>>How can Argus "sell" their product to pathology and radiology >>if their latest open source version without registration >>codes is freely available ? ... They can't. >> >> > >An approach to open source software is to win customers to buy your service >(easy install, support etc.) because of its value for money not because >you've stuck registration codes into the source. >
Selling IT support services for open source software might be viable when potential corporate purchasers of this service can be counted in the billions. The marketplace for Ozzie corporate pathology and radiology companies might be a couple of dozen. And trying to sell Argus support services if the program was freely available, open source and without registration numbers to these couple of dozen potential customers would be difficult to say the least. Let's get real ... The Argus strategy is to get Argus onto the desktops of GPs and specialists by making the program, installation and support free to GPs and specialists. Once achieved, Argus will be in a strong position to negotiate with pathology and radiology corporates who are presently paying an arm and a leg for proprietory encrypted email solutions offered by eClinic, Promedicus, etc. This is not "bullying" the pathology and radiology corporates. No, it is offering a competetive alternative in the marketplace. This is a good thing. And to make this possible, Argus needs to have a little bit of registration code. This doesn't deter me in the least. We need to get encrypted email going. Argus is here, it's free, and it works. John Mac _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
