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Subject: Re: Purchasing Fruit: a disappointment

Author: Peter Berger

Date: 11:27:28 09/27/05

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On September 27, 2005 at 11:01:32, Joshua Shriver wrote:

>Gerd I agree with you.
>I think Fabian is doing a great job.
>
><insertRant>
>Let's look at the alternative.
>Other companies are making people rebuy the software after x-installs. Or having
>to do finger printing and limited to just 1 machine. There is a lot of horrible
>license out there, but this isn't one of them.

I am not aware of horrible license policies in the current mainstream chess
software market.

A little user review, ranking strictly personal:

A. : Shredder UCI, Chess Genius

Programs can be downloaded, you get a license key after purchasing, after that
you are free to install it on your computers, including new ones without further
ado .

It can't get much better than that IMHO.

B. : Fritz and friends

Programs come on CD. After installation there are no further requirements,
similar to above. Older versions sometimes ask for a CD check, but only seldom.

Not much worse IMHO, it's just that I prefer downloading to getting CDs and DVDs

C. : Lokasoft engines

Programs can be downloaded, you get a serial number, after that see A.

Should get same rank as A probably, but on my computers the programs sometimes
forgot their licenses - and then you have to search for them ( on which computer
could the email be stored ?! ) . On the other hand user support has been very
patient and helpful , so the true ranking varies between A and C.

D. : ChessMaster

Programs comes with CD and effectively needs the CD in the drive all the time (
claims it doesn't, but as it asks so often you effectively need it all the time)
.

Worst but still acceptable to me.


---

None of these systems require communication with the vendor after you got CDs or
keys, programs can be installed on every PC you want to , including future ones.

I am not sure if my habit of simply installing the program on all my computers
is against the license policy of one of them, but in case it is , the vendor
clearly doesn't mind .

--

Of course the Fruit policy is not more *expensive* in principle, or "evil" or
you name it. *No one* claimed anything like that btw, so I don't understand your
need to post a "rant". But you might agree that it is clearly a bit more of a
hazzle .

>I hope this didn't offend anyone, nor do I want to upset anyone. I'm just
>frustrated that people can't see the whole picture, and are attacking Fabian
>because he wants to keep his investment profitable and fair.
>
>Josh


I followed this discussion, but can't remember having read a single post
"attacking Fabian". And I actually wish him every possible success in the world
.

Peter



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