How much will your software be worth in 15 years?

[original flipper]

HI

Found this advert in SOS amusing - somehow I don't think this situation will be too far from the truth for most of the software we use today - does anyone think that (for instance) Rene will be on Zeta v19.3 in 15 years !


"Iconix Software [Atari ST] See my page link: http://www.musicgearauctioneer.com/engine/. Cost £249.00 when new in 1989.
£5.00. Email (Skelmersdale, Lancs) 29/09/04"

Flipper.

[TVD]

HI

Found this advert in SOS amusing - somehow I don't think this situation will be too far from the truth for most of the software we use today - does anyone think that (for instance) Rene will be on Zeta v19.3 in 15 years?


"Iconix Software [Atari ST] See my page link: http://www.musicgearauctioneer.com/engine/. Cost £249.00 when new in 1989.
£5.00. Email (Skelmersdale, Lancs) 29/09/04"

Flipper.

By that time, LapTop Computers would be about the same price as microwave ovens. I hope.

[Ford Prefect]

Thinking so far ahead?...expecting a tomorrow when and if you wake up? I don't think we can imagine what we'll have 5 years down the road, let alone 10 or more...
Let's hope something takes off in the Linux sector soon since Windoze is only helping the 4th Reich...
All I can hope for is tools that work...I just don't have the funds to be an addict forever...
I think the old stuff, that is, what we're all playing with now will be usable under some form of emulation or other...I suppose how well everything interacts with the Sony mind link will affect a lot...I won't plug anything into my brain that runs Windoze; that's for damn sure...

[MikeLeuz]

Let's hope something takes off in the Linux sector soon since Windoze is only helping the 4th Reich...

I'm a Microsoft-employee... so of course my view is biased... but comments like this are getting very tired.

A) Who's the 4t Reich? Bill Gates? Bill has contributed a much higher percentage of his money to charity than his fellow billionaires. And almost more importantly, he does it in a very intelligent way making sure the money actually goes towards good use.

B) Linux is becoming just as commercial, if not more so, than Microsoft/Windows. Red Hat, IBM, and others are doing everything they can to squeeze money out of Linux. Red Hat charges a small fortune for Red Hat Linux Enterprise Server, and IBM and others only use Linux to sell you expensive middleware and services. If Linux becomes more popular on the desktop, expect to see a lot more commercialization there as well.

Again, yes, I'm biased... but even as a former Mac-fanatic, I'm just sick of hearing Microsoft/Windows being bashed for reasons that really legit. I could go on and on if you'd like, but we're already way off-topic.

[The Chase]

Woah, i just thought about that. Unlike analogue gear, you cant sell software for shit years after youre done using it...

[deggy]

Hey MikeLeuz, I agree. Even though I'm switching to Mac, I feel Microsoft gets a bad rap and people often make similar ridiculous comments that are often unwarranted.

[psynus]

Let's hope something takes off in the Linux sector soon since Windoze is only helping the 4th Reich...

I'm a Microsoft-employee... so of course my view is biased... but comments like this are getting very tired.

A) Who's the 4t Reich? Bill Gates? Bill has contributed a much higher percentage of his money to charity than his fellow billionaires. And almost more importantly, he does it in a very intelligent way making sure the money actually goes towards good use.

B) Linux is becoming just as commercial, if not more so, than Microsoft/Windows. Red Hat, IBM, and others are doing everything they can to squeeze money out of Linux. Red Hat charges a small fortune for Red Hat Linux Enterprise Server, and IBM and others only use Linux to sell you expensive middleware and services. If Linux becomes more popular on the desktop, expect to see a lot more commercialization there as well.

Again, yes, I'm biased... but even as a former Mac-fanatic, I'm just sick of hearing Microsoft/Windows being bashed for reasons that really legit. I could go on and on if you'd like, but we're already way off-topic.

This is not what this thread is about...

[MikeLeuz]

This is not what this thread is about...

You're right... I did mention that I was getting off-topic... and threw in the smiley, but you're right... I apologize (but it's nice to relieve stress every once in awhile)

As far as the topic, when I first saw the topic title, I thought the thread was going to compare the depreciation of software versus hardware (such as synths). For example, software that was around 15 years ago is now pretty much worthless while many hardware synths have held their value well and some have even gained in value.

Yeah, the future of music technology and software will be very interesting. As far as software, I've seen some amazing OS and utility demos (stuff that won't be out for several years... after Longhorn), and I can't wait to see how music software vendors take advantage of the technology.

While I've been into computers and music for years... it's always been seperate. Garage bands on the music side, and IT operations on the computer side. I just now started to put the 2 together... put a DAW together for the first time etc... and while I'm starting to get up to speed... lord knows a lot of this stuff could be more intuitive and more efficient. From my newbie view, things like Sonar, NI stuff, z3ta+, Spectrasonics stuff etc gives me more power/control than I'll probably ever need... so it's the increased intuity/efficiency/workflow that I look forward to in the future.

[whyterabbyt]

I dont give a toss what its worth in 15 years. Its utility value right now is the important thing.

How much is a 15-year old car worth? Well a 1990 Ford Fiesta currently seems worth £100.

So is it just software? Nope. Just about the only thing thats reliably worth more as time goes on is property.

[The Chase]

I dont give a toss what its worth in 15 years. Its utility value right now is the important thing.

How much is a 15-year old car worth? Well a 1990 Ford Fiesta currently seems worth £100.

So is it just software? Nope. Just about the only thing thats reliably worth more as time goes on is property.

yea, property plus stamps, some cars, wine, certain magazines and a lot of analogue gear - the list goes on. 15 years ago, a Roland TR-808 sold for $100 - $200. Today, they tend to go just under $1000.

[Sicklecell666]

To hell with the software..how much will YOU be worth in 15 years

[Metanol]

Lets hope some weird people start to collect software with original boxes, cd.s and manuals.
You know, some people pay money for all kind of old junk, like stamps, old paintings, coins, comic books, etc. etc.

edit. Pity I buy most of my software from internet without any boxes.

[whyterabbyt]

Chase quoth

yea, property plus stamps, some cars, wine, certain magazines

Not all stamps, not all cars, not all wine, not all magazines. The difference is that some items become 'classic' or 'collectors items' and they rise in value. Those are exceptions to the general trend within that clss of items. However the type of item as a whole isnt generally rising, eg a 15-year old copy of Cosmopolitan, or a 15-year old bottle of Blue Nun.

However property, uniformly, has risen.

and a lot of analogue gear

No, not a lot. Some, but not as much as you'd expect.

the list goes on. 15 years ago, a Roland TR-808 sold for $100 - $200. Today, they tend to go just under $1000.

Basically a collector's item, and unrepresentative of the situation. Oh, and BTW, they were about $1000 when they came out in the first place. Then they nosedived in value (just like the TB303) until they became popular again, and hence valuable for a factor other than actual money.

Taken inflation into account, BTW? That $1000 in 1980 probably works out about $3000 now. So yeah, its still dropped in price if you can get them for $1000.

How much does a 626 go for? Or a Casio RZ1? What about a Poly800. There's a CS5 on ebay for £80, aint that a bit of a drop? SH101's are worth bugger all again.

[Metanol]

To hell with the software..how much will YOU be worth in 15 years

I am everything to myself. Now and after 15 years.

[soulkraka]

zero dollars and zero cents.