Re: What's It All About, Ian?

[bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman)]

In <CCqyMo.FMH@news.iastate.edu> irsman@iastate.edu (Ian Schmidt) writes:

>In article <2655l0$802@meaddata.meaddata.com> johnt@meaddata.com (John Townsend) writes:
>>
>>Geez, $25 for 12 issues is pretty damn close to free.  I see "freeware" selling
>>for more than that.  Think of it this way:  the information IS free; you're

>huh?  we have a definition problem here.  "freeware" is free.  honest.  you
>pay nothing, just the author keeps the copyright.

Ian, I think we have a classic "is the glass half full or half empty" here.

If you look at each of the 12 issues as a full disk of freeware software,
and you went to download these 12 disks of freeware from a source such
as ci$, or aol, or applelink, you would spend more than $25 in online
charges downloading them. In fact you might spend more like $50 or more
for the online time, but the programs would still be freeware, right???
Then assuming you placed the downloaded software onto 3.5 disks, you would
have another few dollars invested in the so called freeware.. 

So in viewing the glass the other way, could we get away with saying that
the publication is freeware, but it costs $25 for Joe to download it to
you via first class mail, and that the paper it is printed on is equal to
the cost of the disks you would put the program on?? Still a bargin for
a total of $25, even if you never partake in any of the money savings
deals SSII is going to offer over the 12 issues.

I can't speak for Joe, and I don't know if he is a sporting guy, but if
it were me, I'd make you a freeware offer. I'd say, ok Ian, I'll make
it freeware just for you. I will upload each issue to your applelink or
compuserve account at no charge to you.. But you will of course have to
pay the online time to download them..... ah yes, true freeware as you
want it defined... Such a deal!!!!

P.S. no copouts allowed, such as having free time or free accounts on
the chosen service.. :-)

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