Software Prices

[Matthew]

Comapanies like Microsoft are always trying to combat piracy but always insist on having the most expensive software, now surely they can cut the prices and make it more cheaper then people wouldnn't got for the pirated copies.

What got me started on this was the launch of the new version of Office you hardly get any of the components unless you buy the big ultra mega version of office that costs millions of notes.

Is there anyway we can get large companies such as Micorosft to cut the prices? I've just about had enough of been ripped off when I can go to the local market and get it 10 times cheaper.

Anyone else agree with me?

Well im sure everyone in IT will agree with you mate.Never gonna happen pipe dream,but theres always open source software if your not happy with pirated software

Matthew - looking at your profile - you age is 17 years old. If you are a student (college / Uni) you can get academic licences.

---------- Post added at 20:44 ---------- Previous post was at 20:43 ----------

...oh and just wait until Oct / November when Vista arrives....Bill will be holding out his hand for more wonga!!

The truth is at software aimed at business the money that can be made in a large part to the productivity software they use means microsoft are offering a fair price.

[Matthew]

The reason for me starting this topic was that I have been given the IT at work and was looking at the costs of some software for a new set of machines we are getting and the bosses were shocked, they would rather use pen and paper. We are a fairly big comapny in the area and make enough money but to be splashing out several hundered for things like office really did make me ask why bother.

Anyway I've said my piece on what I think, just wondered what your opinions were.

Originally Posted by Damien

The truth is at software aimed at business the money that can be made in a large part to the productivity software they use means microsoft are offering a fair price.

True, you have to look at the fact the software they use in mainly used in a business environment.

There are good alternatives out there, i.e. openoffice. But I see you point as mentioned.

I think there should be heavy subsidation for home users i.e. 200.00 for office hello Mr Gates, i remember paying £29 for Lotus Smartsuite.

[Stuart]

The justification I read (a long time ago now, in a long-defunct computing mag) was that the costs of development of business software and games were very similar, but business software sold to a smaller market.

I don't think that holds true now. It's not unheard of for game development budgets to be in the millions of dollars, yet they still cost around £40 (which is *still* a lot of money), and a lot of homes have a PC of some sort and a lot of families would happily use something like office to help with the running of the home. The market for business software is much larger than it was.

[Matthew]

I agree with xahras that there should be heavy subsidation for all users. I would use Linux as its free but so much is based around Windows, I know you can make it comptiable but I just like things to be nice and simple.

[IvIaXiIvIuS]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Comapanies like Microsoft are always trying to combat piracy but always insist on having the most expensive software, now surely they can cut the prices and make it more cheaper then people wouldnn't got for the pirated copies.

It dosn't matter how much they charge for a product,even if there latest operating system was £10 you would still get people wanting it for nothing.
Its a fact of life,why pay for anything when you can get it for free.
I don't condone illegal software/music/movies ect,its just when you weigh up how much a OS costs and for what you actually use it for i can see why some people tend to go the illegal route.Just my opinion

[Gareth]

If your company is relatively large, then you should speak to MS about corporate licensing structures, as it works out much cheaper than paying the individual prices.

[AndrewJ]

I so agree I went once to buy Paintshop Pro 8 which is old hat as it was and got told £100 please...I almost fell over.

[Down the Pub]

Originally Posted by Matthew

The reason for me starting this topic was that I have been given the IT at work and was looking at the costs of some software for a new set of machines we are getting and the bosses were shocked, they would rather use pen and paper. We are a fairly big comapny in the area and make enough money but to be splashing out several hundered for things like office really did make me ask why bother.

Anyway I've said my piece on what I think, just wondered what your opinions were.

you should see the prices from autodesk for autocad, one copy is expensive enough but when your running in to multiple licences... boy get wedges ready, i used to work for one of the biggest electrical switchgear manfr's in the world and not even we could get a good deal on the product....but we were stuffed cos we couldn't change cos of the costs involved. it's the devil and the deep blue sea.

I think because many people only use a very small set of the functions available in MS Office products, that open source if perfectly acceptable as an alternative. I have been very impressed with Open Office and use it in preference to upgrading an old MS Office97.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Down the Pub

you should see the prices from autodesk for autocad, one copy is expensive enough but when your running in to multiple licences... boy get wedges ready, i used to work for one of the biggest electrical switchgear manfr's in the world and not even we could get a good deal on the product....but we were stuffed cos we couldn't change cos of the costs involved. it's the devil and the deep blue sea.

Just checked the prices for Autocad and 3DS Max (both Autodesk products). For single users, the prices ranged from £2,500 to £3,300.

[Down the Pub]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Just checked the prices for Autocad and 3DS Max (both Autodesk products). For single users, the prices ranged from £2,500 to £3,300.

yep.......and when you want a specific product eg. autocad electrical with multiple liecences..........they got u by the short 'n' curlies, because if u are already using a specific product ie. autocad, to change to something else involves alot, like all software, training, drawing packages, archives etc etc and the time and money involved could mean more hassle than the worth.....but hey, i don't worry about things like that anymore.