Software Vending Machines

anubis__ writes "CNN details a sort-of software vending machine named 'SoftwareToGo' that CompUSA is testing out in their Seattle, WA, Dallas, TX, and San Francisco, CA stores. The upside to this vending machine is that your CD is burned when you request it, so the latest patches available for the software you're buying might already be included with the installation. The downside, like anything requiring some level of technical aptitude in the US, is that the machines are avoided by the masses of shoppers." This has been in the works for a year or so.

Comments

Why not download?

[JoScherl]

IF I want some burned software I can download it from the net - even after paying for it ;-)
But if I go to a shop I want a pressed CD - these hold longer.

Exactly what software will be on this?

[stratjakt]

Not games, or most desktop-targetted apps, because you can't burn their precious anti-copying schemes.

And if it was going to be higher-end office type stuff, like OS's or DVD authoring, or ANYTHING that costs 19.99 or higher, and people are going to want the box, the official CD, and most of all - THE MANUAL.

Dead tree manuals are easier to read than some .pdf or README file.

Re:How is this better?

[Penguinisto]

"I really don't see the market unless you are stuck on a 56K modem"

...considering that 80% of the users online are stuck on a 56K modem (usually running at a way slower speed), I'd readily call this a nice-sized market.

The only real problem is that the one thing that would benefit the most from patching (OSes) will most likely be missing from the selection.