From: Farley Flud <ff@linux.rocks>
Subject: Re: Proprietary Software Is A Racket
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.advocacy
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Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:34:46 +0000
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On 11 Aug 2024 12:47:27 GMT, Stéphane CARPENTIER wrote:

> 
> An IT engineer cost something like $1500 a day (in France, I believe
> it's more in the US). So paying $200 per month for being able to have
> responses in case of need is nothing compared to hire someone full time
> in case of need.
> 

Listen, idiot.

I am not referring to huge enterprise packages like an airline
reservation system or an ERP serving hundreds of global locations.
In such cases an expensive maintenance contract is certainly
warranted.

I am referring to simple and common packages like Adobe Photoshop
or AutoCAD.  These packages were once sold at the corner office
supply store for a one-time, perpetual license.  The only gimmick
was the fabricated yearly "updates" that were intended to to
keep the revenue flowing, but any user could choose to skip
the updates completely.

As any programmer knows, software lasts forever.  Such simple
programs require no maintenance or updates.  Software companies,
however, do not last forever.  Thus, a gimmick of some kind is
always necessary to ensure continued sales.

Adobe was the first to introduce the gimmick of the "software
subscription."  The result was that revenue was doubled at the
cost of doing absolutely nothing.  Needless to say, every other
commercial software company followed suit.

I am aware of some moron who pays over $1600 annually for a
subscription to AutoDesk.  When I asked why he wants to waste
his money like that his response was that he is obtaining all
the security updates.  What a clown!  He has completely fallen
for that bullshit ruse.

There is no cure for stupidity.

Software lasts forever.  I have written programs years ago
that are still working normally with no updates whatsoever.

But any software company would soon be bankrupt and out of
business if they followed that model.  To keep the sales
flowing they must invent reasons that will fool the ignorant
masses -- and they do.

FOSS, however, is not in business and thus is the natural
and superior choice.