CompuServe Messages

>> One could argue that Microsoft doesn't "make" anything either. << First reply–Microsoft makes $MONEY. Second reply–I manufacture software and it is definitely a tangible product. I have compared it to the wares of a prostitute in that you can sell it and still keep it. However, the manufacture of it is no less tangible than the manufacture of food (for example). The "food" happens because of all the work which goes into the preliminary preparation. The soil, sunshine and rain are there after the food is harvested and sold, so the farmer can make some more next year. Nonetheless, food is a valuable product which is used by every living person. Software is not as requisite as food, but it does provide a way for people to do things better, faster and easier (some of it anyway) or to be entertained. In this regard, it is a product. The develop- ment of software is as taxing as planting and harvesting (though not as physical) and the manufacture and distribution is costly, time consuming and difficult. Trust me. Regarding my comment about 3DO, I have to renege…as a purveyor of hardware design myself (at times) I must consider this a "product." 3DO has created a design but is offering it to others to manufacture; I can readily understand (as can Steve Jobs these days) why one would avoid the up-front capital expenditures on a hi-tech mfg line for such a speculative product.