On Thu, 13 May 2004, Phil Thane wrote:
Hello,
<snip>
What is the general feeling about non-gpl software for Linux? Our software is written in C++ and as I understand it, not being a programmer, it could be re-compiled (with some effort) but we're never going to be giving it away. Our business model is we sell software (and CNC machines) then provide free tech support, sometimes for decades. Changing to free software and expensive support would seriously upset our established customers.
Would you need to change the deal for your established customers? Just change it for new ones. Investment companies do this all the time. The original customers signed up for perpetual support after all, so you shouldn't (couldn't?) change the rules for them.
School budgets being the strange things they are you could almost guarantee that when something goes wrong, or new, in-experienced staff arrive and need help, there is nothing in the 'support' budget. Our way means that once the budget has been approved and the software and kit bought, that's it. It may be old-fashioned but it works for us, and seems to suit our customers.
You should be able to adapt the way you charge to fit with this; for example, be prepared to charge up front for (almost perpetual?) support. The trick is to keep the TCO unchanged, and as far as possible keep the same payment plan too. However it's not clear to me what business advantage there would be in making your software Free. Perhaps it would be easier for users to try before buying support? On the other hand there doesn't seem to be a big risk: I don't think you'd lose a lot of revenue from 'freeloaders' -- it looks like your software is of limited use without a CNC machine to drive. Bob Gautier Ateb Limited
Regards, Phil Thane - Support Manager
TechSoft UK Ltd. Falcon House Royal Welch Avenue Bodelwyddan Denbighshire LL18 5TY UK Phone (+44) (0) 1745 535007 Fax (+44) (0) 1745 535008 Email phil@techsoftuk.co.uk
Regards,
Phil Thane - Support Manager
TechSoft UK Ltd. Falcon House Royal Welch Avenue Bodelwyddan Denbighshire LL18 5TY UK
Phone (+44) (0) 1745 535007 Fax (+44) (0) 1745 535008 Email phil@techsoftuk.co.uk
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