Ok, lets analyze things a bit. Facts are as follows: (1) Lots of people can write cool software, and would like to make a living doing it, but can't because they lack capital, marketing, etc. (2) Shareware is beautiful in theory but doesn't work. Not enough people register shareware to make it profitable. (3) People like shareware and freeware, but don't like paying for it or don't go through the hassle to pay for it.
Ads are the logical answer. We may well see a day when it is more profitable to give software away than to sell it. The beauty of this is that if you want to register the shareware, you can turn the ads off. If you don't, then you still support the developers.
The reason I am familiar with this is that I work at NetJumper, which is coming out with its own SDK next month. We are creating a network of developers who will get advertising revenue. Our developers range from large, international companies to a college student who has written a cool game editor. ALL ARE ON EQUAL FOOTING HERE! If you write good software, you can now make money by joining our network. It's that simple.
Slashdot Mirror
Ok, lets analyze things a bit. Facts are as follows: (1) Lots of people can write cool software, and would like to make a living doing it, but can't because they lack capital, marketing, etc. (2) Shareware is beautiful in theory but doesn't work. Not enough people register shareware to make it profitable. (3) People like shareware and freeware, but don't like paying for it or don't go through the hassle to pay for it.
Ads are the logical answer. We may well see a day when it is more profitable to give software away than to sell it. The beauty of this is that if you want to register the shareware, you can turn the ads off. If you don't, then you still support the developers.
The reason I am familiar with this is that I work at NetJumper, which is coming out with its own SDK next month. We are creating a network of developers who will get advertising revenue. Our developers range from large, international companies to a college student who has written a cool game editor. ALL ARE ON EQUAL FOOTING HERE! If you write good software, you can now make money by joining our network. It's that simple.
Pure libertarian.