4 ms·

Get people to use it when they're in school, and they'll ask their employers to buy it when they start working.

by w1ntermute 12y ago

pavs 12y ago
doesn't microsoft have a similar program with colleges for the last 10-15 years or so?
- mnx 12y ago
  Yes. We use Visual Studio at school, and I can get it for free from their website. But looking at how much do the premium versions cost, I try not to get used to any of the features too much.
  - slipperyp 12y ago
    You shouldn't let that scare you away. There's a good article from Joel on Software about how software is priced. It might be this (it's long enough and old enough it might be right): http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CamelsandRubberDuckies.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CamelsandRubberDuckie... but essentially you're likely to find many models of software (from large software vendors) with a lot of different models for how you can try / use / own it. My sense is that most commercial software vendors want you to use their software and want you to get it legitimately and want to find a way where you can pay what vaguely seems like it should be mutually agreeable (if you're using it educationally, there are often ways to get it for free, if you're a developer for a large organization, they want that organization to actually pay for it and support the value they're getting out of you using it). I worked on MS Office and I once remember Sinofsky (then in charge of Office) once talking about the pricing structure of Office and saying nobody paid the ~$400 MSRP. People get it bundled with new computers, pay substantially lower upgrade fees, or something else. I don't remember if he went so far as to say "at some level, people pirate it" but that's a reality that only the really oblivious would ignore. The point is - try stuff out, see what you like, and try to figure out what makes you the most productive without worrying about "some day I won't be able to afford this" (but by all means you should also rabble-rouse if you find the prices for the software you use are unreasonable and inflexible).
ticviking 12y ago
And? They make a tool that is useful and multiplies my productivity. If my boss wouldn't buy it I would, and then I'd start looking for a boss who is willing to spend a reasonable amount on my toolset.
- Chronic29 12y ago
  You would leave your current job or team to find a boss who buys you software...

Get people to use it when they're in school, and they'll ask their employers to buy it when they start working.

pavs 12y ago

doesn't microsoft have a similar program with colleges for the last 10-15 years or so?

mnx 12y ago
Yes. We use Visual Studio at school, and I can get it for free from their website. But looking at how much do the premium versions cost, I try not to get used to any of the features too much.
- slipperyp 12y ago
  You shouldn't let that scare you away. There's a good article from Joel on Software about how software is priced. It might be this (it's long enough and old enough it might be right): http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CamelsandRubberDuckies.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CamelsandRubberDuckie... but essentially you're likely to find many models of software (from large software vendors) with a lot of different models for how you can try / use / own it. My sense is that most commercial software vendors want you to use their software and want you to get it legitimately and want to find a way where you can pay what vaguely seems like it should be mutually agreeable (if you're using it educationally, there are often ways to get it for free, if you're a developer for a large organization, they want that organization to actually pay for it and support the value they're getting out of you using it). I worked on MS Office and I once remember Sinofsky (then in charge of Office) once talking about the pricing structure of Office and saying nobody paid the ~$400 MSRP. People get it bundled with new computers, pay substantially lower upgrade fees, or something else. I don't remember if he went so far as to say "at some level, people pirate it" but that's a reality that only the really oblivious would ignore. The point is - try stuff out, see what you like, and try to figure out what makes you the most productive without worrying about "some day I won't be able to afford this" (but by all means you should also rabble-rouse if you find the prices for the software you use are unreasonable and inflexible).

ticviking 12y ago

And? They make a tool that is useful and multiplies my productivity. If my boss wouldn't buy it I would, and then I'd start looking for a boss who is willing to spend a reasonable amount on my toolset.

Chronic29 12y ago
You would leave your current job or team to find a boss who buys you software...