🚀 go-pugleaf

paul@serena.iaehv.nl (Paul Kolenbrander) writes:

>< by definition,
>> shareware authors are amateur programers who program for fun, and not
>> to put food on their table.

>Where did you get that definition? As it is incorrect in a lot of
>cases. Eg. mine and the AWeb author to name but two.

There seems to be some confusion as to what I mean by "amateur". A
person can be a professional programmer by day, but is still an
amateur in their spare time. Indeed that is what "spare time" means --
time you are not being paid for.

>> Why not be a freeware programmer instead?

>I have released freeware stuff, eg. StartDia, TimeCheck and
>ScanGuide. (to name some little amiga tool)

And I also have released freeware. So what is your point?

>But you seem to be one of those who think all software should
>be free. 

No.  There is a place for commercial software, and I would consider
the small number of shareware authors who actually live off their
registration fees as commercial authors as well.  What I object to is
the attitude that one _must_ be paid for all work in order for it to
be worth doing. It seems a rather nasty attitude that would define
things such as volunteer work as worthless.

>Well, developing HTML-Heaven has taken a *lot* of my
>time and I think I am entitled to at least receive some form
>of reward for that. Evn if it is just enough to buy a piece
>of software or hardware for my Amiga. Are you forgetting that
>SAS C (whihc I'm using to develop) isn't free either. Nor are
>developer materials such as the RKM's and such...

You are certainly free to hold such feelings. There is a lot of free
HTML authoring software on most platforms however, so fortunately
there are numerous programmers who don't think they are "entitled" to
anything more than praise for their work.

>Attitudes such as yours and singh's are what is driving good
>programmers away. Like John Veldthuis. 

Hmm. My attitudes are quite standard for Linux users and programmers,
actually.  And Linux has no shortage of excellent programmers.