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From: bjorn@dataio.UUCP (Bjorn Benson)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Shareware question
Message-ID: <773@dataio.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 11:01:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: dataio.773
Posted: Thu Aug 15 11:01:02 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 02:19:37 EDT
Organization: Data I/O Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 26

Why is that "Shareware" is so popular?  Is it because you can get free 
software, yet not feel guilty for stealing it?  Or is there some other 
fact that I am missing?  Recently I saw a posting on the net from some 
fellow who wanted a Shareware C compiler.  Why?  Is it because Shareware
usually includes source?  I know of at least two C compilers that included
source, one of them that sold for only $60.  Shareware does not 
include source until you pay for it, so what is the difference?

No, I think that the biggest incentive for Shareware is that it is an 
ethically ok way to pirate software.  If this has offended you, think 
about it... What would be the loss to you if I offered a package for a 
low cost (Shareware prices), with source and a 30-day money back 
guarentee?  You would still get everything you did with Shareware
(low cost, source, try it out free, etc) and I would get my money.  
Oh, there would be some who would copy it and then get their money 
back, but that's life.

Now you are going to say that if I did it this way, you would be able 
to give a copy to your friends so that they could try it out.  I 
agree, but you can't give away your BYTE magazine for them to try it 
either.  Then can use yours, or they can order their own on a 30-day 
money back deal.

	Replies welcome, flames by mail (or to net.flame)...

				Bjorn Benson