Originally Posted by Charles Patrick
Hi Kovid. I understand where you're coming from and I appreciate your viewpoint. I also admire your skill and generosity.
Free bottled water versus tap water. Free Open office and Free Google Docs versus Microsoft Office ($). Free Television news versus the Newspaper ($). Linux (Free) versus Microsoft OS. Volkswagen Touareg $40k versus the Porsche Cayenne ($60k, for essentially the same vehicle). $4 Starbucks coffee versus 11-cent premium coffee made at home. The *topics* of many paper books is available for free online - does this mean that paper books will no longer sell? There are many examples.
If it's easier, faster, cheaper, more convenient, then some subset of customers will pay for it (and some won't), even if it's free, elsewhere.
For what it's worth, many of the products from which I've earned a living in the past 20 years were available for free - but people bought anyway because we provided value or a feature that they perceived to be worth the price compared to "free." I've learned that many people (not all people) will pay for a product that adds value or provides convenience.
I'm also okay with having a philosophy that's different than yours, and I'm completely honest and true when I say I really do respect you.
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