Re: OMG!

[Howe Family <khowe@omninet.net.au>]

In article <9cgh6r$1kq6$1@newssvr06-en0.news.prodigy.com>, "Kelli 
Halliburton" <kelli217@crosswinds.not> wrote:

> The reality is, in these days of 0 effective market, what is at best a
> hobbyist interest, and the existence of the FSF and the GPL, the Apple II
> platform simply cannot economically sustain any new development. 

What makes you so sure there is 0 effective market? I think perhaps 
people come to that conclusion because they hang out here and think it's 
the centre of the Apple II universe. comp.sys.apple2 isn't the centre of 
the A2 universe, it's a back alley leading to the sewer. The centre of 
the Apple II universe is, strangely enough called A2Central.com. There 
is more happening on A2Central in the average day than occurs in the 
average week here. There have been a number of successful software 
releases in the past year, but unfortunately, most of those hanging out 
here are more interested in what they can steal than supporting current 
development.

Those
> authors who have continued their efforts to provide the community with 
> new
> applications, utilities, operating systems, and games are to be commended
> for their loyalty and enthusiasm, 

Thank you very much.

> but to be chided for expecting monetary
> compensation for their efforts. 

I don't expect to make my fortune writing software for the Apple II, but 
should I be chided just because I release something as shareware? To me, 
perhaps all I get is enough to buy another piece of software, or treat a 
friend to a month's access to A2Central.com, but if people think my 
programs are worth it, who are you to chide me for asking a small fee?

> I'm not saying they should expect piracy, 
> or
> give in to it -- I'm saying they were foolhardy to attempt any sort of
> commercial release, even including shareware, and expect to reap any 
> revenue
> from it, much less actually turn a profit. IMHO, of course.
> 

When you talk down the Apple II market, like you have done in this and 
your previous couple of posts, you do hurt those who are producing 
software for the Apple II. A certain number of people will listen to 
you, and decide to not pay the shareware fees. Hey, it may be only lunch 
at MacDonalds, but why deprive us of it?

If you really are interested in the Apple II and its future, you should 
pay your $10 and try joining A2Central.com for a month. I think you 
would be very surprised to see how much is going on. The Apple II isn't 
finished yet, as long as people enjoy using it and creating for it. How 
about being part of those who build it up, instead of pulling it down.

Kim Howe
khowe@omninet.net.au
To view my current Apple II programs see
http://www.a2central.com/~kimhowe