Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pnet01.UUCP!panther
From: panther@pnet01.UUCP (The Panther!)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: re: piracy
Message-ID: <8905300456.AA09451@crash.cts.com>
Date: 30 May 89 03:15:08 GMT
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: pnet01!pro-nsfmat!pro-lep!panther@nosc.mil
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 34

Network Comment: to #4047 by pnet01!crash!pro-lep.cts.com!orcus

True, demos would be nice...but that costs even more in production.

When the demo is completed, how can you really be sure that's the product they
will sell you? I don't know if there is anything on the lawbooks about demos
having to really resemble their mother-software, but if not...the users who
recieve it and are impressed MAY be in for a tough fall when the demo is fast
and pretty as the real thing stinks up a wall.

I like demos myself. I don't normally buy things, but I do enjoy looking at
what's out there. Demos are just another way I can piddle with the new
technology.

Another problem would be this: would you have the demos spread via networks
and bulletin board systems or on direct order from the company developing it?
With the BBS option, it all works nicely. But-- when you are cornering only
one small part of the userbase that could buy, you sell your product short.
And ordering the demo would not save the company money by packaging and
mailing costs. I'd be willing to bet that well over 50% of the buying populace
are without modems or outside connection to their network where they could
recieve such a demo anyway. So then it is made necessary to provide shipping.

Jason Hughes
PS-I'm not knocking the idea: I like it...just it could become as costly to
demo software as would be to test and bug-zap the program it demos.

"Hi Mom! 8^)"
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