On Tue, 15 Jul 2003, Nick Cox wrote:
> Richard Herrell
>
> > I recall we discussed the problem before about the ease of
> > distributing
> > pdfs. I don't think it differs greatly from the free sharing of
> > photocopies of chapters from SAS manuals I saw as a student
> > and teacher
> > "Say, can I make a copy of the logistic chapter?" I now
> > have a CD with
> > the complete SAS manuals which is not expensive, takes up
> > virtually no
> > room on the shelf, and is wonderful to use since I can search it.
>
> "Free sharing": in what sense?
>
> Undoubtedly, to your main point.
>
> My guess, however, is that SAS were never going to get you to buy
> their complete manuals in printed form.
> The revenue foregone is zero, in that respect.
>
> Whereas how much are you paying for SAS? How much is your
> institution paying for SAS?
>
> As I understand it, the Stata and SAS financial models are
> very different.
>
> I know about Stata. I know next to nothing about SAS,
> so I speak in ignorance.
>
> As reminders, however, Stata give you
>
> * technical support on current and previous versions
> (if registered)
> * free upgrades between releases
> * indefinite rights once you have a licence (no
> annual fees)
>
> Stata charge you
>
> * for buying a copy (once only)
> * for upgrading a copy (as desired)
> * for the manuals (each release, potentially,
> although some skip a release or do not stay
> current)
>
> If SAS, or indeed any other statistical
> software, has a similar pattern, then we
> can compare like with like.
>
> Otherwise, the only fair comparisons must
> take into consideration the total picture
> of what is free (not charged for) and what
> is charged for.
I am only compared the 2 formats for the manuals, paper and CD. The
problem of using material without paying for it is the same in either
format, while there are clear advantages to the CD format with respect to
space, ease of use, and cost.
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