<Beta copies, mostly, Sal. They charge for the production version. If you don't pay for that you are technically stealing, as with all shareware.Microsoft provides theirs (the production version) totally free of charge, unless you get it at Egghead rather than the Internet or in Windows, in which case I think the shrinkwrapped CD was about 8 bucks the last time I was there.>
The FACT of the matter is that NSCP effectively gives away a considerable abount of both production and beta browsers. MSFT simply doesn't carry on the charade. We all know how to prevent software piracy by intefering with copying process. There are no physical barriers to to piracy in the NSCP browser, and this is most likely done on purpose.
Market share = share of the market
If you discount free browsers or browsers sold below the cost of production (marketing, distribution, and R&D), then you might as well chop NSCP's market share in half.
<but the Microsoft forces keep forgetting that they have always found themselves in an indefensible position regarding bundling. And it is a serious issue. This is, after all, the issue on which IBM was stopped, decades ago.>
As for bundling, NSCP bundles considerable software with their browser, where are the complaints? I know Eudora, the ex-email king has a problem with NSCP's monopolistic practices and predatory pricing. Did they call the Justice Department? Should they have? Does NSCP's actions make them an "evil empire" too? |
