Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2002 15:43:37 -0000
From: arctellion <tomas@hunkymonkey.co.uk>
Reply-To: mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com
To: mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [mepbmlist] AutotragicHi all,
As a user who runs Linux, and therefore has great difficulty with
windows pased applications, I have broken down the Automagic output
so that people like myself can benefit from the price cut and still
get my orders in as though I had used automagic!So, just a quick note to all those who want to benefit from the price
reduction associated with automagic, but don't want to use the
software!You will need to write your orders in a text editor as using the
following format...<snip>
Not only is the Automagic unfair for those who don't use
Microsoft products, we're now being asked to pay extra for having
someone input the orders--something that has always been included in
the price. I do feel sorry for those that still use mail as a method
for inputting orders.
I feel even more sorry for those of us who are now being asked
to pay more for the same service or do more work with a somewhat
excessive program (Mike, the program looks great so don't take this as
a criticism of the spreadsheets per se)--the point is that some of us
use very plain text editors for our orders and are now required to pay
more for orders; pay more for an unwanted and over-priced Microsoft
program; or, even spend more time learning yet another set of
software. I personally have given more than enough money directly or
indirectly to Bill Gates.
Finally, I feel the sorriest for those who input the orders.
Their salaries, although likely at legal minimums but with the great
benefit of playing MEPBM, will be now used to increase the 'bottom
line' for Harlequin - profit before people. And, to top it off, those
same people who get the wonderful benefit of playing for free will now
have to use the same program to input their orders that will make them
unemployed. I guess irony is best served on the battlefields of Middle
Earth.
On a side note, in Canada reverse-option billing is now an
illegal practice for companies to engage--and the introduction of
Automagic in the way Harlequin is doing meets the Canadian definition
for an illegal business practice. In the US, many states have taken
action to limit like changes although the practice still exists
without much enforcement.
I would suggest raising the price back to the rate that GSI
and Deft had for US players across the board for all types of orders.
This way Harlequin can honestly have a reasonable profit (we don't
want you going out of business), those who like Automagic can use it,
and those who don't can still use the time-honoured and old-fashioned
labour intensive methods.
Good thing for Harlequin that the Luddites are a thing of the past,
George P. Mason
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