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1993-12-20
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NEWS RELEASE
____________________________________________________________________
SHAREWARE MATURES
PC USERS OPT FOR SHAREWARE, NOT FOR MAJOR VENDORS
Canberra, Australia, December 20, 1993.
The Shareware industry is delivering bigger and better products all the time.
It is delivering sophisticated Windows-based applications that rival the professionalism of
the major software houses, yet come at a fraction of the price. In addition to being inexpensive,
they have the risk-free try-before-you-buy advantage.
The Corporate sector still largely looks to the major vendors, but any individual with a PC
will usually look first at Shareware.
If the personal user also has a modem and access to Bulletin Board Systems, then that personal
user will look for what can be had from BBSs around the world. And when that personal user
also has corporate responsibilities at their place of work, corporate decisions can be influenced
now by the decision-maker's vastly increased awareness of what is available, and what it costs.
There are now quite a few multi-million dollar businesses in the USA which survive from
shipping their products as shareware.
A recent shareware release illustrates the level of sophistication and sheer value-for-money that
is coming out of this cottage industry.
Goldmine Goal Setter is a sophisticated Windows based application which assists individuals
to plan their life goals. Although it is not a business system, its size and sophistication
indicate the type of serious applications that emanate from Shareware manufacturers these days.
It has a relational database underneath it, full GUI Windows presentation, complete with a
Windows Help system. And this is inexpensive shareware!
The system comprises thirty-three tables in its relational database, and about 130
(one hundred and thirty) screens, with numerous reporting facilities, and import / export
capability. This is not a toy.
The fact that such professional products can be developed and distributed as shareware
is a worry for the major software houses, who insist on behaving as if it is a privilege for
the end-consumer to see their software, and then want to charge us relatively high prices for
the privilege of using it.
Hopefully the major software houses will follow the shareware lead and start to make their
products more accessible to the person on the street.
Until then, long live Shareware!
____________________________________________________________________
Contact Details:
Brian Clack
Goldmine Systems
Tel: +616 292 6607
PO Box 4547
Kingston ACT 2604
Australia
CompuServe 100240,2010