Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] Support, custom interfaces Michael David Thu, 1 Oct 1998 01:09:00 -0400

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Hi Bill!
>I, too agree, that we who participate here get far more out of ECS than
>"joe average consumer".... but..... If Mark were to institute "rolling"
>authorization code (i.e., software works for a year, then "kapoot"), I'd
>be off ECS like a heartbeat.... Bet most folks here would be also....

That would suck, I agree.  What I was suggesting is that after a year, your
authorization number would not work for new versions.  You existing version,
however would still remain functional.

>Folks, you don't provide a "consumer product" and then expect annual
>licensing fee....  This would be the "death" of ECS ('D too!)

Gee - lot's of software developers do this, including MS - although in their
case, they just require you to buy a new version since they no longer add
features to the old product.  Which, of course, means you need the new OS,
which means you need a bunch of other new software from MS. :(

>> It's possible that Mark is gearing up for this even as we speak.  The new
>> Authorization code that replaces EVMOVE seems to enable just this model.
>> Once a year, Mark could change the auth code - only those with support
>> contracts would get the new one - everyone else gets to keep using the
old
>> one.

>Now there's a novel idea, and one which I could "pony-up" for... Upgrade
>of capabilities doesn't come for free and Mark is (should be) justified
>in asking for "nominal" upgrade fee.... Hell, I just upgraded to 3.4
>after almost a year.

Yeah, that's it.  :)

>> I guess I want to protect my investment.
>I truly think that's all we all want to do....  Problem is that our
>intentions aren't helping Mark stay in business.

<snip>

>If we TRULY want to help Mark, we need to become proactive.... Sending
>him $25 or $50 per year won't help - he needs new customers, and lots of
>them!

Yes, I think this is a good point.  And, your idea for a primer might really
help.  I wish I was a writer!

However, I think $25 or $50 per user might also help.

Folks, I know I haven't been the most eloquent on this subject, but for me,
the bottom line is this:

Mark is a small businessman, trying to make it in a world of uncaring
conglomerates, who could care less about you and me;

ECS is a really good product;

Mark supports this product, and implements many of our ideas, better than
any developer I have ever seen;

Many of us, myself included, have received this level of support for many
years, with Mark only receiving our original investment in ECS several years
ago;

We all want, and need, this level of support to continue.


Humbly submitted....


Cheers!

Michael David
michael@michaeldavid.com

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