Re: Is free software good for developers?
- From: "B Faux" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 20:20:14 GMT
"Kevin Powick" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:xn0ejiwaf30o417001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[...]
Do you think that free, as in no cost, software is good for developers
and the software market in general?
Even though many Open Source (OS) products are zero cost, this is not
intended as an OS debate.
My personal take on it is that free software is not necessarily a good
thing.
I can think of no other industry where this happens. You would never
have a group of people providing free cars, houses, or food.
The idea of completely free software is somewhat flawed and, IMO, hurts
the software industry by stifling innovation and stunting the
creation/growth of solid and reliable software companies.
Sorry if this seems like a rant, but I just had a customer tell me
today that he thought one of my products was a "little" expensive
($1,500), especially considering some of the free alternatives out
there. Of course, not 20 minutes earlier, he was beaming about the
$400,000 they just dropped on a new machine for their assembly line
that will give them an edge over their competition.
Software gets no respect.
--
Kevin Powick
Kevin -
Sadly, this is true, however it is largely a case of semantics. In the
past, MV applications were sold with an up front cost, with the support
provided as a separate charge/contract. Because many applications (the
better ones) rarely broke, the customers stopped paying for support they did
not need - like canceling their flood insurance because they live on a
mountain. Then these same people were appalled to learn that their former
vendor was no longer around five years later when they really needed them.
Fast forward, we stopped selling support contracts and began requiring
license renewals instead, and BTW minimal support comes free with the
license renewal. Then if they don't pay, the software stops working - if
they need it (and they usually do) they will pay - if they don't need it
then they will stop paying.
For FREE software, you could ask the customer this:
- Do you believe that you, or anyone currently working for you could make
that free stuff actually work?
- If they say yes, then wish them luck and mention that you would be willing
to fix it later for them for say $3,000 or so.
- They might say, But you were going to charge me half that!
- To which you reply, Yes I am willing to implement a solution I know will
work for the price I quoted, and I will stand behind it (even guarantee it),
but you won't get that assurance from the Free Stuff!
So then it becomes a question of, do they really *need* what they ask
for -or- are they just trying to grind you down on price? I suspect the
later, point out to this customer that he isn't likely to put a minimum wage
punk in charge of his shiny new $400K machine either.
4 cents (or more)
BFaux
.
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- Is free software good for developers?
- From: Kevin Powick
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