I've got a major question...

[Jerry]

On Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:16:22 -0400, Robert Huff stated:
>Olivier writes:
>
>>  The very few times I need to launch Word, it is a version of 2003,
>>  bought in 2003, never paid anything since.  
>
>	I have heard it said 95+% of the people composing a text
>	document
>only use abilities present in Word for Windows 2.0.

MS did a survey regarding office a few years ago. Over 90% of the
users where not aware that Office has a built in calculator. Most users
have no idea what the true functionality of Office really is. Then
again, most non-power users will never need that functionality.

>>  What puzzle me even more is people accepting to buy their cars
>> through leasing: you pay every month, for 3 years, and at the end of
>> the 3 years period, you have... nothing. While it may make sense for
>> a business (fix cost every month, if the business stop its business,
>> it has no car left, but a dead business needs no car), it makes no
>> sense for individuals.  
>
>	Aesthetically, some people like driving a late-model car and
>	are
>willing to pay for the satisfaction.
>	Operationally ... it is my understanding that - especially as
>	one
>goes further up-scale - the lease includes a care package.  The more
>miles put on the car, the greater the value of free dealer-provided
>routine maintenance.  There may be other reasons, which are left as an
>exercise for the reader.

I lease all my vehicles, and have for several years. The cost is
cheaper for starters. There are tax incentives if used for business.
Plus, I like getting a new vehicle every three years. I lease for three
years, but there are other plans available. Plus, the dealer picks up
most maintenance charges.

>>  And it makes even less sens for something like software that will
>>  not stop working or loose its functionalities with time.  
>
>	That depends on the software.
>	If your program is _entirely_ stand-alone, then you're correct.
>	But if it depends on programs not under your control ... and
>they're getting upgraded ... then it can "lose" functionality.
>	Example: Novell, or better yet Banyan, networking.

I agree, this is something that has to be determined at retail.

>	For some, leasing is a bad deal and they should buy/find a free
>alternative.
>	But if leasing were that bad, it wouldn't be a growing market.
>(Plenty of stupid out there; plenty of not-stupid too.)

I agree. The end user should always explore all options and carefully
weight them against their actual needs, both now and hopefully at least
3 or 4 years down the line. More if this is a business venture.
Unfortunately, most people never look past today.

-- 
Jerry