We share our knowledge and spend our lives working toward the spread of ideas and information, but we still want to own the information that we create. After all, we too must earn our livelihood. We don't want to give it away only to let someone else make a quick buck on what we create. The computer shareware distribution model might be one means of distributing knowledge in a way in which the creator gets some monetary return, but this method has its own obvious flaws. The shareware model allows the user to obtain the complete product, test it out and then decide whether or not to pay for it.
Many consumers do pay, but one can procure a new program, use it and never pay for it.
Knowledge products could be distributed in this way as well, but payment would be equally unpredictable. In many countries and in the rural areas of developed nations, students cannot rely on local libraries to provide what they need when they are enrolled in courses being offered from a distance. After all, libraries, too, are involved in a money economy. We cannot expect them to fill all the gaps in information which we cannot provide directly from a distance. Although there are many obstacles to providing research support for distant learners, I am still hopeful.