General gripe

G

Greg

I realize this might not be the correct newsgroup to drop this in but I feel
I just gotta throw out this gripe and see if anyone else feels the same. I
recently purchased a Sony Vaio laptop I noticed that it come with 'Trial'
Versions of Office 2003 Student and Teacher edition and Norton Internet
security. A 90 day trial of the both. Does anyone else feel like this is BS
and computer manufacturers are just doing this to save a buck or two. I also
repair computers in my spare time and I have had several people ask me about
the same thing - they are peeved to find out that they have to go out and
spend an additional $150 to get the office software that was pre-installed on
their new PC to work again. In my opinion they would be better off if it
wasn't even installed to begin with. Microsoft really - seriously needs some
competition!
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

It's simply a test drive. Have you ever test-driven a new vehicle
and then forced to buy it afterward. Of course not!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|I realize this might not be the correct newsgroup to drop this in but I feel
| I just gotta throw out this gripe and see if anyone else feels the same. I
| recently purchased a Sony Vaio laptop I noticed that it come with 'Trial'
| Versions of Office 2003 Student and Teacher edition and Norton Internet
| security. A 90 day trial of the both. Does anyone else feel like this is BS
| and computer manufacturers are just doing this to save a buck or two. I also
| repair computers in my spare time and I have had several people ask me about
| the same thing - they are peeved to find out that they have to go out and
| spend an additional $150 to get the office software that was pre-installed on
| their new PC to work again. In my opinion they would be better off if it
| wasn't even installed to begin with. Microsoft really - seriously needs some
| competition!
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

I wish they'd dump the trial version too but for different reasons. And I
have a bigger problem with people who don't *completely* check out a
computer's specifications, including the software. Why is it Microsoft's (or
the computer manufacturer's) fault that a potential buyer was too lazy to
read what they were getting for their money? And yes, I mean lazy. I don't
have a problem with someone who reads, doesn't understand, and then asks
someone who does. My problem is with people who just see $399 and thinks
they are getting a $500 software package included in that price.
 
T

Tom Willett

....and, the rest of us have to pay for our software, don't we JoAnn?

Tom

|I wish they'd dump the trial version too but for different reasons. And I
| have a bigger problem with people who don't *completely* check out a
| computer's specifications, including the software. Why is it Microsoft's
(or
| the computer manufacturer's) fault that a potential buyer was too lazy to
| read what they were getting for their money? And yes, I mean lazy. I don't
| have a problem with someone who reads, doesn't understand, and then asks
| someone who does. My problem is with people who just see $399 and thinks
| they are getting a $500 software package included in that price.
|
| --
|
| JoAnn Paules
| MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
|
|
|
|
| | >I realize this might not be the correct newsgroup to drop this in but I
| >feel
| > I just gotta throw out this gripe and see if anyone else feels the same.
I
| > recently purchased a Sony Vaio laptop I noticed that it come with
'Trial'
| > Versions of Office 2003 Student and Teacher edition and Norton Internet
| > security. A 90 day trial of the both. Does anyone else feel like this is
| > BS
| > and computer manufacturers are just doing this to save a buck or two. I
| > also
| > repair computers in my spare time and I have had several people ask me
| > about
| > the same thing - they are peeved to find out that they have to go out
and
| > spend an additional $150 to get the office software that was
pre-installed
| > on
| > their new PC to work again. In my opinion they would be better off if it
| > wasn't even installed to begin with. Microsoft really - seriously needs
| > some
| > competition!
|
|
 
J

JoAnn Paules [MVP]

I sure have. I've spent good money making sure that I have the software I
need to do whatever job I have ahead of me. I've even purchased fonts
because I couldn't find "the right one" that I needed for a newsletter. I
used to get a discount on some software packages but since I no longer work
for that company, I check Amazon.com's prices first. :)
 
M

Mike Hall

Greg

Microsoft release trialware such that people can try before they buy..
computer vendors supply it because the software bundle makes the package
look a whole lot better than it otherwise would.. it is all down to
perceived 'value'..

As per JoAnn's reply, you should always ensure that you know what you are
getting.. asking the salesperson may or may not make you party to the truth
in it's entirety..
 
D

David R. Norton MVP Shell/User

Mike Hall said:
Greg

Microsoft release trialware such that people can try before they buy..
computer vendors supply it because the software bundle makes the package
look a whole lot better than it otherwise would.. it is all down to
perceived 'value'..

As per JoAnn's reply, you should always ensure that you know what you are
getting.. asking the salesperson may or may not make you party to the truth
in it's entirety..
Click to expand...

I think people fail to understand they're NOT PAYING for the trial versions
of software, Microsoft and others usually provide trial versions free to
vendors and they're included as an advertising scheme hoping to get people
to buy.

I personally agree with the OP that trial versions should NOT be included
with a new computer because there seems to be so much confusion about
trials.

There's nothing wrong with giving the purchaser the link to download a trial
version of Office or other software and the vendor could even offer to pay
shipping if the buyer prefers to get the CD but the buyer should be forced
to go to the software companies site, read the information provided and then
be required to sign a statement that he/she/it knows the software will only
function for a limited time.
 
B

Beth Melton

On the flip side, for those who do have OEM versions of software
installed, such as Office or Norton:

1. The software is licensed only to the computer it came with and it
can not be installed on another computer.

A retail version can usually be installed on your desktop and laptop.
The Student and Teacher's edition, if you're eligible to use it, can
be installed on three computers. Should you purchase another computer
you can transfer the software.

2. Typically, if you do not purchase a support agreement from the OEM
you are out of luck if you lose your CD key or need a replacement CD.
Since it is an OEM version you obtain support from the OEM - not
Microsoft. Additionally, should you lose your CD key many of the OEMs
will not provide a replacement even if you have the support agreement.
They'll tell you that you need to purchase the software again and, of
course, they blame it on Microsoft when that's really not the case.

If you have a retail version, as long as Microsoft is still supporting
the software you can obtain a replacement key and media without a
support agreement.

3. The majority of OEM support I've dealt with for software related
issues just plain stinks.

Microsoft support is actually pretty good these days. Several years
ago I wouldn't have said this, btw.

Those who do get software pre-installed on their computer usually have
even more gripes AND it has cost them money. In this case, it has cost
you nothing and you have been given an opportunity to test the
software before it costs you. If I'm not mistaken, you are informed
that you are using a trial version so it shouldn't be a big surprise
when the trial expires.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
 
M

Mike Hall

Users most definitely do not understand that they haven't actually paid
anything for the trials but, as far as most are concerned, if it was
included in the general computer package, then they have paid for it. This
is an issue that has to be taken up with the manufacturer/vendors and retail
resellers in the way that the products are marketed.

As far as I am aware, the software reports that there are only 'x' number of
days left? This surely suggests that the software will NOT work after the
trial period. Any longer a message, and I doubt that many would even bother
to read it. As it is, the message is reasonably clear.

I still can't believe that some fail to activate XP within the time period
despite repeated reminders, and then complain because everything has become
'pear shaped'. There has to be some onus on the end user/operator to take
note of what is being told to them, and in the event that they do not
understand, to find out from somebody who knows.

I think that an icon on the desktop that initiates a warning and gives the
user a choice of installing Office would be a very good idea. The supply of
an Office CD will not go down too well. It is difficult enough to get an OS
CD out of Dell, HP and other vendors.

Sorted.. :)
 
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