Commercial, shareware, freeware, and open source stuff, or, watch out I'm ranting

JordanMills · 07-15-03, 05:21 PM

Why are so many PPC developers enamored of for-pay software? From what I understand, Palm has a lot more free software available for the platform. Even some companies (Physicians Desk Reference, I believe) offer free versions for palm, but charge for the PPC version of the same software. May I offer a big fat WTF?

I don't have the cash to drop ten dollars to try out everyones latest idea. I probably won't use it enough to make it worth the cost. To that point, too many people are writing activation and phone-home garbage into their programs. Where do you get off hijacking something else without permission?

Point is, why don't people try to do something to benefit the community? Stuff would be a lot more useful if we weren't in a lockdown arms race for profit. Post up some freeware or open source. You'll feel good about it.

Ohayden · 07-15-03, 06:20 PM

People like you are the ones who make it hard for me to make a living. Please excuse me for trying to make a living. Yes I develop software. Yes I feel that I should be paid for it. As far as paying for trying... you are so wrong. Demos are out there and if a package doesn't have a demo then I suggest looking else where.

As far as activation / phone-home... talk to M$. They are setting the stardard. Look at XP. Look at Win2K3. Look as MS TS. Even look futher and see why developers are doing it. You tell me how many priated copies of software are out on the net?

Tell you what. When YOU decide to work for FREE, I'll consider it too.

Besides there are TONS of freeware / open source software for the PPC. Instead of ranting, learn to use google.com.

A few suggestions and there are MANY more:
http://sourceforge.net/
http://www.pocketpcsoft.net/php/freeware.php
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/2001-...ml?tag=stbc.gp

/end of rant.

07-15-03, 06:48 PM

I'm not a software developer, but sympathize and agree with the points that Ohayden made. I try demos when available, buy when I have to, and otherwise use freeware or get by without. Most of the PPC software is pretty inexpensive from what I've seen.

JordanMills · 07-15-03, 08:17 PM

In my experience (and just last week I was analyzing statistical packages for analysis of medical research data in the line of my day job) demos do no work like the full version is supposed to. Of the half dozen or so packages I looked at, not one of the demos worked. I contacted all the publishers, and the three that got back to me assured me that while the demo won't work for my systems, the full version definately will, just send them my money. Sure.

I use windows 2000 (SP3 until last week) at the day job, and Windows XP and Office XP at the day job and home, and have never once had to activate anything. I wouldn't use it if it did. All my software is legally licensed.

Tell YOU what. Look at my web page. http://www.jordanmills.com/. Check out the last couple of lines. I have coded killers for several very expensive applications out there, and they're all GPL. Free source and everything at your fingertips. I've had this company for a couple of years now. So, considering? Oh, and before you say something about nonexistant tech support, the email I sent immedately before reading your reply was the latest in a user who a, reported a bug to me (that got fixed in five minutes) and b, wanted to make one of my programs do something it wasn't made to do, but I'm helping him do it.

I've searched google. Probably more than you. I can't find what I need that I know will work. "Inexpensive" doesn't cut it. I'm tired of being nickled and dimed for shoddy software.

Ohayden · 07-15-03, 11:11 PM

If you dumb enough to deal with a company that can't give you a working demo... then it looks like your trying to work with un-established packages / companies.

Haven't you heard? You get what you pay for! IF your such the app killer developer, then why haven't you wrote the package you want already? Hmmm... couldn't be since it takes TIME and MONEY. If it doesn't merit you paying for it then why should someone put together a package that you won't buy. Yes... free is cool. Nothing wrong with free... EXCEPT... it's NEVER free. Someone spent time on it. Someone worked their butt off to make a working app. So.. someone paid for it. If you want to base a business off of FREE software... then all the power to you. There will be cons though. You won't always get timely support. You won't always get updates and patches. If only a few people are using your product then I guess you could spend 5 minutes to fix a bug. When you get to the volume of bugs / calls I handle then we can talk about FREE. I think you might reconsider your stance on FREE.

That said. There is nothing wrong with FREE. Well hell, even this forum is based on FREE software. I love freeware. But I don't expect there be freeware for everything out there! Especially an industry specific package.

And as far as XP... yes it does require activation. So much for your pwned google skillz. The only way to get around activation is through open licensing, which I highly doubt you have at home.

Want Proof?: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...activation.asp

Hmmm.. so much for your credibility. No sense in arguing with you if your going to lie.

EDIT: Not to be a jerk or anything, but I didn't see any "killer" apps offered on your website. A few scripts... but no killer apps. You got me curious... I want to see some of these GPLed killer apps.

daximx5 · 07-15-03, 11:29 PM

Umm...just wanted to point out...these forums are built on vbulletin, which to my understanding, is over 100 dollars.

