Re: OMG!

[wbdesnoy@acs5.acs.ucalgary.ca (Byron Desnoyers Winmill)]

Jeff Blakeney (CUTjefbla@bconnex.net) wrote:
: >> It would go up even more if the option to download it didn't exist.
: > How can you justify this assertion?

: It is really quite simple.

: Many people never stopped using their Apple IIs.

This would probably be the main market, since they never set their
interest in Apple II computers aside.  Alas, this is market is going
to remain constant or shrink.

: Many people are coming back to the Apple II now out of nostalgia
: or whatever.  Others are getting into the Apple II for the first time.

The problem being, Apple II software is generally difficult to find.
How many people pickup Apple II's and set them aside because they can
not find channels for Apple II software?  The Apple II would be less
visible without these piracy/nostalgia sites.  This issue is secondary
though, since determined users would find the software.

: This may be because they were always interested in the Apple II but
: could never afford one or whatever.

And here is the main problem: if you have people picking up Apple II's
because they are $5 a piece, how much software are they going to buy at
$10 a piece?  Much of the software from commercial software is much
more expensive than that.  I went into shock when I saw the price of
ProTerm.  You are suggesting a situation where the market would drive
up the price of used software.

I can imagine the II's heading to the dumpster already.

Thankfully there is a body of (true) free software for people who have
patience.

: In a perfect world, sites like Asimov wouldn't exist so these Apple II
: users would not be able to simply download the programs they want.

In a perfect world, copyrights would last long enough to protect the
author's privilage to financial gain; yet not quite so long that the
bulk of the software is destroyed, and people can not reap enjoyment
from the software any longer.

The problem is that existing copyright laws are designed for longer
lived media, such as books and films, which do not reflect the dizzying
pace of computers.

This is a matter of perspective.

: They would have to look for originals somewhere.  Be it from the
: copyright holder, a distributor with remaining stock, a thrift store,
: a yard sale, a post on comp.sys.apple2.marketplace, an eBay auction, a
: dumpster, et al.

One of my favourite sources for old software is a local second hand
store.  It is a rather reliable source, unlike thrift stores and yard
sales.  I also compete with the local market for software, rather than
a global one (unlike csa2.marketplace, and eBay).  Alas, no Apple II
software.  They haven't had any for years.

: As things are now, if I were to put my never opened, still
: shrinkwrapped, extra original of the game Renegade on eBay many of the
: people who might be potential bidders will simply go to (or have
: already gone to) Asimov and download it rather than trying to buy
: mine.

Unlikely.  A never opened box is more likely to attract collectors (who
do not care about the condition of the original media, but want the
complete distribution), than nostalgia seeking gamers.  Besides, it
does not directly benefit developers, who are the important people in
the picture.

: Does it make sense now?

No.

Byron.

: --
:  Jeff Blakeney - Dean of the Apple II Unversity on A2Central.com