CompuServe Messages

>> “Concisely, I would prefer one price on each piece of software…'' Well I would agree with that, no problem there as long as its fairly priced to begin with.<< John, By offering different prices I was responding to a general dissatisfaction I sense from many 3D users about the high cost of most commercial models. I run a large 3D user group in the LA area and have gotten impressions from many people on this subject. To give a crude example, it seems a bit unfair to charge a company like ILM the same price for a model to use in a theatrical release, as you would a small home video producer doing industrial work. I think different licensing is an appropriate way to deal with this. I realize that a tiered system is more confusing and difficult to enforce than a flat rate, and this in itself could derail my plans, but I'm determined to give it a try so many more users will have an opportunity to work with my models, than would be possible with simply one exorbitant flat rate. If the model sets were not aimed at such a small niche, and I could draw customers from a much larger base, then it might be feasible to go with a lower flat rate for all users. But since these models will, at least for now, be used primarily for highly specialized purposes, I think a system of pricing that's more adapted to the way the models will be used is needed, at least for the foreseeable future. I think this plan is actually quite progressive, and beneficial for both users and Crestline. By offering a pricing structure that's more responsive, there will be more flexible ways for users to support my work. This, in turn, should allow me to get higher-quality models into their hands more rapidly than if I were to wait until there was a broad enough market for the models at a lower overall flat-rate. Hopefully this will strengthen the market for commercial model sets. -Tim (P.S. Until I bone up a little on my economics, I think I'm going to have to leave the questions of anti-collectivist monopolies to you Bob, and Greg for now. <g>)