Should trials be free?
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
Serious discussion on this topic had to bring in the related issue of cyber- ethics.
Look into that topic and you will certainly find that this is certainly among the practices that increase deficits on the cyber-ethical balance sheet. That's probably all a bit unfamiliar but undeniable in the face of facts.
So it's not untrue then how can it be unfair?
Denial of this is as illogical as penalising repeat customers and pro users.
The pirates will get their booty anyway, unless the software is so unpopular no-one wants it..
- I want it, but I haven't seen a demo yet and I'm not rushing..... funny that.
I actually did ask some relevant people, if they would try and arrange that kind of trial of software for their businesses and educational programs (without mentioning any software name). Seconds were spent thinking through the complicated red tape that exist in those environments (places likely to buy many seats), but the answer was flat and resounding, one word and very simple.
NO.
Look I don't mean to insult but I find responses like" I don't see what the big deal is", really say more about what you can understand, than the issue at hand.
Madrobot, in theory would you gets the trial for your next work project , or just jump straight to the purchase?
Look into that topic and you will certainly find that this is certainly among the practices that increase deficits on the cyber-ethical balance sheet. That's probably all a bit unfamiliar but undeniable in the face of facts.
So it's not untrue then how can it be unfair?
Denial of this is as illogical as penalising repeat customers and pro users.
The pirates will get their booty anyway, unless the software is so unpopular no-one wants it..
- I want it, but I haven't seen a demo yet and I'm not rushing..... funny that.
I actually did ask some relevant people, if they would try and arrange that kind of trial of software for their businesses and educational programs (without mentioning any software name). Seconds were spent thinking through the complicated red tape that exist in those environments (places likely to buy many seats), but the answer was flat and resounding, one word and very simple.
NO.
Look I don't mean to insult but I find responses like" I don't see what the big deal is", really say more about what you can understand, than the issue at hand.
Madrobot, in theory would you gets the trial for your next work project , or just jump straight to the purchase?
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RichLockard
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:51 pm
I plan on upgrading someday, however I would be motivated to do it sooner if I had a chance to use some of these new cool features. I don't feel secure with providing a CC for a trial version, thats what it boils down to.
I agree, If I didn't need to repair my vehicle, I'd have upgraded already. I don't think many completely new users would be willing to provide a credit card number just to try it out. Does anyone know what canceling the trial involves? Do you need to call SM?jahnocli wrote:Chucky, you are right. But if I could afford to upgrade, I would...However, I'm a long-time user of the software. If I wasn't, I'd think twice about handing over credit card details just so I could have a look.
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Víctor Paredes
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It's a button on your SM page. Not hard to find, really.RichLockard wrote:I agree, If I didn't need to repair my vehicle, I'd have upgraded already. I don't think many completely new users would be willing to provide a credit card number just to try it out. Does anyone know what canceling the trial involves? Do you need to call SM?
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RichLockard
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:51 pm
Thanks. I didn't bother to look until now. Most "free trails" like this require a phone call with a pushy service rep.It's a button on your SM page. Not hard to find, really.
Well I decided to try it out and...
I only have a debit card, so to me they put a hold on the funds, I get my money back when the trial is over.If you use a debit card, those funds may not be available to you during the trial period.
Anyway money is tight, I can't get the trial so I'll be back when / if I decide to upgrade in the future, ASP 6 works fine for me for now. Thanks.
Some of the contributors in this thread fail to appreciate that most people have more going on in their life than just checking out a demo. I can not begin to count how often I have downloaded a demo only to forget about it because of this weird and unpredictable thing called life.
There's bound to be a certain percentage of people who end up paying for AS not because they wanted to, but simply because they forgot to cancel. I myself have ended up doing just that on one or two occasion and I consider myself a pretty well organised person.
I would love to check out AS7, but not under these circumstances. Fool me once...
There's bound to be a certain percentage of people who end up paying for AS not because they wanted to, but simply because they forgot to cancel. I myself have ended up doing just that on one or two occasion and I consider myself a pretty well organised person.
I would love to check out AS7, but not under these circumstances. Fool me once...
I will point out something that many of you are probably unaware concerning debit and credit cards. This type of "hold" on credit cards is very common. However you just don't know about it because it isn't about software and it isn't "online".RichLockard wrote:
Well I decided to try it out and...
I only have a debit card, so to me they put a hold on the funds, I get my money back when the trial is over.If you use a debit card, those funds may not be available to you during the trial period.
When you fill your tank with gas and pay at the pump with a CC.
There is a hold placed on the card that can last for 3 days. Usually the amount is around $30 regardless of what the actual cost of the gas was. After 3 days that money is released.
Staying at a hotel using a debit or credit card.
A very large hold is put on your CC when you check into a hotel. They will put a hold on your card for the amount of the room for however long you have booked it or sometimes longer.
These are just a few examples.
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So every gas station, every hotel, every place where a "hold" or default charge is added to your CC, they are all "Ethically Bankrupt".
-vern
Vern I'm surprised, please look up the subject "cyber ethics", I won't write an essay here, there are much better resources.
Really I'm not trying to be smart.
I pay for gas when it's in the car but then I live in a relatively free country. That however is a purchase; not an evaluation, like test driving a car ... but I suppose in the States, they hold your first born in that situation.
Strangely for years I tried to play life without credit cards, it wasn't until I rocked up to my pre-booked and paid for (by work) hotel in LA ( Lux in Bel Air -very nice as it turned out)...that I found that without one of these for the hotel's id purposes they chucked me out on the street without mercy- even though it was all paid for.
Funny my ID was good enough to get into the country that arvo.
That's just a meaningless anecdote, trust and security is one thing, but I think Smith Micro are coming off a little paranoid, like a guy selling watches from their coat.
