Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site dataio.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!uw-june!entropy!dataio!bjorn 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