Why Make EXP Available for Free?
Many users may be puzzled why Symbol Dynamics has made the decision to release EXP 6.2 for free. Here are some reasons:
- Since EXP 1.0 was released in 1986, it has proven difficult to prevent people from making illegal copies of the software and distributing it illegally
within their institution or organization. It was only with EXP 6.0 (released in 2008) that major steps were taken to combat illegal use. Unfortunately, although
those steps were highly effective at reducing illegal usage, many computer users now have a mindset that software should be free and they do not want to pay for
it. The prevalence of open source software and other software that is made available for free (such as web browsers) has made it difficult for small niche
market software companies.
- The author of EXP has decided that the time has come where the operating costs and effort of selling EXP outweigh the financial rewards.
- By giving future versions of EXP away for free, the author can devote more time to enhancing the EXP software as less time will be needed for business
operations.
Important Notes
- Although Symbol Dynamics is making EXP 6.2 available at no cost, EXP 6.2 is still licensed software. Click
here to read the EXP 6.2 License Agreement. All previous versions of EXP are governed by their
respective license agreements and may NOT be distributed for free.
- Symbol Dynamics LLC is not going out-of-business in a legal sense.
- EXP is not "dead". It will continue to be enhanced and supported.
- EXP is not becoming advertising supported.
