Hi Jim, just got back into town and I see all these messages to me on some thread I've never heard of. Needless to say, I took a look and sure enough, looks like a distant cousin of mine, Bocephus, seems to have been using my SI account again. It's a terrible inconvenience and I am, of course, profusely apologetic.
I couldn't help notice a few things, though. First, there's a few concepts about the software industry which you may want to refresh since you're a CS major working in the computer industry. I realize that it's a big industry as you say, but some of this is pretty basic 'Computer Geek' 101 stuff. Since you've asked for time efficiency, I'm sure you'll appreciate it so let's take some time to go over it just so any investors can stay on top of things.
1. Message 4203084
“That will mean that these y2k patches will be shareware”
No Jim, that doesn't at all mean Y2K patches will be shareware. Shareware is a marketing concept whereby software is released under a voluntary payment program. That is to say, "Here, try my software and if you like it, send me five bux. If not, please discontinue use."
Opinions vary on how effective this is, but in the very least, it's a nice "community spirit" kind of thing. Your expectation that the bulk of the commercial software industry supposedly covered on the 11th Hour CD will provide shareware patching is absolutely inconceivable. (…if we're to believe CSHK marketing efforts — “The database currently holds over 10,000 entries of different software and their compliance information”)
2. Message 4195444
“This product is compatible across PC and Macintosh platforms.”
Jim, nothing in the press releases or the website says anything about this. The press releases specify that it was tested on Win95 only quicken.excite.com
The website "suggests" Win3.X and DOS. 11th-hoursw.com Funny, this is kind of important stuff—you'd think everybody could at least tout the same "facts".
3. Here: Message 4194981
you state, “they aren't sending the software out RIGHT now.. cuz you just don't grab the disk and throw it out on the internet.. gotta package it... market it... get some distributors lined up...”
and here: Message 4195444
you state, “They plan on using initially the internet... then print... (direct response) and eventually retail.”
..and the company "seems" to be getting it's site set up for ecommerce: 11th-hoursw.com (well, they're providing the "appearance" of it although nothing really works).
Jim, you're generalizations of "packaging" and "marketing" and "distributors" don't have anything to do with putting up a self-extracting archive, and then completing credit card transactions. A good web guy can do this in days. And if they're setting up for ecommerce, why have a "beta" area which is "coming soon"? Real software companies doesn't approach stuff this way. Of course, CASHCO says they're not a "software" company, they're a marketing firm capitalizing on opportunities in the market.
Amazing. Why? It's not unheard of for software companies to be ignorant of marketing aspects which foster sales success. So they hire a marketing firm for guidance. And a marketing firm, knowing the importance of public perception, wouldn't play it this way. Put up a completely non-functional site with just a front page blurb—and then toss out press releases? Have a "beta sign-up" area built in as part of the permanent page navigation along with "tech support" and "investor relations"? Huh? No way.
So it appears that Cashco is neither a software company or a marketing firm. Funny though, they are selling stock. Not doing too bad at it, either. Hey Jimbo—what do you think—maybe they ought to just put the whole software thing in the can, and instead, be a shell company that sells stock. What do you think? Sounds good to me.
So Jimmybob, is this more to your liking for info? There's something very, very stinky here and it's not just the cat shit.
-Bill Ulrich |
