The battle to come up with a tolerable licensing system continues. I struggle with this, as I want my software to be completely free. However, that just isn't feasible.
Recently, I've received complaints from free build users who felt ambushed or betrayed by the new nags. This blog posting is for them.
After re-enabling almost all Pro features in the free edition of Process Lasso, I decided to compensate by making the nags more aggressive. The intent was to ensure that people still had some incentive to purchase Process Lasso Pro. It turns out that I made the nags too aggressive though, annoying some users of the free build.
To be fair, I've certainly seen *much* more aggressive nags in software. Still, many users found these new nags annoying. After some consideration, I agree with them. The new nags were too annoying. I made a mistake, and for that I sincerely apologize.
To help with this problem of nag annoyance, I made some quick adjustments to the latest final build, v3.54.8. The build number has not changed, but the build date in the about box will be April 22, 2009.
These adjustments are:
These changes will be ported to the next beta release as well, but that won't be until later today. Beta users will have to tolerate the existing nags for a little longer.
TIP: You can move it out of the way. Process Lasso does not wait for that dialog to close before you can use it.
Recently, I've received complaints from free build users who felt ambushed or betrayed by the new nags. This blog posting is for them.
After re-enabling almost all Pro features in the free edition of Process Lasso, I decided to compensate by making the nags more aggressive. The intent was to ensure that people still had some incentive to purchase Process Lasso Pro. It turns out that I made the nags too aggressive though, annoying some users of the free build.
To be fair, I've certainly seen *much* more aggressive nags in software. Still, many users found these new nags annoying. After some consideration, I agree with them. The new nags were too annoying. I made a mistake, and for that I sincerely apologize.
To help with this problem of nag annoyance, I made some quick adjustments to the latest final build, v3.54.8. The build number has not changed, but the build date in the about box will be April 22, 2009.
These adjustments are:
- The dialog appears after 30 days (in latest beta)
- The dialog nag timer is only 5 seconds now
- The dialog nag can be aborted early by closing the dialog. However, an extra message box will appear. This at least gives some option to instantly get rid of the dialog.
- The system tray nag no longer shown when the dialog nag starts appearing.
- My web site indicates that nags are present in the free build. There is no subterfuge.
- I always personally run the free version myself, to ensure that it isn't that bothersome or in any way crippled
These changes will be ported to the next beta release as well, but that won't be until later today. Beta users will have to tolerate the existing nags for a little longer.
TIP: You can move it out of the way. Process Lasso does not wait for that dialog to close before you can use it.
