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The developers debate - a user adds his thoughts.......

6 replies · 2,975 views · Started 22 January 2003

carpathian 22 Jan 2003, 08:43

Having read the very eloquent musings from the developers side I thought I'd add a note from a users perspective - comments welcome ?

Firstly I guess cost is one point - you've raised it already but it's important to make the point as seen from this side of the fence.

I've seen some apps for the 7650 etc proced at $20 or so - to somebody that can go into a shop and see a PC title (game or otherwise) priced the same makes the phone app seem so much less value.

I know that hard work has gone into it and that it's taken money and effort to finish it but the perception is that the two things (PC/phone) are at different levels right now and pricing things the same, however useful, is a joke. It's maybe not the case but the the *perception* is that.

Secondly, we all know that hacks, cracks and warez are out there - as you've all said in your posts already it's been around for as long as software has. I remember copied ZXSpectrum tapes and hacked BBC Micro floppy discs from many years gone by.

What the internet has brought is the availability of this to the masses. What used to be a few people in their bedrooms swapping things is now open to anybody. I sit here in the UK being offered hacks from the other side of the world - all within one mouse click. Who's isn't going to be at least tempted ? We are only human after all.

If these channels were shut down, rather than just bitched about on other forums (sorry, but thats how it seems sometimes) then less people would get to even see these files and a percentage of the problem would be removed. You won't remove it all but at least lessen it.

Finally, mainly because this is long enough already and you'll have stopped reading by now, theres the quality issue.

There are many pieces of software out there - some big and some less so. I downloaded trials and freeware and bought commercial software (yes, bought) but found that many are still bugged or lacking in some way. Many items install fine but leave files/folders behind when removing them - and with only a limited disk space to start with this is unforgivable. Surely basic testing could cure this ? Just one example of why people would go for these free rather than pay.

Also the number of pieces of software makes it tough to get a genuine view of which is the one you really want and very limited demos really don't help this. You simply can't buy them all - it's not practical and people will feel less likely to buy in the future if they feel they've wasted their money on a sub-standard product. This is life - not just in the software industry.

So, I see no reason why properly priced, finished and working software shouldn't sell - especially if people really have to work to get it any other way. It's just one consumers view but I hope it gives some idea where some of us are coming from.

Comments welcomed from the developers working on the other thread on here - I'd love to hear what you think to these early morning musings.

Carpathian, faith in buying but only human.

seanmiguel 22 Jan 2003, 10:23

[quote="MemphisX"]I just always wanted to say that...
😃 😃 😃 😃 😃[/quote]

that is his opinion, and typing that post alone is already a big effort - i think the least we can do is respect that.

Hera 22 Jan 2003, 12:16

[quote="carpathian"]
What the internet has brought is the availability of this to the masses.
What used to be a few people in their bedrooms swapping things is now
open to anybody. I sit here in the UK being offered hacks from the other
side of the world - all within one mouse click. Who's isn't going to be
at least tempted ? We are only human after all.
[/quote]

Yes, I see. Why to pay money if you can not to pay. Nevertheless, i understand and don't blame ppl who use warez. You're are right, we all are humans, and it's not easy to ignore the program if you can see that you can get it absolutely for free. But I'm against ppl who distribute warez getting fame, money, etc on it. The easiest way to get some money on banners is to make warez site, you don't need even to work on website content. It looks like selling drugs. Using ppl weaknesses and getting money from it.

[quote="carpathian"]
There are many pieces of software out there - some big and some less so.
I downloaded trials and freeware and bought commercial software
(yes, bought) but found that many are still bugged or lacking in some
way. Many items install fine but leave files/folders behind when
removing them - and with only a limited disk space to start with
this is unforgivable. Surely basic testing could cure this ? Just
one example of why people would go for these free rather than pay.
Also the number of pieces of software makes it tough to get a genuine
view of which is the one you really want and very limited demos really
don't help this. You simply can't buy them all - it's not practical
and people will feel less likely to buy in the future if they feel
they've wasted their money on a sub-standard product. This is life
- not just in the software industry.
[/quote]

I understand your words about commercial softwares. Looks like buying a pig in a poke and that's why this can be valid reason of warez,
to show ppl what they are buying before purchase. But all our programs
(and not only ours) has trial versions working absolutely like registered ones and with only one limitation - trial period. Nevertheless, all our apps were cracked and placed on warez websites. So, I think you haven't described warez' prime cause.

[quote="carpathian"]
So, I see no reason why properly priced, finished and working software
shouldn't sell - especially if people really have to work to get it any other way.
[/quote]

I think very small amount of ppl will purchase the program having its cracked version.

carpathian 22 Jan 2003, 13:08

I agree with most of your reply - it's certainly not an easy situation to see a best answer to. I guess that if it was that easy it would have been sorted sometime over many years before Symbian even came out !

I agree about warez sites generating the wrong sort of "fame" though - "Robin Hood" these people are not !

You make a valid point regarding my comment on "trial versions" - I guess it is more because of human nature and pricing than maybe this part of things.

Maybe the main thing for you all to focus on is not new and extra protection methods but more to find a way to stop the Warez sites being so easy to find and use.

I see forums spouting rules and regulations regarding advertising warez but still containing many links or questions. This is, I guess, the "front line" to be stopped first ? If people can't find the "free" copies then they must be more likely to try the trial version and maybe purchase from there - the way it should be.

It's difficult because I can see this from both sides - I've worked as a programmer in the past and can see how bad it is to make software that people then swap for free - it devalues the effort put into the project.

However, I also know how tempting it is to download the full software in the same time as it takes to get the trial software. If people can do this easily then it increases the chances of it happening.

The problem is that the internet is now so much a part of everyday life that it's become almost impossible to police for things like this. Stop it in one place and it'll appear elsewhere the same day.

Thanks for the reply Hera - I'd be interested to hear more from you. I'm not sure anybody on here, or any other furum, can solve anything by this but it's interesting to see peoples views !

Carpathian.

P.S.