Oh I did end up staying at the hotel, but not the first night.
Oh and any time companies touch peoples money without knowledge or permission as the petrol pump example, I do think they have over reached and they are the ones being cheeky.... not me.
Really I'm not trying to be smart.
I pay for gas when it's in the car but then I live in a relatively free country. That however is a purchase; not an evaluation, like test driving a car ... but I suppose in the States, they hold your first born in that situation.
Strangely for years I tried to play life without credit cards, it wasn't until I rocked up to my pre-booked and paid for (by work) hotel in LA ( Lux in Bel Air -very nice as it turned out)...that I found that without one of these for the hotel's id purposes they chucked me out on the street without mercy- even though it was all paid for.
Funny my ID was good enough to get into the country that arvo.
That's just a meaningless anecdote, trust and security is one thing, but I think Smith Micro are coming off a little paranoid, like a guy selling watches from their coat.
Oh I did end up staying at the hotel, but not the first night.
Oh and any time companies touch peoples money without knowledge or permission as the petrol pump example, I do think they have over reached and they are the ones being cheeky.... not me.
This is not an issue of ethics. Sorry.
SM is very upfront about what they are doing. They say right off the bat, we need your CC for the trial but you won't be charged. The CC companies make all the rules about "holding" the money, or locking funds with check cards. That's their bit of evil.
Think about the bandwidth. Who pays for that? SM. At 400mb a pop, and every tom dick and harry with a high speed connection downloading freely available demos and only a fraction of those people are even slightly serious about buying it ever, you can see why they are going this way.
What about AT&T's latest decision? ATT has decided no more unlimited bandwidth on their cellular network. A 2gb per month limit. You go over that you get charged for it. The reason for this is BANDWIDTH. Many other cellular phone companies will soon follow along.
Smith Micro wants to save their bandwidth for PAYING customers to download the software they bought, not provide a pipeline for everyone and their uncle to download a free trial at 500mb a pop with no strings attached.
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This is an upfront, clearly defined free trial offer. There is NO subterfuge, no "trickery", no lying. Smith Micro is not cheating anyone. They are NOT being "unethical". They tell you exactly what they are doing and what is required. The trial is free if you follow their rules. If you don't like it walk away.
-vern
SM is very upfront about what they are doing. They say right off the bat, we need your CC for the trial but you won't be charged. The CC companies make all the rules about "holding" the money, or locking funds with check cards. That's their bit of evil.
Think about the bandwidth. Who pays for that? SM. At 400mb a pop, and every tom dick and harry with a high speed connection downloading freely available demos and only a fraction of those people are even slightly serious about buying it ever, you can see why they are going this way.
What about AT&T's latest decision? ATT has decided no more unlimited bandwidth on their cellular network. A 2gb per month limit. You go over that you get charged for it. The reason for this is BANDWIDTH. Many other cellular phone companies will soon follow along.
Smith Micro wants to save their bandwidth for PAYING customers to download the software they bought, not provide a pipeline for everyone and their uncle to download a free trial at 500mb a pop with no strings attached.
-------------------------------------------------
This is an upfront, clearly defined free trial offer. There is NO subterfuge, no "trickery", no lying. Smith Micro is not cheating anyone. They are NOT being "unethical". They tell you exactly what they are doing and what is required. The trial is free if you follow their rules. If you don't like it walk away.
-vern
I SAY YES THERE SHOULD BE A FREE TRAIL VERSION OF ASP7 WHY?
let say i do not know about anime studio so SM is telling me to trust her with my credit card number just to try out her product. SM well be benifit 1. IF WHY INTERNET GET DISCONNECTED 2. IF AM BUSY AT WORK 3. IF MY PC CRASH etc you get the ideas. We the customer well LOST our MONEY for a item we dont use what if we forget to cancel the order before the 30 days WE THE CUSTOMER LOSS MONEY AGAIN. and SM BENIFITed
let say i do not know about anime studio so SM is telling me to trust her with my credit card number just to try out her product. SM well be benifit 1. IF WHY INTERNET GET DISCONNECTED 2. IF AM BUSY AT WORK 3. IF MY PC CRASH etc you get the ideas. We the customer well LOST our MONEY for a item we dont use what if we forget to cancel the order before the 30 days WE THE CUSTOMER LOSS MONEY AGAIN. and SM BENIFITed
I think if you want this poll to be fair you should include an "I don't care" option. I'm sure there were others like me (possibly a lot of others) who didn't vote because neither option was a good fit.
I suggest doing a new poll or changing this one if that's possible, and ignoring the results till you do. This poll will only get answers from the hotheads.
Barry
I suggest doing a new poll or changing this one if that's possible, and ignoring the results till you do. This poll will only get answers from the hotheads.
Barry
If you don't care , don't vote.
Apathy doesn't have an opinion. That's how bad policies (like child labour, culling of the poor and credit card trials . come about )
Oh and let's tally those votes up BTW?
WOAH 20 to 1? It looks pretty obvious who the cranks here are...... drum roll. oh it's the corporation what a surprise.l
Democracy anyone? NO no this is a business , screw the customer, it's not like they vote.
Well we do vote SM with cash..... and you ain't getting mine - on principle.
I wonder if Sabrina mentioned principles, in her talk about hero's ?
Apathy doesn't have an opinion. That's how bad policies (like child labour, culling of the poor and credit card trials .
come about )Oh and let's tally those votes up BTW?
WOAH 20 to 1? It looks pretty obvious who the cranks here are...... drum roll. oh it's the corporation what a surprise.l
Democracy anyone? NO no this is a business , screw the customer, it's not like they vote.
Well we do vote SM with cash..... and you ain't getting mine - on principle.
I wonder if Sabrina mentioned principles, in her talk about hero's ?
