CompuServe Thread

Terminus – SWREG

23 messages in this thread
#139930From: Steve SetzerApr 20, 1994 7:32 PM
Jack I second that request for SWREG via CIS. …Steve ====>>> Motorola 68030 Inside <<<====
#140440From: Paul DowgewiczApr 23, 1994 9:38 PM
Does anyone know how much of a cut CIS takes out of any SWREG money? Maybe that could have an influence on how much money authors get. Of course that could easily be offset by the impulse buyers out there. Paul
#140490From: Chris LesterApr 24, 1994 7:35 AM
SysOp Steve knows… but he ain't talking! (With as many AP downloads as he's had, with at least half of those registered, I wouldn't be talking either! <g>) Chris – Fast and Low on my '020! …Is it significant that my spell checker doesn't know "Intel"?
#140514From: Robert LittleApr 24, 1994 2:16 PM
I don't think Steve's made quite that much. I've incremented that download count 4 or 5 times, but I only paid once. I'm sure that other others have done so, even more. But, he still ain't talking! Robb
#140565From: Chris LesterApr 24, 1994 5:31 PM
I want to say that AP has over 5000+ downloads to it. Now, count the number of upgrades in there, plus the number of multiple downloads, with say 3 attempts per average user… that's…. (I'm just doing this, wondering what Steve thinks of us trying to estimate his worth! <g,r,&d>) Chris – Fast and Low on my '020! …Is it significant that my spell checker doesn't know "Intel"?
#140613From: Robert LittleApr 24, 1994 9:22 PM
<G> I just don't think Steve could afford a Lambourghini, like Jim Drew (with Emplant), from his AP sales. I'm sure AP has netted him a bit of dough, though. In addition to registered users downloading multiple times, you have to consider all the people who download and don't register. Robb PS. You'd think we'd get his goat here, at some point, enough for him to stop in and talk about CI$'s cut on SWREG, wouldn't ya? PPS. I've never it said before, but I really like your tag line. PPPS. I just read Steve's post to Andre on this subject…never mind.
#140633From: Chris LesterApr 24, 1994 10:04 PM
>>I really like your tagline. True humor is rooted in truth. Have you tried to get Intel by FC2's spellchecker? <g> When I think of it, it's getting changed, but just slightly! Chris – Fast and Low on my '020! …Is it significant that my spell checker doesn't know "Intel"?
#140560From: Andre LackmannApr 24, 1994 5:03 PM
> Does anyone know how much of a cut CIS takes out of any SWREG money? I'm not sure, but usually their cut is the time it takes online to do so. Then again, SWREG is a Basic Service right? Regards, Andre Lackmann On AutoPilot and still outta control
#140588From: Steve AhlstromApr 24, 1994 7:49 PM
Andre, As a CompuServe employee you should know better than pass off incorrect info. If ANYONE is interested in how SWREG works, GO SWREG and READ the details. CompuServe takes 15% of the price. In return they handle all collections. If the software author has fullfilled all of their obligations and CompuServe gets stiffed by either a bad credit card, a Check Free refusal, whatever, the CompuServe eats it, the software author is still paid. CompuServe pays monthly. Many shareware authors don't use SWREG because CompuServe observes the laws of the countries in which the authors live — meaning that in the US, at the end of the year, CompuServe sends the author a 1099 and sends the IRS whatever paperwork would is required — many shareware authors would rather not report any income to the IRS. -sja
#140635From: Chris LesterApr 24, 1994 10:04 PM
In your opinion… doesn't the mass amount of registrations due to the ease of registration, offset Uncle Sam's cut? BTW, how dare you insinuate that we READ something. Especially something so easy to find on our own. (I guess that shows how many of us registered AP users are impulse buyers! I hit GO SWREG, and didn't slow down for a single trafic sign along the way!) Chris – Fast and Low on my '020! …Is it significant that my spell checker doesn't know "Pentium"?
#140663From: Steve AhlstromApr 25, 1994 12:01 AM
Chris, >>doesn't the mass amount of registrations due to the ease of registration, offset Uncle Sam's cut? Without naming names, I have spoken with a number of Amiga shareware authors. In every case, when they learned that earnings would be reported to the IRS, they declined. I believe they are being extremely short sighted. There are many, as this thread has demonstrated, that may not have the initiative to write a check, find an envelope, now find a stamp, and mail off a letter, yet are more than willing to type GO SWREG. It is the shareware author's loss. SWREG needn't be the only method to register (read PURCHASE, shareware is nothing more than commercial software with an unconventional marketing scheme), but just an additional adjunct to the US Mail.
#140728From: New Horizons SoftwareApr 25, 1994 1:02 PM
Steve, I'm confused here. Doesn't everyone just list additional income that was not covered on a 1099 with the rest of their income? Getting a 1099 just makes life a little easier 🙂 Randy Brooks
#140735From: Steve AhlstromApr 25, 1994 1:58 PM
Randy, You've got to kidding (or being facetious). Getting a 1099 just makes it tougher to hide unreported income (because it is now reported).
