Coming up with reasons that MS *can* do it is not immediately relevant to answering the question of why Embarcadero don't/won't do it. Giving stuff away as a way of *generating* business is not a concept unique to Microsoft nor the exclusive reserve of cash rich monopolies.
It's a practice that works in virtually *every* business. Even the coffee shop that I buy my daily coffee from gives me a free coffee for every 5 I buy. Do they do that only because they can afford to, having tied up a monopoly in providing coffee in that area? No, they do it because if they didn't then I would get my coffee from the bakery instead. (actually, the bakery offers the same "loyalty" scheme, yet neither of these very small businesses seems to be going out of business as a result). Both establishments are also conscientious in fostering a rapport with me as a customer, greeting me by name, asking how my day is going and generally making me feel welcome. The places that *don't* offer such gratuities and graces and who simply treat their customers as walking + talking cash machines are the ones that go out of business *unless* they are in a monopoly position. From: delphi-boun...@delphi.org.nz [mailto:delphi-boun...@delphi.org.nz] On Behalf Of Kyley Harris Sent: Monday, 21 September 2009 21:29 To: NZ Borland Developers Group - Delphi List Subject: Re: [DUG] A change in upgrade policy coming from Embarcadero Yes, but seeing as MS is an OS supplier they could give everything away for free except the OS and still profit.. but then there would be no competition and the OS would die a slow death Take that "community" out of Delphi and I don't think that what's left is enough to stand up against fully Open Source on the one hand and the unrelentingly commercial on the other (and ironically that "unrelentingly commercial" hand - Microsoft - are doing MORE to support a community with their tools in terms of free/cheaper editions than Embarcadero).
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