[EAS] Some clarifications RE: EAS vendor support for TLS versions

[Sean Donelan]

On Mon, 22 Jul 2019, Ed Czarnecki wrote:
> However, a DASDEC-I can still run v3.1.  You don't have to upgrade if 
> you have a DASDEC-I running v3.1 ... that will still chug along, and 
> work with the NPT, EAN, TLS, and most other acronyms ...

If I recall, DASDEC-II's showed up in 2011 with v2.something.  I didn't 
include the preceding platforms when calculating the average between 
"free" software releases.

9 years with the initial software relase plus two paid software updates (9 
/ 2 = 4.5 years). But those years aren't evenly distribute. The first 
5 years (2 years warranty) didn't charge for software updates. Paid 
software updates have been averaging every two to three years for the 
last 5 years. Unless the box was still under warranty, and then the 
warranty included the latest software update.

DASDEC-I (don't know, didn't have any)

DASDEC-II announced September 2010 with release V?.? (don't know 
the shipping date)

DASDEC v 3.0 released April 2016, $495

DASDEC v 4.0 released December 2018, $495

Based on recent DASDEC history, I would budget for another DASDEC paid 
software release in 2020, using that schedule.  Claiming 12 years for
the first paid upgrades may be technically correct, but a bit misleading 
base on recent history.

I'm not against paying for software maintenance.  Need to pay for the 
programmers and customer service somehow.  Apple doesn't charge for 
software, but charges 50% more for hardware.  There ain't no such thing 
as a free lunch.

I've always been surprised that Sage didn't sell annual maintenance 
contracts for the software and hardware.  Although Sage boxes are pretty 
reliable. Like anything connected with wires, the boxes seem to die from 
mostly from lightning.  Buying a replacement box is probably less 
paperwork than maintenance contracts.