Re: Word Perfect for the Apple II and IIGS now FREEWARE!

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

cturley@wco.com wrote:
>I tried to reconfirm my original information by return calls to the
>Order Center, as before...and had no luck. Each time I called back to
>the tool-free number (I mentioned in the original post) I'd get a
>different person and a different story, refering me to another number
>and/or dept.  Looks like I really jumped the gun on the original post
>without the proper proof to back it up. I hope you can get conclusive
>PROOF that it's a freeware and if not that you can arrange for it to
>be classified as such.
>
>I trust you can believe me, as what I posted was true and correct,
>according to what I was told by the rep. from the Order Center of
>Corel.  But, little good it does with no name to back up the original
>authorizations from the Order Center rep.  No, name was furnished and
>no written confirmation either was obtained. Like I said, I took the
>word of some rep. as being a final authorization, and should not have
>done so.
>
>Sorry for any confusion or problems caused with my original post. I
>assure everybody my intentions were only good with this effort and I
>hope all of the others that can obtain conclusive proof of the status
>and/or actually provide some method to make it's release as freeware
>legal and swift, will do so!  I've done all I care to with the matter.

I believe you.  I called the number and my rep. basically said that
they provided support for owners of software that was bought from
them only.  I explained that I do own a copy of the PC version and
had the Apple version at one time and that the previous publisher
of the software, WordPerfect corp., published an Apple II and an
Apple IIgs version.  After some minutes on hold, I was told that
they do have the rights to all versions of WP and that I had
permission to obtain a copy of the GS version if I had the PC version.
I said that people on usenet were saying that Corel had released
the software as copyrighted, but freely distributable to which she
replied that that was probably true considering the version is no
longer sold, but that I should check with clp@corel.com.  I forgot
to ask for her name.

There seems to be some uncertainty within Corel about the status
of the software.  If you own a copy of a version that they still
sell, they seem to be more helpful.  :)

Seeing the negative reaction and beating myself over the head for
my stupidity at not asking for a name, I didn't want to post this,
but your reply made me reconsider.

I hope that you will not stop bugging the company to give you a firm
answer on paper.  It is only because you have bugged them this far
that they've agreed, at least unofficially, to release the software.
I suggest that we all contact Corel and make known our desire for
a written authorization.

Some months ago when Medley was authorized to be distributed as
freeware, there were doubters too.  But the truth remained and a
written (email) statement was finally obtained.  Milliken is a
much smaller company than Corel, so of course it was easier to
straighten things out.  This is all the more reason we should
try harder to do so.

I will post any authorization I recieve and hope that others will
do the same.  We CAN see this thing through to the end.

-Scott G.