Shareware Case Study

Date: Tue, 04 Oct 94 16:12:10 CDT From: Rob Shaw <shawr@Ext.Missouri.edu> Subject: Shareware Survey Text item: Text_1 While trying to enhance my virtual sensitivity for CPU multicultural issues ;) I came across this on (~shudder~) IBMPC-L and thought the Info-Mac folks might enjoy it: quoted material follows------------------------------------------- From: corbier@satelnet.org (Daniel Corbier) Subject: Shareware Author & User Case Study (brief summary) Date: 16 Sep 1994 03:44:21 -0400 The following is a very brief summary of the Shareware Author & User Case Study. Copyright 1994, by Daniel Corbier. All rights reserved. Answers are based on survey responses from shareware users, and successful authors. Standard disclaimers against liabilities apply. Q: What is the average price users pay for shareware programs? Users pay between $5 and $200 (US) per program. The most popular price is $25, and the average price paid per program is roughly $30. Q: Which methods of payment are used for registration? Most shareware registrations are done by check, followed by credit card. Some customers use both, while others indicate a strong preference for one over the other. People also register by money order, Compuserve, online doors, and cash. Q: How much time does it take users to evaluate shareware programs? Some register after the first use, while others register after years. How soon a user sends a payment depends on factors such as frequency of use, learning curve, personal cash flow, and more. Users do not always start using programs right after downloading them, neither do they always keep track of how long they evaluate these programs. Q: What prevents users from registering shareware programs? "Unreasonable price" represents by far the most common reason for not registering. It's followed by crippling, and then payment difficulties (currency exchange, etc...), nag screens, lack of support, unreachable authors, bugs, bad documentation, lack of money, expiration, laziness, too few reminders or promised features, inadequate upgrade policy, and bad author attitude. Q: Which factors motivate users to register? High quality, usefulness and then understanding/appreciation of the shareware concept or honesty are mentioned the most. Affordable price comes next. Other motivating factors include support, full functionality, good interface, free upgrades, extra features, reminder screens, good documentation, positive author attitude, easy methods of payment, printed manual, and limited time offers. Q: Which incentives are used by authors of programs users register? Users mention extra features the most, then free upgrades, followed by printed manuals. Other incentives include nag screens, full functionality, support, quality, usefulness, delays, random key press, price specials, source code, and expiration. Q: What percentage of users register? A shareware program gets registrations from anywhere betw…