🚀 go-pugleaf

Several times a week, someone posts an article to a newsgroup asking
something like, "What's the best PD/shareware program to do XYZZY?"
Why don't they just ask, "What's the best program to do XYZZY?"  Why
is PD/shareware specifically requested?  Is it:

1.  People want to "try before they buy".
2.  People want the (usually) better prices and support of shareware
    vs. commercial software.
3.  Shareware is perceived as more readily available (FTP, etc.).
4.  People are opposed to supporting Microsoft or any of the other
    software giants, and would rather do business with "the little guy".
5.  People want software, but can get away with not paying for
    shareware.

Personally, I want the best software for the job, whether it's
shareware, freeware, commercial software, or something I have to sit
down and write myself.  My gut feeling (call me cynical) is that it's
tempting to obtain shareware to perform a task, and not register it.
After all, the hardware itself isn't a real money sink, it's the software.

I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on the subject.

- Jim  

--
James J. Reisert                Internet:  reisert@sttng.enet.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corp.         UUCP:      ...decwrl!sttng.enet!reisert
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