From: rdm@cfcl.com (Rich Morin)
Subject: Re: Suggestions for the free Unix projects
Organization: GNUs Not Usenet
Distribution: gnu
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 08:29:13 GMT

Note:  I'm not a member of this list, but a friend forwarded a message to me,
and I have a couple of (I hope) relevant comments.  Feel free to copy me on
postings or send email directly, but don't assume I will see list postings.
(BTW, I'm Rich Morin, the "guy who does the Prime Time Freeware CD".)

>In article <1akqadINN76c@almaak.usc.edu> ajayshah@almaak.usc.edu
> (Ajay Shah) writes:
>>There may be a role for a profit-making company to make a $50
>>shrink-wrapped free Unix with a manual and limited support.

Yes, as long as the company is small and willing to operate frugally,
especially at first.  The manual should probably be limited to installation
notes, however, with the rest of the documentation available on the CD-ROM
and (perhaps) in printed form by special order.  A booklet is critical, by
the way, if you intend to sell through bookstores.  Hand them a raw CD-ROM
and they'll inform you that they "don't sell software".  Believe it...

At a $50 price, knocking off 35% or 40% for retailer discounts and $10 for
cost of goods, there isn't much (any, really) room for free support.  Thus,
the support must be volunteered, very limited, and/or separately charged.
(900 numbers, anyone?) 

  If you distribute it on CD, you can follow the example of the guy who
  does the Prime Time Freeware CD.  He binds a plastic pocket (holding
  2 CDs without jewel cases) into a small (50 pages?) comb-bound book
  that Kinkos could probably reproduce for $5-$10 in small quantity.  The
  whole thing sells for $60 ($50 from Quantum Books) and could probably
  ship in a padded envelope at book rate if you're willing to wait.

The vinyl jackets (UniVenture JewelPaks) are quite sturdy, very light,
and don't damage the discs through abrasion (as Tyvek would).  They do
not provide any support against torsional forces, which is a drawback,
given the habits of shipping folks.  On the other hand, they (and the
discs themselves) are almost impervious to compression, which the normal
"Jewel Boxes" are NOT.  (JewelPaks and boxes both cost about $0.25 each.)

A PTF issue can ship domestically for $1.05 at book rate, but we use UPS
to get faster service and less damage in transit.  We use "Air Mail Book
Rate" for small (1-19 unit) overseas orders, UPS Air service for big ones. 

The booklets are printed and bound by the San Bruno CopyMat, for about
$3 each.  (We then add a bit of hand work inspecting, sealing, serializing,
and so forth)  The pre-mastering, mastering, discs, and jackets add up to
about $3.50 per disc in quantity 1000.  Thus, the cost of goods is about
$10.  If the issue goes into multiple print runs, things get cheaper;
maybe $7.  Some money goes to pay fulfillment costs, but S/H fees take
care of most of that. 


The real cost of the venture isn't shown above, however.  Nor does it lie
in the not inconsequential cost of the equipment.  I have a fair pile of
hardware for a home system:  5+ GB of disk space, a couple or three UNIX
systems, an Internet link, modems, Exabyte drive, laser printer, ...  All
nifty stuff, but it will all be used in assembling the next issue.  And
nobody gave it to me.

More to the point, nobody (except my customers, bless 'em) is paying me to
answer questions, make business decisions, market PTF, handle emergencies,
and (try to) find time to locate software and edit it into a new release.
There is a distinct and substantial opportunity cost to the entire effort.
Instead of buying hardware, my money could stay in the bank.  My time could
go (at normal consulting rates) toward putting more money in with it.

I'm not complaining, mind you.  I chose this project, and I'm enjoying the
h*** out of it.  And, to date, it looks like a financial success.  I just
want anyone else who jumps in to have a notion of what s/he is getting into.

-Rich

P.S.  If anyone is still seriously interested in doing CD-ROMs, feel free
to get in touch.  I probably have some more free advice to dredge up, and
co-operative ventures are always worth considering.
--
Rich Morin, Canta Forda Computer Laboratory | Prime Time Freeware - quality
  UNIX consulting, training, and writing    | freeware at affordable prices
  P.O. Box 1488, Pacifica, CA, 94044, USA   |          ptf@cfcl.com
rdm@cfcl.com    +1 415-873-7841 (Voice/Fax) | +1 408-738-4832 (V), -2050 (F)