GET YOUR ***FREE*** ENCOREPRO 1.5V SOFTWARE!!!!!

[dsm]

A case in point

Installing the ResMed Elite to Spirit update (This converts an S7 Elite CPAP into an Autoset Spirit APAP).

Can't do it without the key supplied by ResMed. Now this is a case where there is no doubt about the intentions of ResMed in regard to licensing & using their software.

Cheers

DSM

[yardbird]

I live in the world of open source. It is not uncommon to be able to download something for free and still see it in a store, boxed, with media and (sometimes) documentation and in that case you have to buy it. Not uncommon at all.

There is absolutely nothing on the download page indicating that there is a payment required for using the software. Nothing says it's INTENDED for those who have purchased the software previously.

The links that lead you to the software download page also have no such indicators. The terms of use that you agree to when installing make no mention of payment. And there is no keycode required when installing which would at least HINT there you should have registered in some way.

In this day and age it is well within the grasp of any web developer, even a part-timer, to set up a payment gateway. It is also well within the grasp of anyone with enough talent to WRITE the software to create updates that only rewrite updated files, thereby making an "update" download unuseable unless you have the core bits which presumeably you've purchased.

I say all this as a person who actually PAYS for SHAREWARE programs. The stuff they allow you to download and if you use it please send $25 to the developer or whatever. Like and honor system. If I use it and payment is suggested, I pay. It's that simple. If no payment is suggested anywhere, tehn I don't send anything...except sometimes a note of thanks for creating something I don't, personally, have the ability to program.

I see no moral controversy here at all.

[sthnreb]

I agree, if they put it up for free, I would have no problem downloading and using it. However, I already have it because I purchased the 1.4 and downloaded the 1.5 as an update for my Bipap Auto. Don't know if they will change it in the future, but get it now while it is available for free. I would think Cpap and others would be the ones complaining since they sell the 1.4 for a profit and Respironics is making the 1.5 available for free.

[yardbird]

and THAT... if anything.. could be a moral issue. Cpap.com tool good care of me. They're good people... every single one I spoke to. And here we are on a message board THEY provide, talking about how to get something for free... that they sell.

My intention has always been to buy the software at some point in the next few months when money isn't so tight. And to be honest, that's still my intention.

[Kemosabe]

If you'd read the license agreement when you installed it, you'd know it wasn't free.

[neversleeps]

I can't take more change from a cashier than I'm due either..just me I guess.

No, not "just you". But the inference was not missed by any of us.

and THAT... if anything.. could be a moral issue. Cpap.com tool [sic] good care of me. They're good people... every single one I spoke to. And here we are on a message board THEY provide, talking about how to get something for free... that they sell.

Yes. That was the issue foremost on my mind before I posted this discovery. However, since it is not another vendor that is making this available to us, but the actual manufacturer, it is not crossing the line.

My intention has always been to buy the software at some point in the next few months when money isn't so tight. And to be honest, that's still my intention.

yardbird, you don't need to buy the software at some point in the next few months when money isn't so tight. Why on earth don't you just download it now? Isn't that why Respironics offers it? You are not doing anything wrong. It is not illegal. It is not morally corrupt.

And on that note, good people, I'm off to continue my quest to pillage and plunder everything in my path...

... just me I guess.

[sleepyinsunnyvale]

I think this is a rather interesting thread. I'm wondering why someone hasn't suggested an obvious answer to the "is it free?" dilemma.
First thing Monday morning call Respironics and alert them to the free 1.5 download. Either they'll say "Yes, it is now free" or they'll thank you for pointing out their error.
If it's the former, take the $100 and buy your significant other a nice dinner.
If it's the latter....I wonder what those who downloaded 1.5 will do.

Perhaps others have thought about this solution also but it's a case of "I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER SO I WON'T ASK THE QUESTION".

[neversleeps]

Again, it's my opinion, but it seems very odd that they just decided to give it away. Seems more likely to me that it was posted by mistake. I'll find out when they respond.

biggziff has kindly taken care of that for us.

[Wulfman]

Here are my thoughts on this "free" software:

Since Respironics doesn't cater to the end-user crowd (us), this download site of theirs is for the DME and medical professional users of the software.
If you try to get to this website through their "home" page and menus, you probably won't be able to find it. (for the "professional" crowd only)
Since they have probably recouped the cost of the software many times over through the hardware prices, they may feel that they owe the DME crowd a "freebee"? By the way, one local DME told me that THEIR costs for the equipment were more than what we're able to buy the same things for from CPAP.COM.

As may have been mentioned before, it's not uncommon for software companies to issue a full software install as an update/upgrade.

FWIW:
I'm already a legally licensed owner of the Encore Pro software.
I have not downloaded it yet and am not sure if I will.....everything I'm using at this point is working just fine and since I don't use a Bi-Pap, I don't see any need to upgrade.

Best wishes,

Den

[THier]

OK,,
Time to chime in here,,, I bought my Encore pro less than a month ago,,, I feel no remorse to download and use 1.5.


Tom

[sleepyinsunnyvale]

I don't think downloading 1.5 to update your legally purchased 1.4 is an issue. It's my belief that is what Respironics intended to do when posting 1.5 on their site.

[Guest]

I don't think downloading 1.5 is an issue regardless of prior purchase. It is posted in the Respironics Software Update Center to be downloaded by those who choose to do so. It's my belief that is what Respironics intended to do when posting 1.5 on their site.

[sleepyinsunnyvale]

We sure do have a lot of "beliefs" running through this thread or maybe rationalizations. I guess we'll know for sure after someone calls Respironics tomorrow morning and find out exactly what their intent is.

[loonlvr]

When I bought my machine, It had version 1.3. I then downloaded the 'UPGRADE' 1.4. Now that there is a version of 'UPGRADE " 1.5, i'll do that. My question is? Is this an upgrade(like a windows) or an complete program. I would like to see someone uninstall there software and install 1.5 and see if it actually works.

[yardbird]

loonlvr-

It's a complete installation. I had absolutely no previous installation, downloaded 1.5, and it installed completely. I started it and added myself as a patient. So in short. It's a full install.