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Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!rochester!bbn!husc6!cmcl2!esquire!sbb
From: sbb@esquire.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Does the non-developer have to BUY Multifinder?
Message-ID: <231@esquire.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 19-Nov-87 18:25:21 EST
Article-I.D.: esquire.231
Posted: Thu Nov 19 18:25:21 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Nov-87 17:42:04 EST
References: <577@umbc3.UMD.EDU> <6759@apple.UUCP>
Reply-To: sbb@esquire.UUCP (Stephen B. Baumgarten)
Organization: DP&W, New York, NY
Lines: 30
Keywords: pay for version 1.0?

In article <6759@apple.UUCP> jordan@apple.UUCP (Jordan Mattson) writes:
>	I don't know what the story is about free distribution from dealers, 
>but I do know that Apple is dsitributing the System Software update through
>electronic distribution (CompuServe, GENIE, Delphi, etc) and user groups with
>no Apple imposed charge.
>	As to your comment on the manual and disk costs:  yes, it does cost
>about that much to distribute a shrink-wraped package.  Packaging and 
>distribution is expensive.  Just ask anyone who has been in the software 
>business.

But don't ask Central Point Software.  They'll tell you it's possible to make
a profit selling a program (with docs and shrinkwrap) for well under $30.

Also:  CE Software, Silicon Beach (in fact, don't most games retail for under
$50?), etc., etc.

Although I'm glad Apple is finally formalizing their System Software
distribution, I think it's dumb that they force you to either copy it from
a friend, download it (rather expensive at 1200 baud), or go to a dealer
(whose only service is to hand you the package and ring up the sale).
Why, oh why, can't Apple sell mail order?  What's the big deal?  Most of
us buy every single piece of Mac software through the mail... except for
System software.  Anyone care to explain?

P.S.  Anyone know if you can buy MS-DOS from PC Connection?  :-)

-- 
   Steve Baumgarten             | "New York... when civilization falls apart,
   Davis Polk & Wardwell        |  remember, we were way ahead of you."
   ...!seismo!cmcl2!esquire!sbb |                           - David Letterman