7 ms·

You seem to have overlooked that CDs and DVDs aren't the main way to get programs now. You can download them from the internet.

mthoms 16y ago
And with respect, you seem to have overlooked that average users (ie. not people who read HN) still buy millions of dollars of boxed software/games/movies yearly. Sure downloading software was/is the inevitable future, getting rid of the optical drive just gives the average Joe the little push he needs to get with it quicker.
- ubernostrum 16y ago
  None of my Mac-owning, non-programming, non-HN-reading friends buy software that comes on discs in boxes.
  - mthoms 16y ago
    Anecdotal evidence. Irrelevant. Edit: Truly confused about the downvotes (and upvotes for parent). Since when is anecdotal evidence a good supporting argument in a discussion on HN?
    - apl 16y ago
      It's not good evidence, but it's definitely not irrelevant either. Don't be childish! By the way, I can confirm that observation. Now we're at N=2.
      - dododo 16y ago
        the plural of anecdote is not data. from 2003, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110814573.html http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110814573.html Once the decision to purchase is made, 78 percent of the participants said they wanted to use the product right away and therefore choose to immediately download the software. When purchasing CD-ROM versions, specifically, 46 percent requested delivery within a few days. they don't mention sample size and perhaps have an agenda.
        jokermatt999 16y ago
        The plural of anecdote is not data indeed, and what was provided was anecdotal evidence. However, was there any evidence provided to the contrary (users do buy software on CD)? I think the reason the anecdote was upvoted was due to the lack of supporting evidence for the contrary conclusion. I'll give you games and movies (although Steam seems to be making great inroads toward making CD games obsolete), but I sincerely doubt that the majority of Mac software is purchased on CD and not through the internet.
  - ZeroGravitas 16y ago
    Not even iWork, iLife and Mac OS X upgrades?

mthoms 16y ago

And with respect, you seem to have overlooked that average users (ie. not people who read HN) still buy millions of dollars of boxed software/games/movies yearly. Sure downloading software was/is the inevitable future, getting rid of the optical drive just gives the average Joe the little push he needs to get with it quicker.

ubernostrum 16y ago
None of my Mac-owning, non-programming, non-HN-reading friends buy software that comes on discs in boxes.
- mthoms 16y ago
  Anecdotal evidence. Irrelevant. Edit: Truly confused about the downvotes (and upvotes for parent). Since when is anecdotal evidence a good supporting argument in a discussion on HN?
  - apl 16y ago
    It's not good evidence, but it's definitely not irrelevant either. Don't be childish! By the way, I can confirm that observation. Now we're at N=2.
    - dododo 16y ago
      the plural of anecdote is not data. from 2003, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110814573.html http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110814573.html Once the decision to purchase is made, 78 percent of the participants said they wanted to use the product right away and therefore choose to immediately download the software. When purchasing CD-ROM versions, specifically, 46 percent requested delivery within a few days. they don't mention sample size and perhaps have an agenda.
      - jokermatt999 16y ago
        The plural of anecdote is not data indeed, and what was provided was anecdotal evidence. However, was there any evidence provided to the contrary (users do buy software on CD)? I think the reason the anecdote was upvoted was due to the lack of supporting evidence for the contrary conclusion. I'll give you games and movies (although Steam seems to be making great inroads toward making CD games obsolete), but I sincerely doubt that the majority of Mac software is purchased on CD and not through the internet.
- ZeroGravitas 16y ago
  Not even iWork, iLife and Mac OS X upgrades?