Re: Apple II Sound.. sponsor the project!

[Cyrus Roton <croton@ridgecrest.ca.us>]

Although it is true that too many users do not pay the shareware fee for 
programs they use, there is another BIG reason why Apple II shareware does 
not make much money. There are so few users who want or need any new 
software. Most of them have what they need (usually AppleWorks), and 
their interest in using the computer does not extend past that.

 Those voices complaining about the lack of new software are mainly the 
relatively few dedicated users and the new users who have no software 
(and do not know where to find any).

Another factor is that so much of the shareware is in the form of 
utilities, CDEVs, INITs, and other add-ons which require the user to have 
considerable experience and capability. Most users are not very 
knowledgeable about computers. They need "stand-alone, user-friendly" 
applications. 

I acquired a sound program (might be yours) and evaluated it for my user 
group library. So far, not one member has expressed any desire to get 
anything from the library. I did not pay the fee because I do not use 
that sound program (nor any other).

It is frustrating when you spend a lot of effort in developing software, 
only to find out that no one seems interested in it (at least, judging 
from the lack of response, and lack of payment). I have had the same 
experience. If only there were some way to know how many people tried the programs and wanted to use them.

But, please do not give up. The Apple II users of the world need people 
like you, even though few of us act appreciative.

Cyrus Roton
Ridgecrest Apple User Group