I keep seeing the argument that if I buy a copy of a system for my
home, it is for one machine - no matter how many people run it.  Ok,
besides us on this list how many home users have a network of machines
at home and how many "home" packages allow multiple/simultaneous
access (by the way have you ever tried to run Reflections from a
Network disk).  I have seen arguments about text editors and other
tools (I agree - if only one user then I should pay less).  But what
about vertical packages (such as MANMAN).  Nothing kills a product
faster than lack of revenue (read HP's justification for discontinuing
Transact et.al.) even though many user depend on that product
everyday.

 Maybe all software should be rented.  The longer you use it the more
you pay.  As long as the vendor offers a product which has value you
pay for it.  Every month I'll send you a new "unlock" code.  If you
ever quit paying... well..., this would be interesting.

Since my customers aren't willing to pay additional amounts for there
software, why are they so vocal about my investment in UNIX and LAN's
when my main source of revenue is New Customers who want UNIX and
LAN's  (BTW I charge somewhat less for the HP3000 package, because I
would much rather support that platform and I still can't sell many of
them.  "The current UNIX of the Week?", I could sell a few of these if
I could only get delivery!)

This rental system might work for the $10,000 dollars I spend a year
buying development packages that never get past the installation or
are used for just a few days before we find a problem.  And I would
wager I spend much less than some companies.  If I only had to pay for
my usage I could save a bundle.

In the old days, we were a "User Reference" product because our users
liked what we did (they still do).  Today, HP offers the "Best in
Class" based on how much I sell.  I guess it is harder to find a happy
user, than to measure sales volume.  But, happy customers come at a
major cost (just read the "Tier Pricing" comments), that few are
willing to pay.

So, help me out.  Where am I going to get the revenue to keep my
product useful?  Support doesn't cover it when I get 10 calls a day
for PC problems on stuff I didn't install or even sell to the
customer.

Have a nice day
Mel Rees
President, CMT

This time of year is when we decide how to divide our time and
resources for the 1997.  The comments I see here, say the HP3000
community is resistant (violently?) to investing in their future.
Since bad analogies are all the rage, I have my own.

"You drive a car that goes 35 mph top speed (so does everyone else).
Five year later, everyone else (especially your competition) is
passing you at 70 mph.  It is time to get a new car.  You go to the
dealer, you give him nothing (not even the old car, which he can't
use) and he gives you a new car, because after all you bought the gas
and only you will drive it.    I don't think so."