Bad Software: What To Do When Software Fails - Softcover

Kaner, Cem; Pels, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471318264 ISBN 13: 9780471318262

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1998

Synopsis

Avoid technological lemons and be your own consumer advocate.

Most software products are released with known defects. Misleading advertising is rampant in the industry, and few software publishers provide real warranties for their products. And as we all know, most software companies provide woefully inadequate technical support. Quite simply, consumers usually get the short end of the stick in the software industry. Not for long, if the authors of Bad Software can help it. This book pulls no punches in explaining why things are so bad, and how consumers can best stand up for themselves. The authors provide guidance on how to troubleshoot faulty software and when to call for help; exactly what to demand of software companies when defective products cost you time and money; how to ensure a replacement or refund; how best to deal with intransigent companies and their personnel; and much more. Written by industry insiders with software management, technical support management, and legal experience, this book will show you how to fight for your rights and get valuable results.

Companion Web site features legislative and regulatory news and commentary, court cases, and contact information for protection agencies.

About this title

Review:

"...[A] brilliant book"... -- PC Computing, October 1999

From the Back Cover:

"This book is worth buying for the first chapter alone. In Bad Software, Cem Kaner and David Pels provide consumers with simple steps for dealing with defective software - a how-to book for consumer protection in the Information Age".
- Ralph Nader Consumer Advocate

Tired of waiting on hold for an hour when you call for technical support, only to be told, "Gosh we've never heard of that problem before! There must be something wrong with your video card." Isn't it time you get your money's worth when you buy software? Bad Software shows you how to negotiate more effectively with a software publisher. It will help you get a refund, bug fixes, additional support, and sometimes, repayment for losses caused by defective software. Additionally, if the software publisher won't play fair, Bad Software arms you with the information you need to protect your legal rights as a software consumer. Written by experts in software technical support, quality assurance, and software law, this book will help you:

Get a refund quickly if you want one
Decide when to troubleshoot problems yourself and when to call for help
Communicate more effectively with the software publisher's technical support staff so you can get your program working again fast.
Understand and exercise your legal rights as a buyer of defective software
Choose a lawyer who can handle a small consumer protection case effectively, and help the lawyer keep your legal costs low (sometimes zero)
Shop effectively next time - common traps to avoid and easy ways to increase your rights when you buy any software product.

About this edition

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0471318264
• ISBN 13: 9780471318262
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384