(At least not right now)
I recently posted an article detailing 8 useable, even superior, free alternatives to overpriced software. I caught quite a bit of flack, and got quite a bit of hate-mail/hate-comments from users who sounded suspiciously like they were either developers, or brainwashed by the big software companies.
In part two, I attempt to explain my distaste for overpriced software. Notice the bold, more on that later.
In a country where the starting salary for an MD can be as little as $100k, why are many computer programmers salaries (rumored to be) starting above $60k, and many making much more than that. I included the “rumored to be” because I know Microsoft fanboys will try to discount this entire article based on my figures. I admit I did a small amount of research, via job-listings sites and averaged out the starting pay for several different types of programmers.
That is neither here nor there, because the point I am trying to make is that the big software companies, and individual programmers working for them, make entirely too much money. This money is made almost entirely from sticking it to the little guy, be it small businesses, or individuals.
If you take a look at the Adobe/Macromedia store the prices are astronomical. Why should anybody have to pay $995 for Acrobat 3d? How about $649 for Photoshop? The GIMP is, admittedly, lacking in many areas. Even so, how can Adobe justify charging these prices for a piece of software that has free alternatives that are almost as robust? Or even 50% of the quality of Photoshop?
Even if they sell 2000 copies of Photoshop, that is over $1.2 million dollars in Adobe’s pocket. What could the cost of development possibly be when GIMP is as far along as it is, having made no money, and paid no developers? Think about it.
How is it that Microsoft can’t make an application as stable and secure as (free) Linux, when they charge the prices they do? Where is all that money going? To keep Bill on the cover of Forbes?
Now, I want to clarify. I am not proposing pirating these pieces of software, I am also not saying that no software is worth my money. There are many small-time developers making some truly interesting and quality products, that I would gladly pay for. I have a paid copy of Trillian, because it’s a quality product, priced reasonably.
I am not, however, in favor of lining the pockets of Microsoft and Adobe and until their software prices drop significantly, I will continue to hold firm to my opinion.