This new pricing model doesn't just affect people how people can use it according to their budgets, it changes what Revolution fundamentally is.
I realize all change is shocking and first responses tend to be pessimistic. I don't want to be too negative without hearing all the options. But my first reaction certainly wasn't jumping for joy.
The old model was really neat. If it needed some adjustments, that wouldn't be too bad. But I don't like to throw out everything and start all over every year. (That's why I don't change OSs and computers every time Apple has a trade show, for example.) I'm planning to base most of what I do in Rev, I've spent a lot of time building up stuff, and I'm hankering for a stable process, if possible avoiding big surprises--they tend to wrench the stomach.
I also need to know that I can continue to afford to stay on the ship that I jumped onto when I embarked on my journey; the ocean analogy is a good one to show the situation a person would be in if the licensing changes beyond his means! (Well, not lethal, but...)
I still hadn't renewed, but with the old system I was looking forward to doing so when I could, for the next big release. I guess there is still the question of the renewal fees. That might improve it a bit or not depending on what they are.
But here are the points I want to consider:
1. The fee model is very similar to RealBasic. I guess that's okay. (Although I came here trying to get away from RealBasic!) The prices and update privileges are similar. But a few important points: Realbasic Standard is 150 for CD and printed docs, and (as far as I know, I haven't fooled with them much lately) no "Made with" message. RB is 100 for license and downloads only.
I prefer e-docs, so that's no problem for me, although many people are ravenous for docs printed out. (But when you pay 150 for something, it shouldn't be like a cereal box offer for kids where you get the nag version. "Made with" is popular for versions of software ranging from free to 30 dollars. Even though it's the cheapest level, 150 is still way above the nag level and those customers have paid adequately for control over their software including notices. You might get away with it (and maybe open up a new market for Rev and get more new people in) for a fifty dollar version with enough additional limitations.
If I bought RealBasic (not planning to, but let's look at the comparison since the price models look similar) I would definitely get (two of) the license-only versions at 100 each. If I bought Rev (from scratch, pretend I'm a new customer) that's 150 each--for the same thing, download the app and docs. Now, you do get some value for that 50 dollars each, but still, that's a consideration.
2. A more positive thought: Depending on the renewals, I may be considering the 150 version, buying one for Mac and one for Windows. That's fine. I would probably prefer that to the 400 version because you can edit on both platforms. But a promo screen at the end would jinx it up.
Even if the renewal fees were sweet enough to make it better for me to use another version, I still think that would still be a good option for people getting started.
But again, the promo screen--it's almost like a communication breakdown and lack of understanding of concepts and viewpoints between company and customer--not realizing that a 150 or 300 dollar per feature version customer is a serious customer! Look at other companies and products. The nag version (with the right limitations, they need to be sufficient limitations and something to adequately differentiate from the standard version and more serious users--notably, probably not making products to sell for profit) is totally acceptable to bring in people who are not doing something so serious, at a different price range. Teachers, kids, hobbyists who are not hard-core, freeware developers and non-profits--all these would be perfect examples and Rev could possibly start a new line of business there--but it has *nothing* to do with a version, no matter what it's called, at the 150 range. Making this mistake could have the potential to cheapen your product image and lose a whole set of potential customers in a certain range of price and interests.
3. What will be the results of the changes in terms of defining Revolution and how will people see it under the new setup? The old definition was definitely: the ultimate in multi-platform, in all aspects, at all levels.
However, I can understand that paying for platform privileges makes sense. So if this works out, fine. I'm open to it, as long as the issues such as #1 and #2 are handled well enough.
Well, there it is. I want to say congrats to RunRev on everything that's happened lately! It's exciting. But think carefully about this pricing model.
Thanks,
Curry Kenworthy _______________________________________________ use-revolution mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-revolution
