Where is it, the next logical step in computing? Like most computer users I own some programs that I use on a regular base. These include things such as a word processor, an html editor, a mail program and so on. I have bought these and have usually not regretted paying for them. But then there are some other programs that I use – say two to three times a year or less, like video processing or audio editing. And some of them are expensive and become outright unbearably expensive in relation to the amount of time that I have them running on my machine. On some occasions I can make do with demo versions that expire after a few days and, if I am lucky, they will have a new one by the time I need the program again. But that is no solution. Running copied or cracked versions isn’t either, because it is not fair to those who write the programs (I know what I’m talking about, since I am one of them) and would be the end of progress in software development for those items that are not sold often enough.
Since I am certain not to be the only one who has this problem, I would like to see a new development: software on demand. Why can’t I have – for example – FinalCut as a video-editing program on my computer in a version that needs a software key with that key residing on a server in California. For the few hours a year I need the program I would log into a website that enables my program to run while keeping track of the on-time. In the end I would get a bill and pay just for the amount of hours I used the program.
A different idea would be to work like a car rental, or an Internet Cafe. I go to a place where they have the software running on a machine, I do my thing, copy the finished product onto a stick or burn it on a DVD and take it home or to wherever I need it.
One could even imagine a business model with leasing software. I would then pay for the amount of time I used it, every time I am working with a particular piece of software and if I run up a certain amount of money that equals or surpasses the price of the software, I get to own it. This way I would not even have to know beforehand whether it would be more reasonable to rent the piece of software or to buy it, which could be the case for programs that have a steep learning curve.
(Pass this one on to Steve!)
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