From: Randal Whittle (rwhittle_at_usa.net)
Date: Fri Sep 03 1999 - 12:02:04 EDT
At 04:39 PM 09/03/1999 +0000, you wrote:
>I take a related point of view - I don't mind copying software to evaluate
>it, but if it turns out to work, and I use it, I will then pay for it.
>
>Of course I don't expect support, but then I'm imposing a kind of shareware
>approach on software distributors, whether they like it or not.
>
>It works for me, and quite fairly I think. The rubbish software just gets
>binned in the process.
Quite agreed--have done the same myself many times.
Or back in the "good 'ol days" when a single software package was upwards
of $500, I'd get my...uh..."copy" but I'd want tech support or a manual or
something, so I ended up buying it (perhaps at the next version) anyway.
As a matter of fact, on an individual basis, I think some level of piracy
actually benefits the industry, since the person oftentimes uses the
product, becomes a fan of it, then ends up buying it (perhaps at the next
version upgrade) anyway. It works as a kind of "super demo" and really
rakes people in, and software companies really are more interested in a
large installed base that they can continuously sell upgrades to anyway.
If there was a way to do so without pissing off their existing customers,
there is no question they would *give* you their software package for free
if it meant you'd be "hooked" and buy upgrades from them for years to come.
With some notable exceptions, like counterfeiters, games and
enterprise-wide piracy, it isn't nearly the problem that the industry
watchdogs would like you to believe it is. The truth of the matter is that
for "normal" folks like you and me, they love it--the love the fact that
they're converting you into a believer that will be ultimately buy upgrades
>from them ad infinitum. Its like giving you the razor handle for free just
so they can sell you blades forever.
- Randy Whittle
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