Don't be fooled into thinking Local, State, or federal government are paying full price either, they get a severely discounted rate as well, granted it is not the 90% off mentioned earlier in the conversation but it is much more affordable than the prices a regular small business pays.
Jame Mackson
-----Original Message----- From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com] On Behalf Of Andy Morris Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 4:02 PM To: Barbara Seekins: Anthony Quartararo Cc: gislist@lists.thinkburst.com: gislist-bounces@lists.thinkburst.com Subject: RE: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World
Hey! What about all of us poor private companies paying full license fees (don't forget the yearly maintenance) while trying to make a buck so that the government agencies can collect taxes to buy their licenses.
:0 - Couldn't resist Cheers, Andy Morris GIS Services Manager Merrick & Company andy.morris@merrick.com
-----Original Message----- From: gislist-bounces@lists.thinkburst.com [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.thinkburst.com] On Behalf Of Barbara Seekins Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 2:48 PM To: Anthony Quartararo Cc: gislist@lists.thinkburst.com: gislist-bounces@lists.thinkburst.com Subject: Re: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World
Must say I have mixed feelings about all this. While the altruism to causes such
as conservation, fighting poverty, etc. is admirable, those organizations paying full fees for software and maintenance (state and federal gov agencies) are doing so with US taxpayers money that is supposed to be going towards serving our communities and national needs. These needs also include conservation, planning, supporting our infrastructure, maintaining water & air quality, and on and on.
Barb Seekins
Anthony Quartararo wrote:
> Analisa, > > You very correct, and further make Pat Waggaman's case. ESRI has a > policy of supporting a global conservation effort its resources, and > long-ago recognized that in order to do so, sooner rather than later, > it must "give" the software and related training & support to just > about anyone willing enough to undertake the difficult task of > Conservation. That being said, and however honorable that may be, > ESRI must get revenues from somewhere to meet its internal financial > goals AND still have sufficient surplus (as a strategic decision) to > "support" that global conservation effort at a "near free" discount. > If it were a political policy, dare I suggest what that sounds like ? > Another strategic approach could be, lowering the price for all > products so that the cost of a license is based on a truly global > market [ie. ALL potential and current users of GIS technology > software], and then offer no significant discount. In this scenario, > coupled with ESRIs significant brand strength and existing global > network of people/partners, everyone would benefit more completely. > The uptake of the technology would be, shall I say, "energetic" for > the foreseeable future. Not to mention a more level and globalized > competitive playing field, and it would force ESRI to cherish and > attend to each and every licensee. This unfortunately is not likely > to happen in our professional careers, then again, truth is stranger > than fiction. Cheers. > > Anthony > > -----Original Message----- > From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com > [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com] On Behalf Of Analisa > Gunnell > Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 12:46 PM > To: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com > Cc: gislist@lists.geocomm.com > Subject: FW: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World > > Hello GIS community, > > I find this topic to be fascinating. As a US ESRI user that works for > a non-profit focused on conservation issues and meeting the triple E > bottom line, we would not be able to do all the GIS work that we do > without products that were given to us by ESRI. This was done because
> of our status as a non-profit and our focus on conservation efforts. > It was my understanding that this held true for international > organizations with similar goals. It is important to understand that > while ESRI obviously has a serious hold on the GIS market, at the very
> least they are conscientious enough to allow organizations that could > not otherwise afford their software opportunities to use it. While I > have my complaints (as do we all) I respect this in the organization.
> How many corporate entities can say the same? > > Anyway, that's my 2 cents before my morning coffee. > > Hope all are well! > > Analisa Noel Gunnell > Chief Cartographer/GIS Analys
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