CompuServe Messages

Hi Stan, I'd like your thoughts on the following. I am an industrial chemist who would like to learn a little something about modelling and would also like to use a good program to do some actual work, starting with small systems and working up. However Hyperchem is way too expensive for a private individual and as an industrial chemist it is almost impossible to persuade the very cost conscious people "above" me to get this product. I could afford it if I could buy at the academic price but not at the industrial. In my opinion: 1.) Real value has yet to come the desk top as far as molecular modelling is concerned. Most packages out there are (for the PC) are toys, I mean , really… runs in 640K (MOBY) , one force field, limited number of atoms, BAD (DOS !!!) graphics , or …. (Chem-X form Chem Design)… rediculously expensive (4 x 4000 per year), cant use extended memory (PC Model… unless something has changed big time)…. 2.) Autodesk, I believe has severly misunderstood the market for this package. I have some indirect evidence for this in that discussion with certain people from that company I have been informed that they have made poor headway in industrial sales… at 5X the academic price , no wonder. They are too elitist and far too insular… too influenced by their succcess with autocad…. 3.) Some numbers: at $ 100 evryone would buy… thats coffee money. $300.. almost everyone would buy even as individuals, $500 … everyone who understands what their getting will buy. $750.. some will try to shop around but if the product is really superior those in the know and who are serious will still buy , but delay their purchase.. 70-80 % of indiv will still purchase from own budget. NOW…. 900 here hard resistance and non linear sets in and individual purchasers will drop out to the 50% level and some will sacrifice features for a 500 package instead. 1000– this is getting really expensive for a PC package serious will go for it but delay purchase.