Sunset Clauses in Software

DaveAtFraud writes: "Ed Foster over at InfoWorld has an interesting column on "sunset" clauses in commercial software. I don't have a problem with people who write, say, anti-virus software charging for a "subscription" to their virus signature update service. I am paying for something of value to me and it costs them something to maintain this data. I do have a problem with the same people extracting a little extra "squeeze" every couple of years and forcing me to learn yet another user interface just because they have decided that the old one looks little dated. Somehow, I don't buy (no pun intended) that their engine for scanning a byte stream has changed again."

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Not just software...

[cperciva]

I bought a 1989 Honda Civic 12 years ago, and it's starting to get old. A bit of rust here and there, occasionally it has trouble starting... the sort of things you often hear about with old cars.

I wanted to replace it with a new car, but guess what? They don't make 1989 Honda Civics any more. If I want a new car, they tell me, I'll have to buy the latest model, which not only looks different and is more expensive, but would require me to learn an entirely new UI.

Somehow I don't buy (no pun intended) that the engine for building a car has changed again.

Re:Not just software...

[LatJoor]

Yes, but I'm still driving my 1988 Honda Civic, and when I take it to the mechanic they don't tell me "Sorry, we can't fix that one for you any more, but we'll be happy to sell you this year's model for twice the price." It also doesn't have a license that says that I'm breaking the law if I open the hood to figure out how it works, and why it's making that whirring noise.

Re:Not just software... (get your analogies right)

[the bluebrain]

And I bought a 1989 Ford Escort 12 years ago, and contrary to intuition, it's as good as new. Indeed, it is indistinguishable from a brand new 1989 model Ford Escort.

Now Ford just called me the other day, and said that if I wanted to continue driving, I'd have to purchase a 2002 model Ford, because my current car would stop working at the end of the year.

Somehow I don't buy (no pun intended) that the environment has changed to such a degree that my current car is incapable of taking me from A to B nowadays.