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Jeff Parsons 2017-07-10 12:51:23 -07:00 • committed by Jeff Parsons
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_posts/2017-07-09-magware.md
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@ -22,6 +22,20 @@ I'm calling these disks *Magware* because I can't be sure exactly how to classif
was probably considered free: source code was generally included without any restrictions. But it's possible that was probably considered free: source code was generally included without any restrictions. But it's possible that
the magazines also redistributed some third-party software that fell into more of a *Shareware* category. the magazines also redistributed some third-party software that fell into more of a *Shareware* category.
> #### July 10, 2017 Update
> Out of curiosity, I looked through [PC Magazine Vol. 6 No. 8 (April 28, 1987)](https://archive.org/details/PC-Mag-1987-04-28)
> for references to the "PLAY" files contained in one of the older archived [PC Magazine Disks](/disks/pcx86/shareware/pcmag/).
> They accompanied the article "A DOS MUSIC GENERATOR", which included this disclaimer:
> > "The programs that appear in our Programming/Utilities column (as well as other programs we publish) can be
> > downloaded by modem from the PC Magazine Interactive Reader Service. There is no charge for this service, but
> > users are cautioned that these programs are copyright material and are made available only for individual,
> > noncommercial use. You may make copies for others (including placement on noncommercial electronic bulletin boards),
> > as long as no charge is involved. However, making copies for any commercial purpose is strictly prohibited."
> So it's clear we're not dealing *only* with "free" software, at least as it was considered at the time.
About these collections: I'm thrilled that they exist. Not everyone needs to be (or should be) a collector, but the About these collections: I'm thrilled that they exist. Not everyone needs to be (or should be) a collector, but the
world needs at least a few dedicated individuals working in every domain (hardware, software, books, magazines, world needs at least a few dedicated individuals working in every domain (hardware, software, books, magazines,
photographs, recordings, etc) along with museums and libraries to support their efforts. So kudos to the folks photographs, recordings, etc) along with museums and libraries to support their efforts. So kudos to the folks
@ -57,23 +71,23 @@ Programmer's Corner by choice, but only out of necessity.
On a more philosophical note, I think it's important for a service to be clear about what we're paying for; ie, that On a more philosophical note, I think it's important for a service to be clear about what we're paying for; ie, that
we're paying for an archival service and that the money being generated for that service (whether by ads or donations) we're paying for an archival service and that the money being generated for that service (whether by ads or donations)
is purely in support of that service, and that the archived items themselves are not being held hostage ("ransomed") or is purely in support of that service, and that the archived items themselves are not being held hostage ("ransomed")
used in any way that the original authors might have disapproved of. in order to supplement that income.
It shouldn't be hard to create a compelling website with useful features that people will *want* to revisit repeatedly. It shouldn't be hard to create a compelling website with useful features and community benefits, apart from the content,
Even a site that's just a bunch of "downloads" should be able to avoid resorting to gimmicks if they at least have a that people will *want* to support and revisit. And when people *do* support it, they shouldn't continue to be hounded
mission, are actively working to promote that mission, and build a community of like-minded people who believe in that or stymied in their efforts to access the content.
mission.
The [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/) model, where you try to get a handful of people to support your project with The [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/) model, where you try to get a handful of people to support your project with
small monthly contributions, seems like one possible solution. Of course, that usually requires working on the project small monthly contributions, seems like one possible solution. Of course, that usually requires working on the project
on a regular basis, and if a website like [The Programmer's Corner](https://www.pcorner.com) is more or less on auto-pilot, on a regular basis, and if a website like [The Programmer's Corner](https://www.pcorner.com) is more or less on auto-pilot,
that probably won't work. that probably won't work.
I've thought about this problem in the context of PCjs, and what, if anything, I could or should do to help pay for its I've thought about this problem in the context of PCjs, and what, if anything, I should do to help pay for its
monthly operating costs (which are currently around $30/month for hosting and bandwidth). Ads are a horrible idea, monthly operating costs (which are currently around $30/month for hosting and bandwidth). I dislike the idea of using
because they're both unsightly and unseemly. I've come to conclusion that you have to make money doing something else, ads, because they're both unsightly and unseemly, and it's unlikely they would cover even those small operating costs.
and that projects like this just have to be supported by people's own personal obsessions, passions, and other intangibles. I've come to conclusion that you have to make money doing something else, and that projects like this just have to
survive on good will -- and lots of "free time".
*[@jeffpar](http://twitter.com/jeffpar)* *[@jeffpar](http://twitter.com/jeffpar)*
*Jul 9, 2017* *Jul 9, 2017*

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disks/pcx86/shareware/pcmag/README.md
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@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ will surface over time. [Let us know](mailto:Jeff@pcjs.org) if you find more.
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> PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 08) is available at the Internet Archive as "[PC Mag 1987-04-28](https://archive.org/details/PC-Mag-1987-04-28)".
### Directory of [PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 09)](/devices/pcx86/machine/5160/ega/640kb/?autoMount=%7B"B":%7B"name":"PC Magazine %28Vol. 06 No. 09%29"%7D%7D) ### Directory of [PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 09)](/devices/pcx86/machine/5160/ega/640kb/?autoMount=%7B"B":%7B"name":"PC Magazine %28Vol. 06 No. 09%29"%7D%7D)
Volume in drive A is VOL06N09 Volume in drive A is VOL06N09
@ -46,6 +48,8 @@ will surface over time. [Let us know](mailto:Jeff@pcjs.org) if you find more.
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> PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 09) is available at the Internet Archive as "[PC Mag 1987-05-12](https://archive.org/details/PC-Mag-1987-05-12)".
### Directory of [PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 10)](/devices/pcx86/machine/5160/ega/640kb/?autoMount=%7B"B":%7B"name":"PC Magazine %28Vol. 06 No. 10%29"%7D%7D) ### Directory of [PC Magazine (Vol. 06 No. 10)](/devices/pcx86/machine/5160/ega/640kb/?autoMount=%7B"B":%7B"name":"PC Magazine %28Vol. 06 No. 10%29"%7D%7D)
Volume in drive A is VOL06N10 Volume in drive A is VOL06N10