--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Alan King <alan@...> wrote:
>Hard to figure a way where people can't cheat easily.
I'm pretty sure that's one of the main reasons they ∗haven't∗ already
done an unlimited non-commercial one. I have a feeling that if the
Eagle people knew any of those who frequent places like this, on a
"personal" level, they'd gladly let most of us run a fully functional
version for whatever we could realistically afford to pay at our
level. A genuine interest, and a willingness to use money from your
own pocket, with no profits or reimbursement in sight, strictly for
the "learning experience", is a pretty admirable intention to have. It
would be cool if they had some sort of a "group buy", where mods,etc.,
from DIY forums and groups like this, could supply vouchers for their
active members, to allow for a sort of "student" discount. I don't
think most people talking about toner transfers, DIY etch tanks, or
GPL-based web projects, are looking at making enough money to
constitute a few hundred dollars for their circuit apps. I've seen
several here who do indeed appear to have a wealth of knowledge on
larger scale layout and PCB design rules, but the fact that they're
here, sort of implies that they are likely to enjoy helping and
learning from others.
I'm sure I'll sound like a cheapskate to someone here, but I think the
prices Pete mentioned are plenty, for some of us "eternally non-
profit" types. Maybe $150 or below, for a full featured app, ideally
even $100 or below. I still think there are some critical "commercial"
functions they could target, without attacking the board size or
number of parts. Even just a limit to double-sided boards would likely
knock out a bunch of demo-ware exploiters. I could probably fish out a
hundred functions in there which I don't even understand, much less
ever see myself using, which are probably crucial to anyone sending
boards off for mass production.
I also still believe that if the limits,etc. force some people
elsewhere, and they remain fairly "non-profit", I can't see any reason
why they would return to pay a few hundred later on, and have to re-
learn whatever the current Eagle is, after growing accustomed to an
alternative. Probably not the outcome they have in mind.
For the sake of split personality, I'll add one other thing to
consider, for anyone who may still be reading. As someone recently
mentioned in another forum regarding software piracy: Many non-
professionals will claim that by using a "pirated" version of
something way beyond their skill bracket or budget, the developer
isn't actually 'losing' any sales, because they wouldn't use it at all
if it weren't "free". What they often don't realize, is that they may
inadvertently be stealing from someone way more deserving or in need,
as the smaller developers really ARE catering to people on that level.
With the "harmless" freeware version, they have the option of jumping
right over something they could actually have afforded, which might
suit all their needs just the same.
One of the first mainstream computer audio systems was an app. called
"ProTools" by Digidesign (actually hardware too). Being sort of a
pioneer, it grew into sort of a "standard" with all the pro studios,
and the name quickly spread down through the clients and smaller
studios. To make a long story short, a few years later, they
introduced a "freeware" version of the software, along with a couple
entry level hardware offerings. All were limited in several areas, but
they allowed students, hobbyists, and home studios the ability to run
the "industry standard" system, which they would ultimately need to
know how to use should they go "pro". Digi could easily afford to
distribute the freeware and baby ProTools packages, often at prices
which smaller developers couldn't begin to compete with. Needless to
say, it pretty much ruined the market for quite a few younger audio
packages.
If anyone knows that name, I really don't mean to clump CadSoft in
with them. I was a ProTools owner from the first series, and I quickly
realized that their support of previous customers, and their upgrade
policies, were often a bit "questionable". I'm trusting the Eagle guys
have more honorable intentions for those startup packages.
Thinking about this has made me realize that after learning some basic
and/or confusing Eagle navigation, I must admit, I never really gave
any of those other ones a chance. At the first sign of any bumps or
features I couldn't figure out, I usually left. It sucks to think that
many of us may be depriving some brilliant young programmers of the
resources and feedback, which may blossom into something we'd all be
proud to use. As you know, the young places often times are also more
"in-tune" to individual user's bug reports and feature requests. Some
of their instability, may only be a result of the smaller user base,
leftover from Freagle's omnipotence in this end of the market.
I'm going to make a point over the next few days, to give an honest
effort to using that "DipTrace" thing from Jim's (jriggen55) post, and
anything else I can demo which doesn't immediately crash on me. ;)
Sorry for the long-a∗∗ post!
George