Digital BW, The Print

Hello Mitch,

>This has not been my experience...

Thanks for presenting the other side.  Even though I don't use IP,
being a software developer I'd like to add some comments about the
price and the dongle:

price - their price is probably a realistic reflection of their costs.
 Complex programs require talented programmers, which don't come
cheap.  It order to stay in business for the long haul they have to
pay their people good salaries to keep them, and still earn a livable
profit.   Every company has to decide what it's target market is. 
Obviously they have targeted the professionals, not the consumers. 
Only the professionals can afford the price they need to get.  If a
pro can afford 8k for a 1Ds and 3k for a 7600, then he/she can afford
IP as well - it's just another tool to be written off as an expense. 
Having someone like Roy Harrington who is willing to spend countless
hours writing a RIP for free is a rare blessing.  He must have a
source of income that allows him time to do it.  That's great, but it
is unrealistic to expect that all programs should be free or cheap. 
Most people have to earn a living from their endeavors.  

dongle - Unfortunately a pita, but one of the few ironclad defenses
against piracy.  Most software solutions can be hacked.  Also
unfortunately, their fear of piracy is well founded: the world _is_
full of thieves.  There is very little integrity in the world today. 
People of true integrity are a minority.  Would you go to the mall
without locking your car?  The only constraint against stealing seems
to be whether or not one can get away with it.  I have no doubt that
if the dongle were not used there would be many people using IP
without paying for it.  It's sad, but piracy is a fact of life.  I
know because my software is pirated.

IMO, we should be happy that IP exists and be willing to pay the
freight and keep the company healthy so they are still there tomorrow.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm