Can You Sell Open Source Software As Generic Software?
from the someone's-gonna-try dept
Michael Robertson is at it again. Starting new companies and trying to shake up the status quo. A lot of people don't like his style, which often involves goading the companies he's trying to undercut into suing him, but he certainly gets attention. He's now trying, yet again. This time taking a page similar to his adventures with Linspire -- which was based on the idea of taking Linux to the masses by packaging it in a friendly way. Om Malik points out that Robertson's latest effort, CompareSoft is about packaging and marketing other open source applications to make them more consumer friendly. So, yes, basically taking things like OpenOffice and GIMP and putting them in a nice box and selling them in a store for much less than Microsoft Office or PhotoShop. Even though people can download them for free, he's betting they'll be willing to pay for the nice packaging, which will make them feel more comfortable. He's comparing it to the generic drug market, saying that this is like "generic" software. Of course, the analogy breaks down because there isn't an easy way to just download generic drugs for free just yet...
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Business people like Michael...
I can only hope to be as creative some day.
The summary is factually correct but slants the information in such a way as to imply that what he is doing with CompareSoft is morally wrong or that the people who would buy CompareSoft are somehow being duped.
It is my opinion that nothing could be further from the truth. What he is doing is capitalism and marketing at its best. He is providing a service and being paid for that service.
How many small businesses that buy the majority of their software from a Staples or an OfficeMax have never heard of open source software? Don't know that a second option exists? Well, according to Michael's marketing research 90+%. He is providing an option for these individuals and companies that will save them substantial cost. And yes, provide them the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from buying an attractive box with comforting, official-looking corporate information.
I applaud his efforts and wish him the best.
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Re: Business people like Michael...
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Re: Business people like Michael...
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Re: Business people like Michael...
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No Subject Given
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Re: No Subject Given
The $200 for Windows is worth it just for the level of support.
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Re: No Subject Given
Except that when you get down to it, there is actually very little free support (from Microsoft) even once you have bought Windows. You still have to pay to actually call, wait on hold for 3 hours, and eventually talk to a human being that usually ends up being lacking in the IQ department anyways. So no, you're not really paying $200 for the added support, just the product, which, frankly, I would just rather get it for free without the "support" that I don't get anyways.
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Michael Robertson's CompareSoft is an excellent in
Yes, the software market via these channels is peaking, however it is still worth billions of dollars.
By providing open source solutions for this market segment (e.g. boxed products, step-by-step tutorials, etc) Michael Robertson will introduce many millions to OSS that otherwise would spend many more years under the thumb of Microsoft.
Congratulations to Michael Robertson for an excellent initiative.
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Re: Michael Robertson's CompareSoft is an excellen
Not forgetting that at all. As I said, I think it's a decent idea, but won't be *that* big. There are a few reasons why:
(1) There are other, cheaper software products on the shrink wrap market, and they don't sell all that well. Microsoft is still the recognized brand, and even if other packages are compatible, people don't feel comfortable with them.
(2) For things like Microsoft Office, many, many people still get them bundled when they buy a computer, rather than buying retail. And, then, they're more interested in upgrading, rather than getting something entirely new.
The GIMP offering may have a better shot, but only if they're selling GIMPshop instead of regular GIMP. Regular GIMP still confuses a lot of your average Windows software users.
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No Subject Given
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I think its fine
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Re: Counting on the idocy of the masses.
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Re: Counting on the idocy of the masses.
What a dismal view of the world!
Also, in this case, I believe you are confusing stupidity for ignorance. The people that will buy ComapreSoft aren't stupid, on the contrary, they will be doing a Compare(ison) and choosing what appears to be a very similar product for significantly less money. That's not stupid.
They are however quite ignorant of there options prior to walking into the store, otherwise as some have pointed out they MAY have downloaded the software for free from the Internet.
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Re: Counting on the idocy of the masses.
We can make diamonds, either better or just as they appear in nature. It's just carbon, and it amazed me it took us as long as we did.
And, if I'm not mistaken, the only way to tell a well made artificial diamond with the 'real thing' is because the companies that make the artificial ones sort of caved in and embedded their logo or some such thing microscopically on the diamond somewhere, but I know for years jewlers were wetting their pants over what a run of the mill factory in Jacksonville was pouring out every day. They cost like two bucks a pop to make, too.
Yet, women continue to pay obscene amounts for something that 'came from the earth'. Yeah. A) Diamonds are far more numerous than emeralds, its just called monopoly and B) the peridotite portion of the earths crust is a veritable diamond field. They ain't special -- but as guys, of course, we still have to please them...
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Good For Him!
Get a few companies on board, and families and regular consumers will follow.
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Gimp
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Can You Sell Open Source Software As Generic Software?
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Ann
SEO
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