🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <20197@rsiatl.Dixie.Com>, jgd@Dixie.Com (John G. DeArmond) writes:
>jmann@vineland.pubs.stratus.com (Jim Mann) writes:
> 
>>I wouldn't go so far as to say the "only" use would be to steal a copy.
>>I would love a service that would let me try software for a week before
>>buying it.  Does a word processor do what you need?  Does it feel right?
>>Is it easy to use?  The only way to find out now is usually to plop
>>down a couple of hundred dollars and, if you don't like the way the
>>thing works, well, too bad, you're stuck.
> 
>>Granted, borrowing software is not the only solution to this problem.
>>Microsoft is heading in the right direction with its working models.
> 
>I agree.  My policy is to never buy software before getting a copy to use
>for awhile.  This is a policy developed in the school of hard knocks.
>Working models or any other technique short of the actual software that
>my money buys me is unacceptable. 
> 
>Besides verifying that the software will actually run, my main interest
>is to verify that the philosophy of the developers is compatable with
>mine.  In many instances, such as with CAD software, there is little
>alternative than to actually design something with it. 
> 
>I can't really envision any other mechanism than rental to fulfill
>this need.  I am unwilling to expend any more effort than what it takes
>to pitch bad software disks in the trash.  That rules out money-back
>offers.  The hassles with getting refunds and RMAs are just not worth it.
> 
>I'd be much happier paying someone a few bucks for a rental instead of
>having to troll around for someone to cut me some disks.  The pathalogical,
>instutionalized paranoia present in most software companies tends to 
>prevent this.  Ironically, it is the smaller companies that are hurt
>the most by this paranoia.  It's much less likely that a small company
>product will be laying around a colleague's computer.  Thus I can't 
>look at it.  Thus I don't buy it.  Is that  hard to understand?  Wonder
>why so many software companies seem incapable of comprehending?
> 
 
I agree that it would be nice to be able to rent software to
try it out -- it would also be nice to be able to leave your
house unlocked when you go out, so that passing strangers
could drop in out of the rain.
 
Violating existing copyright laws for the purpose does not
seem to me the best approach. Do you want to run software
from a "used" disk, and pick up god knows what viral infections?
What is needed is a way to do this incooperation with the
vendors, to our mutual advantage.
 
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 Al Dunbar          | 
 Edmonton, Alberta  |  Disclaimer: "not much better than
 CANADA             |                  datclaimer"    
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