Gerhard Fiedler wrote:
> Byron A Jeff wrote:
>
>   
>> How about another angle? Instead of selling software, why not consider selling
>> a service? Have folks send you their plot files, you convert them, and you
>> send them back results? Charge per use though subscriptions would be nice.
>>     
>
> A variation of this is a web service. If you have a program that can run,
> you usually can make it run through a web interface. No protection scheme
> necessary, other than a web site login scheme (which is relatively
> difficult to crack, and pretty much commonplace). You can charge per time
> (day, month, year) or per use (with discounts for heavy users). 
>
> Gerhard
>
>   
I don't think this type of application would run well as a web service,
but if you wanted to "lock" it then using the web each time the program
was run would be an effective way of doing it. Until its hacked.

Personally I'd give it away for free. If you want any support at all
then sign up with our $30 monthly support contract which gets you email
support, automatic updates and a warm fuzzy feeling. Telephone support
is charged at $100 per hour. On site support is $200 + traveling expenses.
That way you get a bigger user base and your competition cant compete on
price. If its free people are more likley to try it. Heck if you make it
open source then there is a chance that your users might even help
improve your code.
This is the model I am looking at for my current "big programming job".
Its written in python and will run on all platforms. I'm hoping that
being able to set a new user up for $800 in hardware Vs ~$3000 with the
current software + windows + office, will make a difference, as well as
the customer sleeping sound in the knowledge that if I disappear they
can still keep their software running.
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist