"That is why we offer the individual products and the Turbo(s). You can choose to purchase the different editions, the studio, and the individual products."

So if I wanted to use the dotnet compact framewok 2 and write for Windows mobile 5 there is a small IDE and Complier that allows me to do that?

If I wanted to wanted to write native win64 applications there is an IDE that is again, small and allows me to do that.

Or if I wanted a "Turbo Kylix" Targetting linux.

If that were available that would be brilliant.

What I am saying is that while I think the turbo editions are clearly a step in the right direction for those who prefer to take a more modular approach. The turbo editions are somewhat limited in what platforms they target. I think the turbo editions are certainly an excellent idea giving flexibility to end users who do not want to work with monoltithic IDEs. If you have different versions targetting a range of platforms. Allowing the end user to focus on thier platform of choice without the clutter. I think you may find sales will be considerably boosted. If they do not sell much now, it may be because the limited number of targetted platforms these otherwise excellent tools cover. It re opens the community and small business market share the original Turbo series and later C Builder, Delphi etc used to enjoy.

"Please let us know which retailers, shop sites, or stores you are having problems with and I can have our UK office check on what is happening. We cannot change some of the reseller business practices, but we can get better resellers in countries. If resellers in a country are not carrying our full product line, you can use our shop sites in those countries."

I have seen the monolithic BDS available via PC World’s Business vendor. And probably Amazon as well, but as of yet not the turbo editions. I just want to use a general vendor to obtain the turbo editions. But the vendors I would use don’t seem to have these in stock. If they were in stock I would buy them.

All the best wishes

Sophia Siedlberg.

While I personally think that Software Activation is actually counterproductive (does NOT deter pirates, just punishes legitmate users), I respect your right to protect your IP as you see fit. However, the inability of CodeGear to publish a contingency plan as to how users will be able to reactivate lawfully purchased software in the event of product EOL or business failure is inexcusable.

My current software product has been in development for over 10 years. The next product is expected to live even longer. I must demonstrate a plan that GUARANTEES the availability of any required tools. Software Activation rules this out, unless I find a workaround or CG provide a clear statement about escrow, free activation tool or similar.

This is not a theoretical point: I was questioned closely about this during a due diligence exercise.

Sadly the current attitude of CodeGear compares very badly to the original ethos behind the sadly-missed No-Nonsense license.

Best regards
Ian

The armed marshalls described in Ernie Ball’s CEO (link in my previous post) may be par for the course in today’s U.S.A., but these people are supposed to be customers, not threats. How could it possibly be in any company’s best interest to publicize a BSA audit, especially if they were assessed penalties? Do you hear about the negative cases and the bad feelings they engender? Do you know when a customer decides to switch from your product because they feel (rightly or wrongly) abused?

The BSA seems to carry a big stick, and the "Nail Your Boss" scheme may produce results, but in the long term I think it’s a terrible idea.

If an audit were done on Borland/Codegear’s computers, can you be 100% certain that every one has the proper documentation? I doubt many companies can, even if they have purchased all their software legitimately. I have no idea where the paperwork for my 3-year-old laptop is, so even though WinXP and MS Office are legit (they came installed by Acer), I don’t think I can prove it to the satisfaction of the BSA.

> at do you think about supporting discounts trough software associations or technology commerce chambers (like AMITI, CANIETI, AMSIS etc. in Mexico) for companies and startups members?

I will take this up at our executive staff meeting. We have the free Turbo products for developers to learn and use. They come with personal and commercial use license.

Let me see what we might be able to do to help MicroISVs and others - and using some of the associations to help work with our partners and resellers may be a good way to accomplish helping small developers.

I hope I can get to other cities in Mexico and around the world. I go where the sales and marketing teams tell me to travel, but I also request to be able to go to new cities when possible so you can travel less, and I can meet with more developers.

Thanks

> "The CEOs of companies that are members of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) believe that 75 percent (or more) of the software innovations and benefits are still to come."

> David, I have the greatest respect for you and always read your texts, but the above quote from the BSA seems just fluff. Unless backed by some sort of evidence, then it shouldn’t be given voice - it’s politician speak.

I just pulled part of a quote from a BSA report for the blog and gave readers several links to the BSA web site and specific articles. BSA provides several more indepth reports to back up their research, surveys, and activities. You can read to get the full survey and feedback from CEOs. You will find a number of articles and results on the BSA site.

> The mere mention of the BSA brings to mind horror stories of (metaphorically) jackbooted thugs intimidating companies (often small)

I will forward your post to our legal counsel and piracy counsel. In the past they have told me that BSA does audits in a very business-like manner. We want our customers to have legal copies and to gain the benefits of additional next generation editions.

We also provide the free Turbo Editions so that students and hobbyists can learn programming and do development.

> agree with Salvador Gomez Retamoza, The bottom line is your products are too big

That is why we offer the individual products and the Turbo(s). You can choose to purchase the different editions, the studio, and the individual products.

> It used to be the case you could get Delphi or CBuilder or any Borland product from the local retailer, at a resonable price, and be up and running really quickly. Not now. I tried to get "Turbo Delphi" (As in the paid for version) Not possible in the UK unless you or someone else knows different.

Please let us know which retailers, shop sites, or stores you are having problems with and I can have our UK office check on what is happening. We cannot change some of the reseller business practices, but we can get better resellers in countries. If resellers in a country are not carrying our full product line, you can use our shop sites in those countries.

Where to buy lists are at http://www.codegear.com/shop

I agree with Salvador Gomez Retamoza, The bottom line is your products are too big, over-priced and even in places like Europe (Where I am) Delphi developers are in a minority. the marketing strategy that has been adopted in the last few years has messed up. The all in one "BDS" is not what everyone wants, especially with inhibitive costs and people being left with included tools they do use.

It used to be the case you could get Delphi or CBuilder or any Borland product from the local retailer, at a resonable price, and be up and running really quickly. Not now. I tried to get "Turbo Delphi" (As in the paid for version) Not possible in the UK unless you or someone else knows different.

Also consider the amount of people still using Delphi 5 to 7, does that not tell you something?

On the issue of Piracy well the answer to that is simple, price your products beyond the reach of many people and it will get pirated. (That is why Microsoft are being so nice at the moment).

I am not prepared to pay over £500 stirling for BDS (I am not prepared to use a pirate copy partly because it is illegal but also because it is no use to me, I am not even tempted, that is bad when you think about it)

The harsh reality is, you keep selling all in one IDE’s for corporate end users at huge prices, you will lose your traditional customers. And eventually lose out.

Give me, a long time user of your products an incentive to upgrade, or even stick with your products. I do not want all in one at a an insane cost. I can get VB express for nothing from Microsoft. Why should I continue using Delphi? that is the harsh fact. If you do not come up with reasons for end users to buy, then they vote with thier feet.

there, that is that out of my system

All the best wishes

Sophie