🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <14109@s.ms.uky.edu> sean@ms.uky.edu (Sean Casey) writes:
>jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II) writes:
>
>
>My biggest concern in that area is the potential for abuse. Ross Greenberg
>and others are providing a good product for a good price. But others may be
>attracted by the possibility of abusing it and scamming a lot of people out
>of their money.

Thanks, Sean.  I like to think that my code is good stuff and is presented
at a reasonable price with adequate support.  I'd like to be able to 
continue providing such code, but that code actually costs me a bundle
every week -- support, telephone, etc.  Heck, even legal fees.

As for the people scamming you (and me!), I'm against them, too.  We're on
the same side in this issue.  I would suggest that you take a look at code
provided my authors who qualified for entry in the Association of Shareware
Professionals.  The ASP does not vouch that the code is any code at all, and
they are not a revewiing body of the worth of that code.  But, to gain
admission into ASP you must meet certain criteria.  You must offer free
support for at least 30 days, you must provide the name, telehone number and
E-mail/snail mail addresses of a representative of ASP, the Ombudsmen, so
a person can register a complaint against you if they desire, etc.  There are
150-175 members of ASP right now:  their products account for about the top
80% of the best selling shareware software.  Every piece of shareware that
has ever won a PCMag's Editor's Choice has been from an ASP member, for
example.  They're (We're) proud of being able to offer shareware via these
alternative channels for a fraction on the price that the commercial guys
do, and some of us make enough to be millionaires (not me, alas: $10 software
is not put out because you expect to get rich!).  

>
>That, combined with the license issue, is why I think the legal status
>quo, "you don't have to pay for it", should be maintained. Too much potential
>for destruction of liberties, and too much potential for "get rich quick
>at the public's expense."
>

But, you don;t have to pay for it.  Simply stop using it if you're not
satisfied with the software and don;t think it's worth the requested
price.  That's the beauty of shareware.  If too many people do as you are
advising them to, that is to use shareware without paying for it, they'll
be no incentive for the "good guys" to continue to provide it.  Then, for
example, you'll pay $190 for an anti-virus package instead of $10.

Tooting my own horn, the $10 package is better! :-)



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Ross M. Greenberg, Technology Editor, UNIX Today!   greenber@utoday.UUCP
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