CompuServe Thread

#BB Software

11 messages in this thread
#93197From: Mathew MowerMar 26, 1993 10:13 AM
I have a XT BB but no software. Does anyone know where I can get that software? Will a local dealer be able to make copies for me? It's pretty useless without the software! Thanks for the help! Matt
#93226From: Robert HayesMar 26, 1993 4:02 PM
You can buy the software from your local dealer. If he makes copies it is piracy and he and you can go to jail (not like you'd get caught, but it is illegal).
#93488From: Mathew MowerMar 29, 1993 12:54 PM
Robert, That is one of the stupidest policies that I've ever heard of!!!!!! What the crap good is the software without the BB? For that matter, what the heck use is a BB without the software? I should be able to get software to run the hardware product, after all, the software is of no bennifit without the BB hardware. I could understand buying a package from the dealer if I wanted manuals but I don't. I'm not trying to attack you Robert, but if that is the official policy, it SUCKS!!!!!!!!! thanks for the reply Matt
#93521From: Robert HayesMar 29, 1993 8:10 PM
The BB and the software are generally sold together; updates to the software are sold separately for people who already have the hardware. If you bought your bridgeboard from a dealer new, the software should have come along with it. If you got it used, the person you bought it from should have provided it.
#93545From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMar 30, 1993 12:02 AM
Mathew, No, it's not a stupid policy. It's the normal policy for any software publisher. The BridgeBoard hardware comes with the proper software as part of the package. If you didn't get the software, you got cheated by whomever you bought the BB from…Commodore didn't cheat you. Commodore upgrades their software on occasion and they charge for the upgrades. The BridgeBoard software is available as a separate package; which for you may be your original software set…but for just about everyone else, it's an upgrade. To do as you suggest…distribute the software for free because you didn't receive it when you got your BB would be stupid. Because it would assume that every person out there was totally honest and wouldn't ever ask for a software update for free by claiming they never got their software when they got their BB. Don
#93583From: Vic WagnerMar 30, 1993 1:28 PM
Mathew, Do you berate the automobile company for not supplying you with the gas for the car? Do you believe all SW should be free?
#93714From: Mathew MowerMar 31, 1993 12:49 PM
Vic, I'm always entertained to see the fanatical lengths that people will go to try to make a point. I don't even see the correlation. If the car had been originally sold with gas (that never ran out!, Software doesn't) then I would expect that if I had a car and no gas, I would be able to get the version of gas that had originally been sold with it. I don't have a problem with paying for an upgraded gas. But that is *not* what I'm looking for. I just want the original gas to see if the car is worth the trouble. What good is the gas(*hardware dependant*) if you don't have a car? Macintosh owners have been able to get *hardware dependant software* eg. OS, for years for free if they didn't want docs. This has always encouraged users to upgrade the OS to recieve added functionality & maintain compatability. With the last 7.1 release of software, Mac owners have had to pay. There has been a tremendous backlash and many will never upgrade to 7.x from 6.x for this reason. To the Macs detriment, they now have a fractured OS community. Does that sound familiar? Does system 1.3 & 2.0.4 & 2.0.5 & 2.1 & 3.0 ring any bells? Perhaps both Apple and C= could learn some lessons from this. Once again *HARDWARE DEPENDANT SOFTWARE* sold, packaged, exclusively for & not upgrade, intergrated parts of the same unit! Matt
#93827From: Marion J DelandApr 1, 1993 1:02 PM
The person who sold (gave?) you the Bridgeboard should have included the software. But dealers can generally get it. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for the Bridgeboard, etc.
#93828From: Marion J DelandApr 1, 1993 1:07 PM
Also, the XT comes with its 360K 5.25" drive. Did you not get that either? Without it, you can't get access to disks–the XT Bridgeboard doesn't boot from Amiga disks. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for the Bridgeboard, etc.
#93922From: Mathew MowerApr 2, 1993 9:37 AM
Marion, I already had a 360K 5.25" drive that was collecting dust. I guess I shouldn't complain, I got BB for next to nothing if I could get it working and I can take it back if I can't. The person from whom I got it had no idea what it was till I told him. I guess it'll be going to the junk pile because I'm not willing to pay for a 2.1 janus kit when it may not work any way! I've seen some info on 386BB from Safe Harbor. Maybe I should do that instead. My biggest complaint is that when I have a PC video board that needs a new driver, all I have to do is pick up the phone and I have never paid for a upgrade on one of those. It's a hardware software combo and the manufacture gets his money on the initial purchase and software upgrades a nominal at worst because he knows that he has to maintain compatability with the industry. But, maybe C= isn't worried with that (hiding under desk)! 8) Matt
#94278From: Marion J DelandApr 5, 1993 8:05 PM
The guy who sold you the BB would have had the software at some point. But you're right–at the current prices on the 386 BB, it's a much better deal. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for the Bridgeboard, etc.