Ohayden · 07-15-03, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by daximx5
Umm...just wanted to point out...these forums are built on vbulletin, which to my understanding, is over 100 dollars.

Not a problem. You are 100% right. I like to point out that vBulletin is based on PHP and the back end is MySQL, which are both freeware. That's the freeware I'm talking about, but yes you are right the actual boards are not freeware. Although a good alternative is PhpBB. I like their format and it's very fast. It also uses PHP and MySQL.

daximx5 · 07-15-03, 11:41 PM

hehe...also wanted to say I support you programmers completely...even though my highest level of programming language is Ti-Basic for the TI graphing calcs lol...

daximx5 · 07-15-03, 11:43 PM

Oh and about Phpbb...I completely agree with you...I use that and IPB...both pretty similar in speed and IPB alsu uses PHP and MySql

jeepfaned · 07-15-03, 11:55 PM

im with jordanm on the "buy it1st" thing...how many times have we bought a program...game..app..or something for work or organization...and after buying it...find out its either crap or not what the website talks it up to be?? i found that way to much with my old hp620..thinking i was buying a $10 or $20 program and it would be real good...then realize i was suckered. BUT jordan...and the rest...i see a simple solution...like on clickgamer or pocketgear...why not offer a free full version of the program for 7 or 14 days...AND to ohayden...i agree with you that you SHOULD get paid for what you work hard on...and if a program you put out is really worthy of someone paying for it....prove it to them by offering a limited free full version for 7-14 days...u catch more flies with honey...
so,,freeware is great,and the programmer should get paid
so,like in the old days when a guy wanted to sell his product he would offer something more to the customer then the other guy...to prove his product was better...flash forward to today...offer me a full free trial...get me hooked on your product..i feel confident in what i have,trial time is up...i know what im getting into...so..i buy it...u dont buy a car without test driving it 1st do you?????
and thats my 2 cents!

jeepfaned · 07-16-03, 12:13 AM

ohayden.....i see you too are a musclehead!!! sweet beef machines you have there!!
check out my old baby!!
http://ezed.lovemyoldhome.com/
the pics are old,a little dark...not alot of time to work on doctoring computer pics!!

ravager · 07-16-03, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeepfaned
ohayden.....i see you too are a musclehead!!! sweet beef machines you have there!!
check out my old baby!!
http://ezed.lovemyoldhome.com/
the pics are old,a little dark...not alot of time to work on doctoring computer pics!!

Nice cars! I sure don't see the fascination with the new "Fast and The Furious" type. I long for my old Firebird Formula 400.

Back on topic, best shareware I have ever tried (and purchased)on Palm or PPC platform had FULL working demos. (except Shadowplan limited the amount of information you could use)

Rav

Ohayden · 07-16-03, 08:28 AM

I agree with you jeepfaned. I would never buy a product without seeing its full potential. I perfer the demos that are completely opened and fully functional with a XX times to run or XX amount of days. A perfect example is the TV Remote software from PDAWin.com. It's 100% functional and open for X amount of runs. It was perfect for us to try to see if it would work for our equipment before we bought it. I firmly believe all software should be this way.

Ohayden · 07-16-03, 08:36 AM

Jeepfaned,

That's one nice 'stang you got there! That will be my next project. I'm slow when it comes to my cars. I do all the work myself and I'm very picky :D. I love all old cars. I also have a 53 series 210 deluxe (belair). The 53 is my daily, the 68 my weekend, and the 67... well... it's just a plain old toy. I got the 67 upto 500+ hp on a small block 350.

I really like that fastback though. That is exactly what I want... except I want a 351 winsor :D.

JordanMills · 07-16-03, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ohayden
I agree with you jeepfaned. I would never buy a product without seeing its full potential. I perfer the demos that are completely opened and fully functional with a XX times to run or XX amount of days. A perfect example is the TV Remote software from PDAWin.com. It's 100% functional and open for X amount of runs. It was perfect for us to try to see if it would work for our equipment before we bought it. I firmly believe all software should be this way.

The demos I'm talking about (at least two of the stats packages specifically) are supposedly time limited full versions. But they don't work. And there's no need to resort to ad hominem attacks - I am neither dumb nor the purchasee of such shoddy software.

Again with the ad hominem attacks about my licensing at home. You really are demonstrating your ignornace. I most certainly do have open licensing at home. I do everything on my business computers (no time for games or other personal stuff, so don't wail on me about tax deductions). I need no google skills, I'll just call my MS rep.

Think of the difference between me and you as the difference between a typical community college instructor and a university professor with respect to teaching undergraduates. While they both may have the same training, the community college instructor tends to get paid less and have less opportunity for kickbacks. That tends to mean that they're there because they like teaching, and will deliver a higher quality education for it. The typical university professor has more opportunity for fame and cash, and will do the bare minimum of undergraduate teaching that is required to keep up the cash flow. Can you place us?