I remember going to computer trade shows and hobby groups to get patches. Of course, back in those days you could actually talk to Michael Dell of Dell computers
Yes, those were the time. Actual video games trade shows where you could buy OFFLINE. And actually talk to the developers ! Nowadays you can do that only on the Games Com, and even there most developers are locked away from the public in the Business Area. It's almost as if they don't want any buying customers anymore.
I had bought Indy 4 with its 5 ? 7 ? floppy discs on such a trade show. That was an huge investment for me ! But I never regrettet it. It's just a great game.
I only wish now I had bought an original Monkey Island game there as well - when it was till avilable. Boxed form.
That was the time when Shareware was great. Peter Norton's Tools were still shareware, and one could send in input and ideas to the Shareware authors and it was quickly programmed by them.
When everything got more "professionalized", then this close contact went away.
Instead, huge companies were built that lost the ccontact to the ground anbd just lifted off and flew away, in big, huge motherships.
Therefore I'm glad that with Kickstarter and the whole Indie scene we have that again. Although no-one does tools through these channels anymore.