Re: Zone Alarm Pro demanding more money.
From: Derrick Fawsitt (46_at_fitzwilliamonline.com)
Date: 05/31/04
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Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 08:55:12 +0100
In message <eua014sREHA.3944@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>, *Vanguard*
<reply-to-newsgroup@to-email.use-Reply.obey-signature.invalid> writes
First of all, may I thank you for a most detailed, interesting and
helpful reply, may I very briefly defend myself as my original post was
produced at a time when I was in a considerable hurry and it has that
hallmark. For convenience and speed I will intersperse my comments
through your text.
>So how long (or how short) have you been using computers?
Quite a while now.
> Never heard
>of subscriptions?
Of course I have and don't mind an annual sub if I feel it is worth
while.
> Yes, you get to use the *software* lease indefinitely
>after you purchase it. The updates are not part of the software you
>purchased since obviously they cannot be included with the product at
>the time of purchase.
This is not true of quite a lot of software that I have on my PC, some
software does include free updates. However, when it does include
payment I don't mind paying it if it is a nominal sum as opposed to
paying what appears to be almost amounting to the original cost all over
again.
> You get a *subscription* with the purchase that
>lasts a year which allows you to download new signature files.
That should be made clear at the time of purchasing, I actually paid my
money to what appears to be a collecting agent and it is not made clear
that the so called purchase is a license that the software is only fully
updated for one year etc.
> You
>think for $30 to $80 that you get infinite support for as long as you
>live or the software survives on your computer and on the installation
>media you got? The research, analysis, and resources used to provide
>those updates cost money.
In some cases that is built into the original purchase price.
>
>When you buy a printer, do you think you get a lifetime supply of toner
>or cartridges?
Of course not but with printers that is yet another rip off and everyone
knows it.
> It is NOT like buying Word which is a static program
>that can be usable over years or decades depending on you providing the
>environment in which it can operate. Anti-virus software has to keep
>changing to reflect the current status of threats. The product would be
>worthless if all it protected you against was whatever was known at the
>time the CD image was laid down a months, a year, or more, before even
>when you bought the product.
OK, then try downloading AVG which is free and regularly updated, works
very well and has not cost "me" a penny, (sorry cent). However, I would
be prepared to pay a small amount each year to update it as it would
represent good value.
>
>With the typical rebates found on the products along with a discount for
>purchasing an upgrade, the price for buying the next full version with
>whatever improvements and bells it added is often close to the
>subscription price.
That's exactly what I am objecting to in the first place.
> If you are purchasing hundreds, or more, copies for
>your corporation then it makes sense to renew the subscription. For a
>single personal purchase, the difference of $10 is little savings and
>you might as well as buy the upgrade with its rebate.
>
>Norton Internet Security 2004 *upgrade* = $39.95
>Norton Internet Security 2003 *subscription* = $29.95
>So for $10 more you get the subscription AND the newest version.
>
>Norton AntiVirus 2004 *upgrade* = $29.95
>Norton AntiVirus 2003 *subscription* = $19.95
>For $10 more, you get the full new version plus 1-year subscription.
>
>Kaspersky AntiVirus Personal 5 full version = $49.95
>Key (subscription) = $49.95 (according to the order form)
>Without a promotional code to enter in their order form, the user has no
>clue as to what the subscription will actually cost. Apparently
>returning customers get a 30% discount so the cost would be $14.99 less.
>
All of the above research is very interesting and much appreciated but I
don't agree with its implementation, that's all.
>For a personal purchase, the difference in cost for getting a
>subscription renewal to your old version versus getting the new version
>is pretty small. Like printers are also known as "ink delivery systems"
>because the money is made with the toner and cartridge sales, the
>anti-virus products have become "subscription renewal systems" where the
>cost of the product is only minimally greater than the subscription
>itself. You're paying for their continued service during the
>subscription and their software is simply the delivery system provided
>to acquire that subscription.
The explanation of the reason for the undue cost does not excuse its
being charged in the first place. I have been on the ZA forum and a kind
chap told me to forget about the upgrades, keep my ZA as it is and
install a good adware and anti-virus system, he says "who needs the
upgrades" when you can cover your back door with other software and this
is what I will do. As you see, not all are in agreement with the
charging system.
>
>
>
However, thank you again for your time and trouble, much appreciated.
-- Derrick Fawsitt
- Next message: granny: "Re: windows xp professional--adding new external hard drive"
- Previous message: aliix: "hardrive enclosure problems"
- In reply to: *Vanguard*: "Re: Zone Alarm Pro demanding more money."
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