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From: nulldogma@aol.com (Nulldogma)
Subject: Re: Solution policies and an idea
Date: 01 Apr 1996 09:07:22 +0000
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>Why not just ask Neil.  And Neil, if you're reading this, I don't
>think it'll have any impact on your registrations.

Russ did ask me, and I said it was fine -- posted it in this very thread,
in fact. 

It's kind of ironic, in fact, that all this discussion is coming around
Lost New York, since I specifically tried to release it *not* as shareware
-- I always describe the version at GMD as freeware, and the version you
have to pay for as the registered version. If people play the free version
of Lost New York and enjoy it (with or without a walkthrough) they should
still feel under *no* obligation to send me money. (Though I'll gladly
accept it.)

The registration fee, to my mind, shouldn't be paid out of guilt or
obligation, but for the added value you get of the hints and manual and
Special Gift Surprise. (Hell, the last two alone are easily worth ...
well, maybe not $12, but something.) 

I remember reading an interview with Dave Lebling on GMD where he talked
about how the Infocom packaging served as copy-protection -- not just in
the traditional sense of needing the Infotater or whatever, but because
people wouldn't *want* to play the game without all the cool supplementary
materials. I think any of us hoping to get reimbursed for our i-f writing
efforts should think about that as the way to go, rather than relying
solely on shareware or crippleware.

Neil

P.S. I'm going to follow up my post about advertising off the Net in
r.a.i-f, where it's more appropriate.
