References: <18006@sun.uucp> <795@looking.UUCP>
Reply-To: farren@hoptoad.UUCP (Mike Farren)
Organization: Nebula Consultants in San Francisco
Lines: 24
Xref: mnetor comp.sys.amiga:4674 comp.sys.ibm.pc:3891 comp.sys.misc:561


It is worth remembering that the original name for shareware was
"Freeware", a term subsequently copywrighted by Andrew Flugelman, the
author of PC-TALK, the first shareware product (and probably one of
the most successful).  It is also worth remembering that Andy's
original concept had nothing to do with any "obligation" to pay.  His
point was that there was no obligation of any sort - if you wanted to
send money because you liked the program and found it of use, then
fine.  If you liked the program and didn't send money, then fine.  If
you didn't like the program and didn't send money, then fine.  

If everyone concerned would take an attitude like this, there would be
a lot less heat all around.  What the hell, I've done shareware, and
wasn't disappointed that no bucks came in.  I wrote the utility for my
own pleasure and use, and hoped that it was of use for others.
Whether or not I made big bucks was NEVER the point.



-- 
----------------
                 "... if the church put in half the time on covetousness
Mike Farren      that it does on lust, this would be a better world ..."
hoptoad!farren       Garrison Keillor, "Lake Wobegon Days"