Not paying for software
This post was originally going to be about some of my favourite applications on the Mac, things changed when the trial period expired on one of these applications, prompting me to pay to continue use.
Regardless of this issue, my favourite set of applications for the Mac are currently:
- EventBox – Twitter, Facebook, Flickr desktop integration
- Things – Tasks Management
- LittleSnapper – Screenshot organisation
- Spotify – Music
- TextMate – Text editor, IDE
- iPhoto – Photo management
- Vienna – RSS reader
- Quicksilver – application launcher
In here are a mixture of paid-for, open source, bundled and freeware applications. The thing that persuades me to ‘favourite’ these applications is the relationship I have with them. Relationship, come on your kidding me! No, I have a relationship with these applications (and more), I work with them all day, sometimes night, they frustrate me, impress me and help me to enjoy my experience in trying to reach an objective.
My issue; parting with my hard earned money. I have paid for two pieces of software in the past; Windows XP (Home Edition) and Salling Clicker, both of which being an eventual waste of money. No later than two weeks after buying Windows XP, I bought a new laptop that came pre-installed with Windows XP (Pro) and similarly soon after purchasing Salling Clicker to remote control my Mac Mini, Apple released some remote control software for the iPod touch and iPhone to do the same job but better (native).
These bad experiences could be said to be coincidental, but the issue is prevalent, software is über competitive and fast paced.
Open source has instilled me with confidence in adopting software, I enjoy open source projects tremendously as I feel comfortable with using a product that has been impartially constructed by extremely passionate developers.
Freeware and bundled software: Spotify and iPhoto respectfully are great for me as they offer superior interfaces and functionality for free, can’t complain there.
Admission time, I am tight, it takes a lot for me to part with my money and I am extremely cautious. Bad thing? Not in my book, keeping tabs on personal finances is fundamental to ensure financial stability.
Conclusion
Why pay for something when there is a perfectly reasonable free alternative? Lets keep this simple, of the above paid for favourites here are some free alternatives.
- EventBox – Twitterific
- Things – iCal
- LittleSnapper – Paparazzi
- Spotify – Last.fm (for the paid for services)
- TextMate – Eclipse
5 Comments
I reckon you came about LittleSnapper because you build your sites with RapidWeaver.
Paying for software is not in any way bad. You expect to get paid when you do a good job, right? Your time isn’t free, and quality costs. Same deal with application developers. Software piracy has essentially spoiled each and every computer user on earth into thinking they’re entitled to software for free. They’re not entitled to it. The reason you pay for things is a minimum level of service and quality. Free and open source very rarely gives you that guarantee when it comes to desktop applications.
So in that sense I have absolutely no problem paying (out of my own pocket) for applications which make my life easier. To name a few: OmniFocus, Textmate, VMWare, Transmit, and OmniWeb. These are good programs, and they enhance my productivity and enjoyment when using the thing that makes me money – my Mac.
The key phrase here is “reasonable”. You can’t seriously pretend that iCal is a reasonable substitute for things? Apple’s todo list is woefully underpowered and not in any way comparable. Same deal for Eclipse and TextMate. These are not expensive programs.
@Ad ousted!
@Bradley circumstantial maybe, owing to my employer paying for pre-bundled applications. My take on this topic if I were running freelance or heading up my own company would most likely be different, possibly seeing paid-for tools a necessity. Still my point is still true in that I feel that for every piece of paid-for software out there, there is an alternative (‘reasonable’ up for debate).
Piracy is bad, period. Personally I would never pirate. This could and is be a bad mentality to *expect* everything to be free. We are moving in a direction however where a plethora of applications are being hosted (for free in most cases) on the web which should hopefully capture those who were prepared to pirate alternative software.
Your right in that there is some clarity needed on the term ‘reasonable’, my intention was more ‘compromise’ shall we say. Having said that I do not have problems with iCal, I just think Things does a better job at its intended task. Eclipse, again, a great application, I just find that using the same tool as others around me (TextMate) more beneficial in terms of consistency, support and integration.
The overall purpose of this post was to raise my thoughts on my (and others) hesitation to press the buy button on software.
Спасибо, очень интерестная статья! Только необходимо поправить шаблон блога, в Опере и в Мазиле искажается дизайн! А в ИЕ все нормально!