I believe that since the suspected release date of Blizzard's WOTLK (the next expansion for WOW) is around November, that it is this and not EA that that is behind this decision. Once people get started in the WOW expansion, it will be very hard to lure them away.
As an IT professional I agree that we sometimes come across with an "attitude". But in out defense I would give this comparison...
If you went to the store and the cashier did not know how to use the register, wouldn't you be annoyed? The IT dept. is there to suppy you with the tools to help you perform your job and they don't mind answering questions until the same question is asked a thousand times (especially if it comes from the same person). Some people do not try to learn the software/hardware they just want someone to always be there to do it for them. There are some end users that just should find new jobs that use the phrase "do you want frys with that". I am not saying all end users are like this. Some honestly want to learn the software and hardware they use. Unfortunately corporations spend millions on purchasing the latest technolgy and they spend almost nothing to send the end users to classes to learn the software.
I have had to deal with numerous end users such as yourself. I bet you are the type who downloads all the "neat" screen savers and desktop wall paper that comes with the usual spyware and malware and then call the support desk complaining how slow your system is.
Most corporate IT dept. have "approved" software that they load to systems. Not just because of security (always a major concern of any responsible company) but also because of licensing fee's. Most software used in corporations are not a simple "buy it and use it all you want" style of pricing. Many software makers charge for the original purchases and then they also charge based on how many people/systems use the software. They then also charge an annual charge (usually 15% to 20% of the "list price" of the software) to continue to use that software so an accurate accounting of number of users or systems with that software must be maintained the your company. The fines can be in the 6 and 7 figures for unlicensed software. Then lets get into the issue that some software just do not play well with other software so knowing what each system has installed is very important.
Then of course since you got the specialized software that you wanted you can bet that "Bob" down the hall is going to complain unless he can get the software he wants.
IT dept. are more than happy to purchase software if it is truely needed (which was all your IT person was asking you to verify) and as long as there is funds in the budget to pay for it.
Just as VHS beat out Beta, HD DVD has figured out the best way to win. If your product has lower prices on the player/hardware, then that is the one the mass public will buy. Just last week Best Buy and Walmart had HD DVD players on sell for $99.99 and I believe the cheapest Blu-ray is still around $250.00 or more. Quality will never win over ease of use and lower price.
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I believe that since the suspected release date of Blizzard's WOTLK (the next expansion for WOW) is around November, that it is this and not EA that that is behind this decision. Once people get started in the WOW expansion, it will be very hard to lure them away.
As an IT professional I agree that we sometimes come across with an "attitude". But in out defense I would give this comparison... If you went to the store and the cashier did not know how to use the register, wouldn't you be annoyed? The IT dept. is there to suppy you with the tools to help you perform your job and they don't mind answering questions until the same question is asked a thousand times (especially if it comes from the same person). Some people do not try to learn the software/hardware they just want someone to always be there to do it for them. There are some end users that just should find new jobs that use the phrase "do you want frys with that". I am not saying all end users are like this. Some honestly want to learn the software and hardware they use. Unfortunately corporations spend millions on purchasing the latest technolgy and they spend almost nothing to send the end users to classes to learn the software.
I have had to deal with numerous end users such as yourself. I bet you are the type who downloads all the "neat" screen savers and desktop wall paper that comes with the usual spyware and malware and then call the support desk complaining how slow your system is. Most corporate IT dept. have "approved" software that they load to systems. Not just because of security (always a major concern of any responsible company) but also because of licensing fee's. Most software used in corporations are not a simple "buy it and use it all you want" style of pricing. Many software makers charge for the original purchases and then they also charge based on how many people/systems use the software. They then also charge an annual charge (usually 15% to 20% of the "list price" of the software) to continue to use that software so an accurate accounting of number of users or systems with that software must be maintained the your company. The fines can be in the 6 and 7 figures for unlicensed software. Then lets get into the issue that some software just do not play well with other software so knowing what each system has installed is very important. Then of course since you got the specialized software that you wanted you can bet that "Bob" down the hall is going to complain unless he can get the software he wants. IT dept. are more than happy to purchase software if it is truely needed (which was all your IT person was asking you to verify) and as long as there is funds in the budget to pay for it.
Just as VHS beat out Beta, HD DVD has figured out the best way to win. If your product has lower prices on the player/hardware, then that is the one the mass public will buy. Just last week Best Buy and Walmart had HD DVD players on sell for $99.99 and I believe the cheapest Blu-ray is still around $250.00 or more. Quality will never win over ease of use and lower price.