Re: Authors' rights (Was- R

From: Greg Elin <elin[_at_]interport.net>
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 10:10:26 -0400 (EDT)

At 02:29 PM 4/5/96 Martha Luehrmann wrote:

>

> Some have pointed to software as an area where you get a lot of
> creative activity despite (until lately) fairly weak protection. But
> compare professional programs with the offerings of freeware and
> shareware. The latter two are frequently rougher, cruder, more
> bug-prone, less user-friendly, and have fewer features. Not only
> that, they also show a singular lack of originality. Most are
> knock-offs of the features and user interface of the professional
> programs. Even in the realm of software, lack of strong protection
> does not lead to a glorious renaissance of creativity.

I agree with you that compensation is a motivator. However, not everyone's compensation is monetary.

With respect to software, some of the most innovative software products started and/or evolved in the shareware environment including: the world wide web, fetch, Linux, Zip, CU-SeeMe, Mosiac, Eudora, desktop accessories, the original listserve and majordomo software, just to name a few (correct me if I am wrong).

People quickly recognize they can make money, and in our culture, for good and bad reasons, turn professional very quickly. Without question, when I purchase shrinked wrapped software I am purchasing the value-added service of *lots* of testing and research.

---

Greg Elin
elin[_at_]interport.net

Travel the American Internet from Silicon Alley to Silicon Valley:

                   http://www.totalny.com/live/ge

Received on Fri Apr 12 1996 - 14:14:23 GMT