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An idea for a dream project : Need your opinions and advice

 
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I don't know if this is being/has been tried before. Please let me know the possible challenges in this project or if this is an impractical idea. I might pursue it when i have gained "enough" knowledge.

The Idea :
An online facility that lets people rent/use software (especially expensive ones) for a limited time and small fee. A fast and 24/7 functioning internet connection is needed for this (might be a problem in places like India)

The need :
->Often, students need expensive software only for a short duration and for personal use/at home.
Eg Electronics guys : MATLAB - $1900 , Kiddie Animators : 3D Studio max, Maya - 3-4 Lakh INR.
Sometimes they use pirated copies if they want to use it at home instead of their college/training institute (I know that some private institutes give software "under the table").
This does not harm the software companies as long as students dont use the software for business. But, the company can augment its income by "renting" its expensive software for some time.

->Sometimes one wants to use a particular software only 3-4 times and the trial/free version doesnt allow that OR the free alternatives might not be as good. In such cases renting might be better than buying the software.

Eagerly waiting for your advice and opinions.



 
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Should ideas for a dream project come to you in your sleep?
 
Rahul Sudip Bose
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Ulf Dittmer wrote:Should ideas for a dream project come to you in your sleep?


 
Rancher
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wait here, I'll go check.
 
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Rahul Sudip Bose wrote:

Ulf Dittmer wrote:Should ideas for a dream project come to you in your sleep?




This is the meaningless drivel forum. You shouldn't always expect a serious answer.

Henry
 
Henry Wong
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Rahul Sudip Bose wrote:
This does not harm the software companies as long as students dont use the software for business. But, the company can augment its income by "renting" its expensive software for some time.

->Sometimes one wants to use a particular software only 3-4 times and the trial/free version doesnt allow that OR the free alternatives might not be as good. In such cases renting might be better than buying the software.

Eagerly waiting for your advice and opinions.



As a project to have fun with. I say sure. Go ahead.


Other the other hand, if you want to create a business from it... regardless of harm, or if it is common practice, or if the free trail doesn't allow it, or etc., you are under the mercy of the software company. Remember that you agreed to the "contract for use" at the time you open the packaging. I doubt renting is on the allowed list -- you will need to separately negotiate it.

Henry
 
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Also, for the US possibly irrelevant, especially if you're serious about students being your market.

Most (many? all?) US universities have negotiated contracts for bulk software use by faculty, staff, and students. Poking around I found MATLAB (base, not including various add-ons) under $50 US. But you do have to be legit.
 
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GameFly is like Netflix for games, with the disk mailers and everything. Similar idea, I guess.
 
David O'Meara
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Just after midnight, nothing yet.
 
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I think that with Remote Desktop Connection (a feature of Windows) you can already do these things. You have a computer running the software somewhere, and with RDC you log in remotely so you can see and use the desktop of the computer running the software.
 
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