What's Wrong with Free?
It seems like in the current economy that more and more people are trying to get on the do-it-yourself, cheap-as-possible, "can we do it for free" bandwagons. This bit explains it better than I ever could: http://radar.oreilly.com/2008/10/effect-of-the-depression-on-te.html
Depressions/recessions are GOOD for innovation and acceptance of the "low cost solution."
Do you know anyone considering jumping on to Google Apps or perhaps already using cheaper/free alternatives like Open Office?
The most common reaction to those notions are "well, you are going to get what you pay for." However, as the freemium model is becoming more and more prevalent, we've created a consumer mind set that is going to EXPECT something for nothing. Sure, you can do business the "old way," but freemium isn't that old. The backlash against offering stuff for free as way of operating exists, but for the bootstrapping soul who just wants to make a few extra bucks, find a new career, or just try something to see if it could done on the cheap- why not use the free/cheap implements?
I'm not trying to make money online, but my list of free software, apps and tools for using the internet grows every day.
The case can easily be made for paid options once you are making the money, but until you have capitol to make your model work and so long as loans and other options don't exist, why not economize by using free?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010