[softwarelist] Re: O-Pro's future

On 28 Jun, Brian Bailey <bbailey@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> In article <c$qNGgI8uNYIFwLb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, David Pilling
> <flist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> > Robert Greenfield wrote:
> > >Why not make DDL standard OvPro format and leave the binary one for
> > >loading legacy documents?

> > Because for most users this would make no difference.

> Here I profoundly disagree. I think that /might/ apply to current users,
> in the main, but the very constraint offered by legacy file formats is I
> feel the very reason preventing the expansion of the use of RISC OS
> software on this and other platforms. 

Pretty much what I was thinking.

I can see a marketing tool in a non-binary (or comprehensible) file
format. It surely makes our documents more future proof, certainly raises
the possibility of being able to use the documents on other platforms, or
in other software (it must be easier to create import filters with a file
structure like DDL).

> It occurs to me to speculate whether a form of open sourcing of OvatPro,
> similar to Iyonix open sourcing of RISC OS 5, retaining some commercial
> control of the code, but allowing others to continue further development,
> might work. Just thinking out loud.

I've been mulling over potential ways forward, but I haven't blurted any
out yet, so good on you for thinking out loud :-)

Ideas.

I admire the approach of the Netsurf project, where many different builds
for different platforms appear to be possible without (much) difficulty.
Is this possible with OvPro? Is there a 'central' core of code that both
RO and Windows versions use?
If not how feasible is it to get the code to this stage, either by
yourself or with assistance?
Cross-platform document processing with an open file format. Surely sounds
attractive.

Central website to order OvPro, download templates, repository for
Applets, ask questions on a forum etc.

How OvPro is sold and its price.
David - you appear to think that OvPro is lacking compared to other DTPs.
This is a bit of a catch-22 situation, perhaps. OvPro is 'lacking' and
needs development to catch the public's eye, get more users and become
'viable' in order to develop it further etc.

For sales to lift (especially on Windows) some lateral thinking may be
required, as the price of MS Office seems to be some sort of yardstick for
many people.

Would you take a risk with on-line sales using downloads only?
Using n-Track (ntrack.com) as a possible model (for no special reason),
could you:
Offer a download which you can order a 'key' for.
Upgrades are free for n-track 5.X and 6.X (I notice he doesn't offer
upgrades indefinitely).
Price is certainly competitive compared to Cubase or LogicPro etc.

Seeing as you feel that OvPro is lacking in some features, could you risk
lowering the price to stimulate more interest? I could certainly see this
for a 'limited time, to celebrate the re-launch of OvPro on the web.'

Why not try offering Educational Discounts - better to shift more units.
Maybe Education Versions have to pay more often for upgrades. Here in NZ
the Ministry of Education has a licence for MS Word, Excel etc. for every
school in NZ. Could you approach LEAs to do something similar?
Say to the LEAs that OvPro is able to read any valuable old Impression
documents that schools *might* still have. You might mention that OvPro is
available for RISC OS and Windows.

I had a brief look at usenet via Google last night (I don't subscribe to
the newsgroups and only read them very irregularly these days). There was
a thread there about OvPro and there does appear to be quite a few RO
users who are still plodding along with Impression (like I was up until
recently). Amazing really, but some people really need a prod to upgrade!
Aside: I am certainly very happy to have upgraded, even with the current
limited possiblities for upgrades.
Why not offer a special price to get Impression users to upgrade?

regards,

-- 
Robert Greenfield

via RISC OS
<monster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>  -  http://www.webmonster.co.nz/
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