Makes me think. Our first official order was in 1984, $35. Currently, for the most similar program, the price is $79. In 1984, we calculated and filled in preprinted paychecks. Paper "reports" were printed to get figures to enter into tax forms. W2 fill in was possible, if you or we knew the proper "printer control codes" for the brand and model of printer being used.
Inflation charts tell me I should be charging about $105. But nope, and we have exponentially more functions/features than 1984.
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The reality is, there is usually one code base these days, with the ability to hide/disable things if you want a lite or different "versions". The cost is actually MORE, to produce the lesser versions (time adding/testing the code to hide/disable things). The savings of a lite version are often from reduced support costs via restrictions on support in some manner (the cost of one long support issue can take a couple of years for the customer's license fee to recoup).
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Written as I chuckle to myself pondering pricing. I just filled up our EV for under $10 (~250 miles) and tomorrow, I get to fill up our ICE, about 30 gallons at $5.80 per, good for about 600 miles. The last time I got gas, it was at least a dollar less per gallon. We would have no ICE car, except it is the one SWMBO allows the pups in, and it can be flat towed behind our motorhome. We have no room for a car trailer or I would get a second EV to drag around on trips. I am allowed to keep our Wrangler, carbureted, 4WD, top and doors off, and I get to use the third pedal!