#140890From: New Horizons SoftwareApr 26, 1994 9:44 AM
Unreported income? Randy Brooks Ducking and turning to run.
#140749From: Dale LarsonApr 25, 1994 3:45 PM
Those who run an honest and professional business certainly do. Apparently, (according to Steve's responses to SWREG information) many shareware authors prefer to work "under the table." — Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing — INTERNET:dale@iam.com
#140891From: New Horizons SoftwareApr 26, 1994 9:44 AM
Dale, That was the impression that I got as well. I can think of at least one recent public instance where the lack of a 1099 caused public grief down the road, but that discussion doesn't really fit this forum. Even though my original message was facetious the fact is that not getting a 1099 may mess you up more than getting one. Randy Brooks
#140760From: Peter WadeApr 25, 1994 5:03 PM
The great think about SWREG is not having to bother with foreign currency and international post. Peter Wade Autopiloting from London, England
#140919From: Steve SetzerApr 26, 1994 2:41 PM
Steve >>There are many, as this thread has demonstrated, that may not have the >>initiative to write a check, find an envelope, now find a stamp, and >>mail off a letter, yet are more than willing to type GO SWREG. Also there are many foriegn (usually german) shareware titles that I would register by SWREG, but because of the hassle of going to the bank and paying exorbiant prices for a a foreign money order, that make the product unworth the asking fee. …Steve ====>>> Motorola 68030 Inside <<<====
#141086From: Richard GraffApr 27, 1994 7:09 AM
Steve, I have registered many (at least 8) overseas shareware programs to several country's, including Germany, I have always sent cash and have always received my registered version. The longest was LhA, that took almost 3 months, but typically the time lag has been 30-45 days. =Rick=
#141155From: Zeddock MillerApr 27, 1994 5:35 PM
First let me tell you… I come into Cserve each day on an IBM yuk! under Windows WinCim, at work. Told you that to tell you this… I can't figure out how to go backwards in the message base under WinCim. Not that I have tried hard but….. Told you that to tell you this… I can't see any messages that tell me how to register for Terminus here, online. Told you that to tell you this… I have not registered terminus because I'm lazy and don't want to write a check, mail it, etc. BUT… as soon as I find out how to do it online I will!!! Because the program is superb by any commercial comparison and that type of attention to detail deserves to make it's author money! Told you that to tell you this… My point is that I will be registering online whereas I probably would never have gotten to it otherwise. Also, I would be willing to pay a slightly extra fee for the convenience of doing it online. (thus, negating the tax loss by the author.) (But don't tell the IRS… 🙂 P.S. I have been assured that IRS people don't have membership with CServe. Really! P.S.S. Goodluck to you authors out there. I have been seeing alot of really good work. And it won't go unpurchased if the ease of online registration is availible. Zeddock
#141482From: Steve SetzerApr 29, 1994 6:10 PM
>>First let me tell you… >>I come into Cserve each day on an IBM yuk! under Windows WinCim, at >>work. Told you that to tell you this… >>I can't figure out how to go backwards in the message base under WinCim. >>Not that I have tried hard but….. >>Told you that to tell you this… >>I can't see any messages that tell me how to register for Terminus here, >>online. >>Told you that to tell you this… >>I have not registered terminus because I'm lazy and don't want to write >>a check, mail it, etc. BUT… >>as soon as I find out how to do it online I will!!! >>Because the program is superb by any commercial comparison and that type >>of attention to detail deserves to make it's author money! >>Told you that to tell you this… >>My point is that I will be registering online whereas I probably would >>never have gotten to it otherwise. >>Also, I would be willing to pay a slightly extra fee for the convenience >>of doing it online. (thus, negating the tax loss by the author.) >>(But don't tell the IRS… 🙂 >>P.S. I have been assured that IRS people don't have membership with >>CServe. Really! >>P.S.S. Goodluck to you authors out there. I have been seeing alot of >>really good work. And it won't go unpurchased if the ease of online >>registration is availible. >>Zeddock Zeddock, You really need to send this to Jack Radigan 76545,201. As I am not sure he is reading this entire thread. (Steve are you listening? a forward mail option would be nice in AP 1.8!) …Steve ====>>> Motorola 68030 Inside <<<====
#141033From: Chris LesterApr 26, 1994 11:17 PM
>>SWREG needn't be the only method to register Hadn't really thought of that… I mean, what percentage of the Amiga community is here anyway? If you had to be "dishonest", just don't report what showed up in the mail! It would definately show an author just how well it owrked… (or didn't work) Oh well, maybe one of these days I'll mail that Terminus check! <sigh> (H%LL YES I WANT TO CONTINUE! Why do you think I clicked on the ICON!) Chris – Fast and Low on my '020! …Is it significant that my spell checker doesn't know "Intel"?
#141167From: Jonathan SchmidtApr 27, 1994 8:32 PM
They take out 15%… Jonathan Schmidt – On AutoPilot from CompuServe Land