Re: Re-Install? Protection-Schemes
Responding to Euman's response to Theo:
You never know what topic will get someone's juices flowing. Maybe it's just
those two cups of coffee already before 6 AM. Anyway,...
>I fell that my project could possibly put people out of work
Companies, Salesmen, Programmers, etc, etc... I dont like to see my fellow
man do without, do you?
I don't think you should sweat it, Euman. Any change that can lay a
reasonable claim to being progress will harm someone somewhere, at least
temporarily. The good news is that individuals and society are usually
pretty resilient. At the same time, if the potential benefits of a product
or technology are greater than the potential harm, might it not be
reprehensible to withhold or delay those benefits?
I've been thinking about the same issues that you are contemplating. I am
not sure, but I can almost see justification for three different
incarnations of a good software package: 1. A free version that is more than
a demo, in that it actually provides measurable benefits to the user, and
will do so indefinitely. 2. A paid-for version that provides a strong suite
of functionality for the casual user, home user, or hobbyist. 3. A more
pricey "pro" version for the power user, such as someone who would use the
software in connection with earning their living or doing some project for
profit or other considerable, measurable benefit.
The free version would get the product name, and your company's name, in
front of a large number of people, helping to develop critical mass. You
would earn money directly from the percentage of those users who would want
and need the additional functionality offered by the upgrades-for-money.
I agree with Theo, that time-limited software just tends to irritate people.
My experience with this kind of software is that I typically don't have time
in 30 days (or whatever) to determine by "trial use" whether I want the
program enough to pay for it. When the program, or most of its
functionality, shuts down abruptly with me in an unsure state, the pendulum
swings immediately to "no, I don't really need it enough to pay for it," and
it gets summarily uninstalled. On the other hand, I can tolerate "nag-ware"
that urges me to register and complains if I don't do so farily promptly.
IMO your first priority should be to create an extremely reliable and usable
program. Lacking that, all other considerations are basically meaningless.
>Linux isn't main stream YET.
And it won't ever be, unless it can achieve critical mass, which entails
having a GUI with bells and whistles comparable to Windows, and a comparable
amount of "sexy" software written for it. By writing for Windows rather than
Linux, you're supporting the former and helping to undermine the chances for
real success of the latter. Not that I suggest you abandon programming for
Windows, but if you're a strong Linux fan, why not put some (more) effort
into making it better so that more people will join the Linux camp?
Interesting topic, no?
George
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