Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!hsi!tankus
From: tankus@hsi.UUCP (Ed Tankus)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Why Can't Microsoft Write Protect Their Distribution Disks?
Summary: A view from the
	 other side.      (LONG)
Message-ID: <978@hsi.UUCP>
Date: 23 May 88 14:16:20 GMT
References: <175@optilink.UUCP>
Organization: Health Systems Intl., New Haven, CT
Lines: 96

In article <175@optilink.UUCP>, cramer@optilink.UUCP (Clayton Cramer) writes:

... about MS not using write protected disks or applying write protect tabs
to their program disks.


Then, Tom_TA2_Allebrandi@cup.portal.com followed-up.

>In general, I have noticed that IBM is the exception not the rule when it
>comes to distributing write protected media. Nothing for the PC that I have
>ppurchased over the last couple of years has been write protected.

>I always follow these rules:
>1) Write protect all media.
>2) If not copy protected, make diskcopys and place the originals
>in our fire safe.
>3) proceed with installation from the backup copies.

>I find that vendors often include similar instructions in their installation
>guide.

>That's procedure, now opinion. Yes, I am annoyed that software manuafacturers
>do not distribute write protected media. My # 1 above protects against
>accidental writing while making the diskcopys! I do not though want the non
>writable disks like IBM uses - a standard disk with a write protect tab
>installed is fine for me. Then, when I get the perennial update, it will be
>easier to reuse the old floppies. (Yes I know I could cut a notch but they
>don't let me have sharp things to play with. :-)

>For our product, we will be using standard disk with write protect tabs
>in place. And, I won the argument about having an installation program
>that writes on the master media - we won't have one.

>ta2
>Opinions are like <name your favorite part of anotomy>, everyone has
>one or two. Except for some people I know who have three.


First, let me get the mundane squared away.

Disclaimer:  The following thoughts, opinions, and miscellaneous ravings are
	     my own and do not in anyway represent the official or unofficial
	     thoughts, opinions, and miscellanous ravings of my employer.  No
	     flames are intended nor implied.

I manage the software production process for my employer, a software developer
for the healthcare industry.  Part of my job is to qualify and coordinate
the activities of software duplicators, in particular, diskette duplicators.

These duplicators are highly automated but still must use manual labor for
things like inserting disks into sleeves.  By adding more labor-specific
tasks, you not only increase the cost of the product but you are likely to
increase the time it takes to get that product into the end-user's hands.
In both cases, this is likely to have an adverse effect on your client base.

The cost of diskettes is by far the largest expense incurred when duplicating
software.  The argument can be given that, hey, that's part of the cost of
the software when the end-user hands over his wallet.  That may or may not 
be true depending on whether or not the developer has included those costs 
in the retail price of the software.  Regardless, someone has to put the
first buck down and in this case it's the developer.

When I purchase media for duplication I'm concerned with both quality and
price.  If a vendor quotes a price of $.60 for 5.25" non-write-protected 
floppies in quantity versus $.85 for write protected floppies of the same
brand and quality, I think my purchasing decision is a bit obvious.  Now 
you may argue about customer satisfaction and so on but lets look at some
numbers.

Ex. 5,000 5.25" (DSDD) disks @ $.60 (non-write-protected): $3,000.00

    5,000 5.25" (DSDD) disks @ $.85 (write-protected):     $4,250.00
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    Difference of:					   $1,250.00

I don't believe I could convince any of my managers or those who have the
authority to approve my requests that this kind of customer satisfaction
is worth $1,250.  However, I can easily convince them that if they don't
use write-protected media, they pare down the use of labor-specific tasks
at our duplicators, and provide our customers with sets of disk tabs, that
not only will everyone save money but we can deliver the product on time.  

I believe the two or three minutes the client may take to write protect 
their software is more than made up by them having the product in the
first place at a fair price and on time. 



Cheers!

-- Ed.
    
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Snail:  Health Systems Int'l, 100 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511
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