🚀 go-pugleaf

Matthew Dillon writes
>     Actually, bringing up CD's is a good example.  They cost about a dollar
>     to make and yet are sold for $15 or more, that's 15x margin!
> 

	You are not taking into account all the other factors in producing a CD  
(or software), mastering costs, making the music (software), marketing the  
product, artwork, royalties etc...
	Its still hard to justify the price of CDs, but a buck a disk is wrong.  
(In Canada, CD prices average about $20, YIKES!)

[deleted]
>     You don't have to offer phone support for software and, frankly, if
>     that's the majority of the 'cost' in buying the software I wouldn't
>     mind the option.  P.S. phone support != bug reports.  email support is
>     EASY and costs almost NOTHING.
> 
	Did I ever say anything about phone support??  Don't you think that the  
people who have to answer your e-mail get paid?  Doesn't an internet connection  
cost money?  I know that mine does.
	And lets not forget that e-mail is not as responsive as voice support.   
Or the important fact that many people don't have access to e-mail.

>     Compatibility is not an end-user issue but falls into the category of
>     the programmer's time.  In fact, you didn't bring up the MAJOR cost
>     item, that being the recouping of the development and marketing costs
>     over a reasonable period of time (after which you make your profit).

	If you go back to the original post, I was pointing out that these  
factors make BOOKS different from SOFTWARE.

[still more deleted]

>     No, it isn't plain and simple.  Remember, the argument is over WHY
>     *MANY* people pirate software.  It's obvious that it is theft and just
>     as obvious that labeling it doesn't change the fact that people are
>     doing it.  The argument is over WHY people are doing it, not that they
>     are doing it (if you follow me...)
> 

	Users pirate software because
	a: it is usually easy
	b: it is very unlikely they will be caught.
	c: many don't perceive the wrong in doing it
	d: if you have access to a piece of software, and the package sells for
	   more than the price of the media, many people think it is over
	   priced.

	The Rightbrain products at $90 were a pretty good deal considering you  
get the product, support and full source code.  At $45 dollars, they are a  
steal.

-- 
- Scott Anguish -
sanguish@digifix.com (NextMail)