msatercams future?

[Bullines]

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Very funny and very true. I think we've all learned from Shareware software and the Internet that if something is free, it either sucks, or the company that offers it evaporates in time.

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I have to disagree with this statement. The shareware and freeware models work iff (if and only if) these conditions are met:

1. share versions tempt users to purchase full version with quality and useful software

2. free versions help promote the company

Some shareware successes that I can think of are WinZip and of course a string of games from idSoftware (the undisputed shareware champion) like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. The freeware leader would have to be Microsoft Internet Explorer. Shareware, freeware and give-aways work only if there's quality to back it up. I think Surfcam's quality should be questioned and not the fact that they're releasing something free of charge.

Let's not forget that Mastercam has a very inexpensive demo version available. I think a lot of people out there, including my self, prefer to try out software on my own time rather than watch a demo of it.

[Barry]

I'd like to think I'm a veteran user of MasterCam, I've been using it since dos (v3.4 i think?). I've seen MC's response to our problems, Ive seen them step up to the plate against the pioneers of solids. I've been very happy along the way. Now that I have gone out on my own, I bought MasterCam...could have bought surfcam...tried it for free, didnt like it! I have found that when you dont have a good product, you have to give it away! Just my 2 cents!

Barry

[gstephens]

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CNC Software was founded by two brothers, Mark and Jack Summers.

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Their father (yes father!) John Summers is also a post processor wiz. He does the occasional post that he finds "interesting" like the DMG Evolution table 5-axis type stuff.