Re: Zone Alarm Pro demanding more money.

From: Mike (mike.hall.mail_at_sympatico.ca)
Date: 05/31/04 

Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 09:59:58 -0400

Derrick

Most warranties/guarantees are for one year only.. most subscriptions are
for one year only.. of course, there are companies who see fit to extend the
period, but they make you aware of this in bold lettering.. so we can safely
assume that if no mention is made of a longer
warranty/guarantee/subscription. then it will be for one year only..

Why is the printer ink issue a rip off?.. modern printers are way more ink
efficient than ever they used to be.. one would have to assume that you do
not have a barbeque because it would require a continual supply of gas..
what kind of rip off is that?

Your post came across as somebody whining about having to pay for a service
that somebody has expended time and expense providing.. your seeming
resistence to paying a reasonable amout marks you not as somebody who posted
in a hurry, but somebody who is a cheapskate/freeloader..

"Derrick Fawsitt" <46@fitzwilliamonline.com> wrote in message
news:w4GHDmAgTuuAFwPX@fitzwilliamonline.com...
> 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

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