----- Original Message -----
From: "Lance Neustaeter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 6:23 PM
Subject: [Miami] Re: Where's Holger?
> On 19-Jun-00, Fred Wright [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> > But note that many vendors wouldn't replace a lost keyfile *at all*, and
> > would simply require you to pay the registration fee again.
>
> Quite irrelevant to the discussion, as Holger has chosen a certain method
of
> registering and receiving his software which is supposed to work
> automatically. A good thing when it works. But it isn't and he's nowhere
> to be found.
>
> As an aside, if you accept the premises of the (natural) copyright/patent
> school of thought (of which I have some reservations): once you've paid
for
> the information, it is yours whether you lose it or not. Vendors that
> refuse to send you another copy are infringing on your rights--according
to
> those premises and their implications. It's a double edged sword and
> software authors that are in favor of using force to protect their claim
to
> information property can't have it both ways.
H'mm using that logic, then if someone lost a book or CD that they'd
puchased, then
they would have the right to "Demand" that the publisher replace the lost
copy free
of charge, or for a nominial fee to replace the media. I'm sure you would
love such
a "right", (I know I would), but sorry to disappoint you, no such right
exists.
The fact that software companies will often replace lost/damaged media for
less than the
cost of a full license does not create any sort of consumer right or
obligation to do so.
In fact quite the opposite - the courts have affirmed that you, the customer
have the right
to make your own back up copies of licensed software, provided such backups
are for
your own use, and used within the provisions of the license, I/E you've paid
for a license for
each and every installation. Since you have that right, then to demand the
publisher provide
you with backups at his own expense is quite unrealistic. (Or do you think
YOU should have
it both ways??)
The fact that Holger willingly provides replacements for lost keys, etc.
simply means that he is
providing service above and beyond what should reasonably be expected of
him, and certainly
beyond what the law requires. But instead of thanking him for support that
goes way beyond
what anyone could expect, even from a large corporation, much less from a
small operation
like N.G, several people on this list continue to trash him on a regular
basis.
I, for one, am surprised (and thankful) he continues to offer any support at
all. God knows
he's invested far more time on Miami (time = money) than he could ever hope
to recoup
from the number of licenses he's sold. If you are REALLY that dissatisified
with the service
he's provided, then I suggest you go and buy yourself a PC, and write Bill
Gates a letter the
first time you want a replacement CD, or a new feature in Winsock, and see
just how far
that gets you.
Off my soap box now.
Ron
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