There is a demo version of a CAD program that I’d like to take a look at. It fits into a category that I’m very enthusiastic about: Tools that empower non-CAD-gurus. I wanted to talk about it here, in my blog.
Yet, I can’t install it.
It’s not because my computer is incompatible. It’s because, after having read the license agreement, I can’t, in good conscience, click “accept”.
It sucks, because this program looks really interesting.
At first, It occurred to me to “out” the vendor, and tell everyone why the license agreement is so egregious. But, after some thought, I figured I’d rather ask you some questions, about how you respond to license agreements.
So, let’s assume that you recently installed a demo version of a CAD program:
- Did you read the license agreement?
- If you didn’t, why not? (seriously.)
- Were you just being lazy?
- Did you even scan it a little bit?
- Did you think it’s not an enforceable contract?
- Did you think it’s full of meaningless boilerplate?
- Did you think the vendor would never actually enforce its terms?
- If you did read it,
- Did you understand it?
- Did you grasp its implications?
- If you showed it to your lawyer, what would he say?
- Why did you click “accept?”
