Survey posted 2003-03-18 18:12 by Henrik.

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No. Theoretically, you would make about enough money in a lifetime to... um... buy a computer. IF YOU ARE LUCKY!!!!!

Point being, first, there is not a market. I am not going to pay for something I could a. write myself, or b. definatly go without. Also, would you spend $5 on a calculator program (that you don't make money off of in the end)? I wouldn't. However, there is a market, but it is beyond the scope of this site. There is the market for engeneering software, but, I wouldn't have stats for that.

Also, someone said that they thought they think that all software should be free. Seriously, would you think that Adobe Photoshop should be free. I could see that in some worlds, people go hungry even though they release stuff that makes others rich.

Finally, calculators are not advanced enough to have a huge market. If they were computers, with mouses and color screens, sure, there is a market. But, is anyone using a calculator program on their calculator that makes them money??? Sure, money would be nice, but, if I never know who uses my stuff as it is, I think I'll just keep on writing for the fun.

I agree. If any money should be spent on software, it should be for an exceptional platform. No offence or anything, but TI calculators use ancient processors (Intel 8086 processors, which are the heart of z80 calcs, are some of the oldest commercialized chips ever, and MC68000 chips aren't that good either), and are thus slow. Additionally, they lack external or internal hardware upgrades (save the + package for TI-92's) that are supported by their manufacturer, the lack backlighting, color screens, and sound. Software for such computers should be free because there is not much public support for them as far as the average, non-TI Joe is concerned.

Again, no offence to TI graphing calculators. They may be slow, but they are fun to program for :)

> Intel 8086 processors, which are the heart of z80 calcs

STOP IT RIGHT THERE!!! The z80 series uses the z80 processor, by Zilog.

the z80 is a clone of the intel 8080. zilog was founded by various ex intels too, if I am correct

It's based on the 8080, but it has 6 more registers and a whole lot more instructions.

Um...z80 = Intel 8086; z80 chips are improved versions of Intel 8080's, but have became known as Intel 8086's. A ZiLOG is a copy of it.

I think ZiLOG is a branch or a part of Intel...

You referred to thinking about Photoshop being free. How about Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Enterprise (or whatever the highest level is) being free? That's what, $2000?

Wait... I'm contradicting myself... I voted Yes... *scratches head* Oh well...

Microsoft Visual Basic.net: £40 (Academic price).
I've got a copy on my PC... it's pretty damn l33t...

Gawk.

No, well sort of. We the programmers get free experience and feedback, and the users get free programs. I can't imagine charging money for a calc program, even if I made one that good. Nor can I imagine paying for one.

I think of it as an introduction to progammming more than a career. In my opinion, the only TI development that's going to make you money is writing the OS for TI.

It is possible to develop and be commercially successful assuming you do not want or need huge profit margins.

As for piracy, it should be relatively simple to develope something like TI's certificates and since it is such a small community compared to anything else, tracking down pirates would be far less difficult.

At any rate, should someone wish to reply with a lengthy, elaborate, or well thought of response, I will go more in depth. Otherwise... Whatever.

END TRANSMISSION

I learned a new word today: viable!

I was chatting with jrock, and he did too!