Although I have not been at home and able to pick up my MacBook to try it out, I am excited about Apple’s new App Store. I’ll be able to pick the software that I want, buy it, download it and hey presto! It’s a simple way to buy new software.

The Mac App Store has a few other benefits. Apps will be kept up to date, they be available later and if you have to reinstall your Mac. What’s not to love about the idea? I hope that Microsoft also bring out an App Store. Heck, I would love it.

The main reason that I’m keen is because I believe that people should be paid for their work. It is simple really – while I am a fan of Open Source Software, I’m also a fan of choice. If developers want to charge for their software, I think they should be able to have that opportunity. Afterall, most adults are in work and expect to be reasonably recompensed for that work. You don’t often find Open Source teachers, politicians or lawyers do you? Woohoo, I spent four years at university and got my degree and now I’m going to work for nothing?

That’s the reason that I do pay for a lot of the software that I use. I’ve paid for Apple and PC stuff. Commercial and shareware. I’ve also sometimes tipped a few dollars to people whose software is freely shared but who have a PayPal account for appreciative users. I also pay for a few of the websites/web apps that I use regularly. LastPass, Xmarks, MetaFilter, Flickr …

As the World Wide Web grew in popularity people got used to a model where everything could be found for free. I still have private clients who ask me how to find music and movies on the internet. When I point them to iTunes or the like they are incredulous because they already pay Xtra or Vodafone for the internet, and the other stuff is for free, right? This attitude extends beyond people who would never “illegally” download music or a movie. Many people sign up for websites and applications and then cry foul when the site changes the groundrules or worse, has the teremity to close.

“What about MY bookmarks? I have this many and I’ve had them there for all these years!” was the cry when it was leaked that Yahoo were looking to change Delicious.

“Have you paid for the service?” was my answer. And even then, does paying for something really give us any rights?

Nothing has changed. Webspace, bandwidth, customer service and support all cost money. Money that can’t always be recouped by advertisements. If a service appears free to use, someone is paying for it – and why should they subsidise your use?

If you are not paying for it, you’re not the customer; you’re the product being sold. (MetaFilter user blue_beetle)

Think about it. You get what you pay for.