freeware to shareware - thoughts
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
I think ,a successful freeware ware is hard,first the software's function will be fited user's requirement,second ,you should prepare a long time ,in this time ,your software will be knowed and be userd by client.after thie time,there are some users can office or be a implement by useing your software,now , software's bug and practicability will be advised.you can modify your code so as to adapt run environment.long....long.....at last,your price will be low because person is user not customer(user no money,customer money as hill) thanks for your reading...:) You are the best!Me too!
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Well, there often comes a time when a freeware project must go commercial inorder for the creator to justify spending more time on it. What's IMO a problem is if they make the older versions unavailable or withhold bug fixes except for the shareware version.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Jesus
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi -
Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Sometimes it is inevitable, like dotnetmagic. We should ask Phill about it! Cheers, Erick
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
I personally do not thing it is reasonable. As an example, MailWasher that I had used for quite some time switched to only allowing one account unless you pay for it. First, they had their advertisment in the software so I fell I have already paid for it. There would be no way on earth I would pay for that product with them more or less pulling functionality that I already had out and forcing me to buy it. Does not matter if they only wanted a quarter for it, I would not pay it. Now, with that said, I would probably had bought an "extended" or "pro" version had they added functionality and said that I can use the version I already had or buy this new version. That seems reasonable. It all boils down to giving them something and once they are happy with it, you take it away and make them pay for it. That is not right. We already had an agreement. If you want me to buy something, give me something more than I already have. Serveral people here on CP have taken a product they developed with the help of others on this site and the take away your rights to use it as you have been so that they can make money on it. I understand people need to make money, but that is ripping other people off. They put time into helping you build the product to lose out on thier work so that you can make money. It is not just the people that have helped with the product, but also those that use it. They have invested time into the product to learn to use and and adapt to it. You change your mind and pull their rights and now they lose that investment. In short, if you put something out for free then you should always stick with that model. The only exception is to give them something more and charge them for the extras. Rocky <>< www.GotTheAnswerToSpam.com
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Well, there often comes a time when a freeware project must go commercial inorder for the creator to justify spending more time on it. What's IMO a problem is if they make the older versions unavailable or withhold bug fixes except for the shareware version.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Jesus
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma GandhiI understand about the bugfixes, but maybe they make older versions of the software unavailable because bandwidth is not cheap? I understand someone trying to give back to the community and making something freeware, but there may come a point where they can no longer sustain that model if bandwidth cost gets to high. Then what go and ask for donations so only a small percentage of the actual users can then pay for the cost of the product through donations? I just wish there was a viable model that can help with free software. I don't know if the donation method even works?? Anyone? Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
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Has anyone created a successful freeware program and then afterwards decided to change it to shareware, if so did it work for you and was it viable? Is it mostly getting a critical mass of users that when you finally switch to a shareware model they are forced to buy your product, and if so, have you had a mass exodus of users? I just noticed several "freeware" programs that I used to use that are now shareware like PowerArchiver and SmartFTP. I now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". Or, is this the future of software sales? Create something that is freeware and then when so many people use it say "sorry, its now shareware. Please register to continue using"? I know about releasing a freeware version and then a shareware version of a product, you usually limit the use of the freeware version by only allowing certain features, or crippling it. I think this is a more honest approach as the user knows what to expect. They are happy using it for some time then you hit them with a pay to play fee. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter, as I am curious if I will release future products as freeware, wait till it hits critical mass in the market, and turn it into shareware. TIA Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Code4Food wrote: now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". I'm curious as to why you feel "wronged." If somebody gives their hard work away for free that's all good and well but they are certainly under no obligation to do so, nor to continue to do so. I suspect that a lot of the people you have a complaint about started out writing some small program in their spare time that became popular. I'm sure that none of them had the idea of "let's rip people off by initially releasing this as freeware and then switching it to shareware." And even so, it takes hundreds or thousands of hours to write something decent so why shouldn't they be able to get a little something back for their efforts? There's usually nothing stopping you continuing to use the old, free version if you're not prepared to pay the lousy 10 or 20 dollars these things usually cost or switch to some other free app :rolleyes: We get so used to getting really good stuff for free off the net, we forget that somebody had to work very hard to produce it all. We should be supporting these guys, not bitching and moaning that they're "ripping us off."
"Sucks less" isn't progress - Kent Beck [^] Awasu 1.1.3 [^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
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Code4Food wrote: now feel wronged by the SmartFTP people as it was initially released as freeware and now its "pay to use". I'm curious as to why you feel "wronged." If somebody gives their hard work away for free that's all good and well but they are certainly under no obligation to do so, nor to continue to do so. I suspect that a lot of the people you have a complaint about started out writing some small program in their spare time that became popular. I'm sure that none of them had the idea of "let's rip people off by initially releasing this as freeware and then switching it to shareware." And even so, it takes hundreds or thousands of hours to write something decent so why shouldn't they be able to get a little something back for their efforts? There's usually nothing stopping you continuing to use the old, free version if you're not prepared to pay the lousy 10 or 20 dollars these things usually cost or switch to some other free app :rolleyes: We get so used to getting really good stuff for free off the net, we forget that somebody had to work very hard to produce it all. We should be supporting these guys, not bitching and moaning that they're "ripping us off."
"Sucks less" isn't progress - Kent Beck [^] Awasu 1.1.3 [^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
For me I feel its the prinicipal a sort of bait and switch tactic. If it was a paid version from the beginning I wouldn't feel as bad, but being that is was free for some time and then becomes paid is what irks me. You are right you are allowed to make money of your own work, I know I do it. If they wanted to make money from it why didn't they just charge from the very beginning, then I wouldn't have a false sense of security. But now I am wary of any freeware application because it maybe turned into shareware the more popular it becomes. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda