My new online business [Archive] - PowWeb Community Forums

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ZackW

2-13-05, 12:57 AM

Hello all. I just signed up on powweb but for a different site. But I saw this forum and wanted to know what you think of my new venture.

The site isn't 100% done but the layout is ready. It uses the excellent PHP Zen Cart template system.

http://www.dl2cd.com

What do you think? And hey, while there, put us in your favorites in case you ever need our services :)

I'll post the new site on powweb here too when it's closer to being done. Thanks

Dabrowski

2-13-05, 01:44 AM

Very interesting. However, I can't speak regarding the legality of it. Have you checked into that?

Edit: I said "legality," but maybe that's a harsh word. Just don't take it personally.

ZackW

2-13-05, 02:26 AM

I understand what you mean.

ALL files we place on CD for people are FREE files that anybody can get on the web themselves. We are not burning "for-pay" programs at all.

As for the charge, it is only for labor and materials. There is actually no charge for software at all. It is simply to get files onto CD for people. So it is perfectly legal in that sense.

It would be illegal, for example, if we charged a fee FOR the software. But that's not the case.

We hope to attrack users who simply cannot download large files. Or want to have such files on CD for archive. Broadband users, of course, wouldn't require this service as much as dialup users.

Thanks for checking it out!

Nate

2-13-05, 04:05 AM

As far as I know, it's 100% legal, unless the free demos themselves have EULAs that do not allow for redistribution, though I would be loathe to give any sort of exhaustive legal advice :)

Personally, I like the idea. I think you will definitely attack dial-up users, as well as people who enjoy having something tangible to keep around just in case.

Nice idea :)

Dabrowski

2-13-05, 09:01 AM

Personally, I like the idea.

I did forget to mention, that I too, am impressed by the idea. Now you just have to blast your site into the mainstream before some other shmoe with unlimited resources sops up all the demand:) Good ideas are a commodity. Hope it all works out for you.

damber

2-14-05, 03:05 AM

Just browsing through your site, and I am impressed with the idea. I hope it takes off for you. I like the screen shots of Medal of Honor...

BTW, Have you thought of putting www.openoffice.org Productivity Suite on your website as well? I'd say it would sit under Application -> Office

Kazuya_UK

2-14-05, 07:42 AM

That's a nice idea, I wouldn't use it personally, but there are still a lot of dialup users around who probably would. Nice site design too, it's clear and easy to navigate.

Kaz

ZackW

2-16-05, 02:22 AM

Yes, Open Office is a good one to add! We're adding new stuff almost every day.

I suppose the main focus is going to be on larger files anyway, files that most users don't have the time to download, or can't download, or don't have an online account somewhere to download. But small files we are still debating on whether to offer or not. Because there wouldn't be much point.

We were thinking of making CD Sets, such as a "utilites" disk with a dozen or so smaller files. And that sort of thing.
But mostly we're catering to the larger files like the Linux distros and game MODs and so forth.
OpenOffice is like 65MB so check back in a day or so and it'll probably be there!

Kazuya, to bad you wouldn't use it, we could use the business! We don't expect anybody to use it if they are perfectly capable of downloading themselves, or even have a friend who can. But there is still a good market out there.

Anyways, thanks for sharing your kind words.

YvetteKuhns

2-16-05, 10:47 AM

Please check EACH download that you offer to be sure you can freely distribute and copy it. Some freeware allow to you do so, but others do not. The idea is really nice for people like my sister with dialup. But the legality is another matter. PLEASE be careful with this.

I see your explanation of services and your disclaimer that the files must be approved for inclusion in your catalog. You may want to look at www.oldversions.com or search the phrase "old versions freeware" for items to add to your catalog. That would be nice.

Exchange links to sites that have dll directories, freeware, shareware, driver downloads and other stuff people need that YOU could provide for them on CD, if applicable.

Good luck!

Kazuya_UK

2-16-05, 02:28 PM

Kazuya, to bad you wouldn't use it, we could use the business! We don't expect anybody to use it if they are perfectly capable of downloading themselves, or even have a friend who can. But there is still a good market out there.

Anyways, thanks for sharing your kind words.

I would use it but I am on broadband anyway so I wouldn't need it. I'll keep your site in mind though because a lot of visitors to my forum are still on dialup so I'd always be happy to tell them to check out your site :)

Good luck with it! :D

Kaz

dantol

2-17-05, 01:03 AM

G_Man

2-17-05, 01:35 AM

Dude, your website is illegal. Either shut it down immediately, or I will order some files from you. :D

Well i think the only competition we have is a site called CDRBACKUP (DO NOT TRY AND FIND THEIR SITE) but their site is unbelievably illegal. they sell "Backup CDs" of software "you bought" :confused:.
like i said dont try and find their site.

ZackW

2-17-05, 01:41 AM

Yes we are being careful about any special licensing. Normally a person who creates FREEWARE doesn't care who distributes it, as long as his credits remain with the software. Most freeware falls under the GNU GPL which doesn't limit our distribution of the files as long as any copyright info, author/creator, credits, trademarks and so forth, STAY with the software. Which it does. We don't strip the software of anything, it is in its entirety, including any license files and so forth.

We are currently investigating such things.

When it comes time to start adding "small" files, we might take two roads, or both.

1. Let people just add as many files as they want to a CD (same price if it's just 1 CD anyway).

2. Create software CDs that already include files of similar or mixed types. Such as "game" CDs or "Utility" CDs and so forth.
We would feel bad burning a CD and mailing it with a 4MB file on it!

I might mention that FileFront also has a burning service for all its downloads. Though we are cheaper :)

Thanks again.

okami

2-20-05, 06:36 AM

Just a tip.. look into the patches and updates for MW4: Mercs at www.mektek.net (click mw4:mercs then file archive on the left).
I know quite a few that would love to have a CD of these files. If you can add this to your site I'll give ya free ads on my website along with a few other league sites I'm sure.

Great Idea, good luck with it! :)