Software Physical distribution MUST die!
I'm in need for billing software. So i started to search the market for a cheap one (our needs are quite simple. Issue invoices and receipts. Period (some things come attached due to Portuguese legislation, we need those too). Invoicing , accounting,etc software is probably the most written software in existance. I've accounted more than 30 (that i could find) products (locally produced) mind you we are a 10 million people country in the tail of Europe). I download the ones that had demos, and saw the brochures for the other ones. After a lot of discussion we picked the less bad (haven't found a decent one, just the one that sucked the least), but i digress.
When i went to the store to buy a copy. It was sold out. The same on all the other stores i went (some didn't even sell it).
Why does software physical distribution still exists? (Ok. A little over the top. if it coexisted with an electronic distribution channel that would be fine by me). I just want to emit invoices god damnit. I don't care for the damn box, nor the damn paper manual. Email me a key, and send the invoice by mail so i can deliver to our accountant.
Where are the allways on preachers when we need them? My DSL line is a sunk cost, at least le me use it a little.
I guess this was my first rant, i promise the next post will be about .Net