> ... and if that's the case, then I'd like to see those > decisionmakers defend it in open debate. > > But it's difficult for me to see intentional discrimination > as the root cause... doesn't match up with what I see of > people here. The DNA is towards global participation, so I > suspect there are real constraints in the way of flat pricing. > > I've still got the action item to keep pressing for public > explanations about why software companies show such similar > disparities across regions. Such a mystery does no-one any > good. The ZDNet/CNET articles today likely caught org-wide > attention, so I've got some more ammo this week.... ;-)
This is not exactly a mystery. Software - like any other product - is priced the way it is to maximize profits. International price discrimination, like any other price discrimination, exists because vendors believe that they can identify distinct market segments, and charge the price that will maximize their profits within that segment. In addition, vendors may have different business costs in different countries; even with electronic distribution, there are costs involved in having local sales and support offices, currency exchange, legal compliance costs, etc, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_discrimination http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CamelsandRubberDuckies.html However, this is not the appropriate place for this discussion, I think. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers in Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, Northern Virginia, or on-site at your location. Visit http://training.figleaf.com/ for more information! This email has been processed by SmoothZap - www.smoothwall.net _______________________________________________ Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com To change your subscription options or search the archive: http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Brought to you by Fig Leaf Software Premier Authorized Adobe Consulting and Training http://www.figleaf.com http://training.figleaf.com
