From: Tobias Reif <tobiasreif@...>
Date: 2002-05-09T22:13:09+09:00
Subject: [OT] IDE, license, GPL business models (was: Re: 'Ultimate' FreeRIDE ?)

Lothar Scholz wrote:


>>It could be released as Free Software (GPL), and you still could charge 
>>the same amount of $. (AFAICS)
>>
> Sorry most companies showed that this is not a good idea.
> 
> If you want a product, you must buy it - this was okay for the last
> 7000 years and will not be changed.

People try it, people buy it. There are a lot of indications that people 
will buy books even if they are available free of charge as download, 
same with music, and software. This often even increases sales.

Your argument is incorrect. Pre internet, people were able to borrow and 
copy books, music tapes etc fom their frieds, to find out what they 
like; then purchase stuff by these authors and bands.

Example showing that Free Software and business can go hand in hand:

http://www.redhat.com/download/rhlinux73.html

"You can download the Red Hat Linux operating system for free from ftp.redhat.com."


Red Hat aren't just being nice; they know the score.

But it doesn't just work by itself, and not all companies find the right 
way.

Tobi


-- 
http://www.pinkjuice.com/