On Thursday, October 19th, 1995 - Howard. Carson wrote:
 
HC> It is for both purposes. It certainly gives an deep insight into how
HC> Dan and Rick conceived the development of NeoDesk, where problems
HC> developed because of unforseeable future needs, and so on. It is
HC> also reputed to be a terrific programmer's tool. Contact Gribnif
HC>    
 
So, you haven't used it yourself then, I gather?
 
HC> I've already caught a couple (they were *very* surprised that anyone
HC> would take the time to hunt 'em down). Quite frankly, I am a
 
I am amazed you were able to accomplish this.  Tell me, when you
reported them to the authorities, what sort of response did you get?
 
HC> Your comment about customer support might be appropriate in some
HC> other milieu. In the TOS/GEM marketplace however, the comment is
 
Okay, well, then don't offer customer support, I guess.  ?
 
HC> somewhat inaccurate. How does one enhance legitimate sales, Rodney?
 
Add more features and then hype hype hype.  Direct mail to your current
customers is one idea.
 
HC> Certainly not via conventional means. While my (Current Notes)
HC> partner and I provide a viable advertising vehicle for TOS/GEM
HC> developers and retailers, the vast majority of TOS/GEM users are
HC> exceedingly hard to reach: the vast majority are not online, the
 
No kidding.  Which is why I think publications like Current Notes would
be well advised to rent their mailing list to Atari programmers wishing
to do direct mail advertising.
 
HC> piece of software that can be updated, for pete's sake. Sooner or
HC> later, products reach the natural end of their development life. The
 
Supposedly yes.  This rule of thumb doesn't seem to affect MS-DOG or
Windblows.  Wish it would.  :-)
 
HC> utter some 'threat', or impose some restrictions on the
HC> dissemination of their work.
 
I didn't say you shouldn't utter threats.  Utterance of threats is
standard fare for software publishers.  I just thought you might better
spend your time thinking of new advertising and in writing new code
rather than playing copyright detective.  However, if you find the
latter more fulfilling, then by all means go to it, and enjoy.
 
HC> marketplace. Rest assured however . . . going nuts isn't a
HC> possiblity. =%D aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
 
I don't have to worry about going nuts either because I'm already there.
blbubpblbublbpublpbublplublbplublbublbubublu...  :-)
 
HC> And what constitutes a 'small price'? $5? $10? $20? There are no
 
Yeah, $5.  And if it is a really huge program $10.  And if it is a thing 
with big printed documentation, like a language compiler, then $20 or
even more.
 
HC> the vast majority of developers, such an approach is tantamount to
HC> outright suicide. 
 
Well, by that I guess it is all futile so why bother writing any Atari
programs whatsoever?
 
--- RiBBS v2.10        

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