binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Tim Binder) (11/13/88)
In article <63213@ti-csl.CSNET> holland@m2.UUCP (Fred Hollander) writes: >In article <6127@netnews.upenn.edu> binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Tim Binder) writes: >> >>I'm currently doing this sort of thing in Dollars & Sense (1.4 I think), but >>the Mac interface sucks (i.m.h.o.) & I've already shelled out $50 in the >>past to upgrade it -- I'm not going to continue doing that, since the >>program is a bit beyond my needs ($50/update each time! c'mon guys!) >> >If you're talking about the upgrade to 1.4c, they owe you money. They >inadvertantly charged me about $57, when it was supposed to be $5. I called >customer service (followed by a letter) and was credited the difference. >I don't have the number handy, but if anyone else is in the same situation, >give them a call. > >Fred Hollander >Computer Science Center >Texas Instruments, Inc. >holland%ti-csl@csnet-rela Actually, my upgrade was from 1.0 or 1.1 to 1.4. Aren't they on 4.0 by now or something like that? My major problem here is that every single upgrade from Monogram (or whoever publishes it now) was $50 -- I was never notified of any that was less expensive (in fact I am no longer receiving mailings from them at all). While the upgrade I did pay for included some minor improvements, it seems to me that most of the upgrades I have seen do not make major improvements to functionality -- they are frequently bug fixes. I remember discussions here earlier regarding Apple's "obnoxious" upgrade policy, but here is one I believe to be worse. (Note: I am not trying to single out Monogram; many software publishers share this problem.) Software upgrades usually consist of a new set of disks and maybe a new manual. $50 is about 1/3 of what I paid originally for the program -- 3 upgrades (and they sometimes come out fairly frequently) and I could have bought a whole new program (and this does not even look at discount prices). I realize that work must be done on the software, but if I paid for the software already, I do believe that it should work with all Apple systems -- without significant additional charge to me. I remember when I had my Apple II & was using some wp software from On-Line Systems (Sierra Software later, I believe). Their policy was $5 for _any_ upgrade at _any_ time; $5 additional for the new manual -- an incredibly reasonable policy! Note that recently I HAVE been pleased by some upgrade policies; notably Suitcase II (great program Steve!). MacDraw II @ $100 was mostly reasonable, but MacWrite 5.0 and MacPaint 2.0 @ $25 a piece was ridiculous, especially considering the limits in both programs still. Just my thoughts on the topic. I hope I haven't repeated anything previous. (My point here, I hope, is to urge software vendors to consider their upgrade policies; not just to flame the vendors. I hope I have succeeded.) __ /\ \ Timothy M. Binder | "He's dead honey / \ \ binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu | 'cause Mommy / /\ \ \ CI$ 71106,1124 [but VERY rarely] | killed him." / / /\ \ \ | / / /__\_\ \ known in the SCA as | / / /________\ Gwydion Rhys ap Rhianwen | \/___________/ __ /\ \ Timothy M. Binder | "He's dead honey / \ \ binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu | 'cause Mommy / /\ \ \ CI$ 71106,1124 [but VERY rarely] | killed him." / / /\ \ \ | / / /__\_\ \ known in the SCA as | / / /________\ Gwydion Rhys ap Rhianwen | \/___________/
holland@m2.csc.ti.com (Fred Hollander) (11/14/88)
In article <6161@netnews.upenn.edu> binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Tim Binder) writes: >In article <63213@ti-csl.CSNET> holland@m2.UUCP (Fred Hollander) writes: >>In article <6127@netnews.upenn.edu> binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Tim Binder) writes: >>> >Actually, my upgrade was from 1.0 or 1.1 to 1.4. Aren't they on 4.0 by now or >something like that? My major problem here is that every single upgrade from >Monogram (or whoever publishes it now) was $50 -- I was never notified of any >that was less expensive (in fact I am no longer receiving mailings from them Yes, I was thrown off when you mentioned 1.4. I was referring to the upgrade to 4.1c, which was $5. And don't feel singled out because you don't get mailings. This was a "phone-in only" upgrade. >at all). While the upgrade I did pay for included some minor improvements, it >seems to me that most of the upgrades I have seen do not make major >improvements to functionality -- they are frequently bug fixes. I remember >discussions here earlier regarding Apple's "obnoxious" upgrade policy, but >here is one I believe to be worse. (Note: I am not trying to single out I don't want to stir up a debate, but, Apple's policy seems pretty good. Assuming the dealers cooperate, you can bring your old disks to them for a free upgrade. We don't need no stinkin' manuals! Fred Hollander Computer Science Center Texas Instruments, Inc. holland%ti-csl@csnet-rela The above statements are my own and not representative of Texas Instruments.
binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Tim Binder) (11/15/88)
In article <63397@ti-csl.CSNET> holland@m2.UUCP (Fred Hollander) writes (in response to a posting from me) >>at all). While the upgrade I did pay for included some minor improvements, it >>seems to me that most of the upgrades I have seen do not make major >>improvements to functionality -- they are frequently bug fixes. I remember >>discussions here earlier regarding Apple's "obnoxious" upgrade policy, but >>here is one I believe to be worse. (Note: I am not trying to single out > >I don't want to stir up a debate, but, Apple's policy seems pretty good. >Assuming the dealers cooperate, you can bring your old disks to them for a >free upgrade. We don't need no stinkin' manuals! Actually, I was referring to Apple's much debated hardware upgrade policy, especially having started with a 128K Mac. I agree that Apple's software policy is wonderful -- and with a Mac, you can print your own upgrade manuals! > >Fred Hollander >Computer Science Center >Texas Instruments, Inc. >holland%ti-csl@csnet-rela > >The above statements are my own and not representative of Texas Instruments. __ /\ \ Timothy M. Binder | "He's dead honey / \ \ binder@eniac.seas.upenn.edu | 'cause Mommy / /\ \ \ CI$ 71106,1124 [but VERY rarely] | killed him." / / /\ \ \ | / / /__\_\ \ known in the SCA as | / / /________\ Gwydion Rhys ap Rhianwen | \/___________/