CompuServe Messages

Perhaps I have a naive view of the whole thing, but I figure that if someone can write a good program in his spare time and figure it isn't good enough to put on the market, then certainly someone who writes software for a living can write something a _lot_ better and charge a reasonable price for it. Again, it's a matter of perceived value. I know people who will actually spend a lot of money on a less than adequate commercial program in preference to obtaining a PD offering that does a better job, just because "The PD one can't possibly be good or it would be on the market." Needless to say, I don't have a lot of respect for the customer or the software gouse when I see this happen. I really have grave misgivings about a company exploiting those that don't know any better. PD programs should serve as a yardstick for software houses, not as a crying towel to blame when an inferior, overpriced product doesn't sell. Basically, if they can't do better than the PD equivalent, perhaps they should look into the opportunities available in aluminum siding sales or restaurant franchises.