Financial support for the Free version...

[realm]

Hi,
I read your notice on the front page that states "The free version of Kirby Alarm will be removed by 31 May 07 unless I get your financial support." along with the table stating the number of downloads and such... As much as I can see the disapointment, I'm also shaking my head a little, wondering what your plan was exactly.  The help file, on the other hand, states:

Kirby Alarm is my hobby. I have written it for fun, not profit.
I get a kick out of making something that others find useful.
By registering, you are adding to the 'fun'.
If you leave positive feedback then that is all the better.
If you make a donation then I'd be over the moon.

So should I understand you were expecting to receive money from your hobby?  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's nice to receive money from people for things you've done. That'd be the "over the mood" part. Well, I can see you went over the moon a couple of times per month, that's not bad, I've never been there.

Here's my point tho. If you were expecting to receive money from the FREE version, then you should have made it a shareware from the start. The simple fact that you DID receieve some donations should be more than enough to make you happy. If you don't receive anymore donations, you should still be happy you got some in the first place. After all, it is a FREE software.

Reality is, you write a nice piece of software, you have to expect that a lot of people will download it, and run it. Maybe for a couple of weeks, and then find out they don't like it and remove it from their system. Maybe They'll love it and run it for years, and you still won't see a penny. Then, it takes a few that like it (not necessarily for years but...) before you get to see some funds.  It is very likely that the ones that registered the pro version started with the free version. They did not send you a donation for the free one, they bought the pro one instead.

According to your table, between 2 and 3% of the people that downloaded the pro version purchased it.  I'd say that's not bad at all...

As for people using the cracked version, well, that sucks, go ask Bill Gates... Then again, Bill doesn't have to worry, he's also making a ton of money.. then again, Bill never said he was running a free version

Sorry man, no intention of bashing you here. I appreciate what you did (the software) and understand your feeling on the lack of funds, but you also have to look at reality. You won't make a living out of writing freeware.

R.

[Ian Cook]

Well, I appreciate the feedback.

I meant what I said years ago, when I originally wrote the program about my reason for doing it.
It was a hobby. That's all it was. I had no other motive.
Believe it or not, I even agonized over whether to put the "Make a Donation" button on the program.

When I wrote the free version of Kirby Alarm I was working full time. I worked for the same company for 19 years.
BUT things change, and I found I was not as happy as I used to be. Things were not as satisfying for me anymore so I decided to leave.
I got more enjoyment from Kirby Alarm and working on my own projects than working for someone else.

I would NOT call it a "mood" change.
I am sure there are many things in many people's life that change (including their opinion). I am one of them.

Now I am working for myself, I simply cannot afford to have the free version anymore without financial support.
You said I "won't make a living out out writing freeware". I agree with you. Hence the reason why I have no choice but to make the decision I have.

I am sorry if this disappoints you.

Anyways, have you at least tried the pro version? It is so much better than the free version.

Ian

[realm]

Hey Ian,

sorry if my message came across as somewhat rough, that's what happens when I write first thing in the morning while waiting for the coffee to finish brewing..   I hear you tho, I used to write software back then too, and had lots of fun doing so, but it didn't pay all the bills... That being said, maybe I should send you an email, I have something in mind that you might be able to help me with... I'll get back to you on that...

Real

[Ian Cook]

Hi Real
Don't worry, your message did not come across as rough. I am not offended at all.

Ian

[rodger]

Best wishes Ian on your desire to work for yourself. May the Lord bless your efforts.