The End of the Lifetime License

[binocular222]

You know I'm actually one of those people who used your software with a pirate key for the longest time. Until I realized it's probably the best piece of software I've ever used. My usage statistics for Xyplorer.exe must be a couple thousand hours at the least.

So I figured you earned my 50 bucks. And perhaps I'll buy a license here and there in the future to give you some extra support. Or you could just set up a Paypal account or Chip-in or something

Me too, but I bought a license last month as XYplorer is too good for me.
I agree that anti-piracy is very hard, especially for such a well-known software as XYplorer.

[Marco]

Just a little thought: why the "surviving" license has such a long name as "Standard License Pro"? Since there won't be a difference Standard-Lifetime and Home-Pro anymore, why not just calling it "the License"?

[admin]

Just a little thought: why the "surviving" license has such a long name as "Standard License Pro"? Since there won't be a difference Standard-Lifetime and Home-Pro anymore, why not just calling it "the License"?

Yes, I have been thinking about that as well. But it would confuse old customers. And in some contexts it might continue to make sense to talk about a "license type", and "the License" would sound funny then.

[Marco]

Mmh, I just report you the case of Comodo. Their free security suite is "Comodo Internet Security Premium". The "non-Premium" version doesn't exist, all this probably dates back to some years ago when there were multiple, different versions. I banged my head a couple of times trying to find the "non bell and whistles" version in the past. Having a license with multiple names could be misleading and somehow redundant. All this in my humble opinion, of course.

[admin]

Mmh, I just report you the case of Comodo. Their free security suite is "Comodo Internet Security Premium". The "non-Premium" version doesn't exist, all this probably dates back to some years ago when there were multiple, different versions. I banged my head a couple of times trying to find the "non bell and whistles" version in the past. Having a license with multiple names could be misleading and somehow redundant. All this in my humble opinion, of course.

Yes, I understand. But: I will continue to get emails from "Home Edition" users that ask me why scripting does not work. What do I reply? "Get the license!" ??

[Marco]

That's true...

[unix]

XYplorer user number one bought the Lifetime License on 19.April.2000 for USD 25.00 and is still using it today with the current version without any additional payment ever. That's more than 12 years. And user number one will continue using it as long as he wishes, with free upgrades forever. And this is true, of course, for all Lifetime License holders of XYplorer: The Lifetime License never expires and you get free upgrades forever. And it is a per-user license, so you can use it on all of your machines. So the XYplorer Lifetime License is obviously the best license you can possibly get for a software. With other software the term "Lifetime License" often means something different, something less valuable (see e.g. http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/inde ... ic=28276.0). The differences in usage naturally blur the term "Lifetime License" and potential customers get confused about what they get for their money. This is good for those who offer a bad "Lifetime License", but bad for those who offer a good "Lifetime License".

So here's the news: After more than 12 years I will cease to offer the Lifetime License for XYplorer. Of course, all Lifetime Licenses already sold are NOT affected by this at all. But there will be no new Lifetime Licenses. Also the Home Edition is discontinued. Beginning with the publication of XYplorer 12.00 (planned for January 2013) only one type of license will be offered, the Standard License Pro. Still a great license with free upgrades for about one year, and you can use it on all of your machines. And, another news, I will introduce an upgrade discount for it.

Yeah, the end of an era. But the Lifetime License was simply too good for its price, and the price was too high for those who didn't understand how good it was. A situation which is not sustainable economically in the long run.

I'm glad I stumble upon XYplorer, primarily through http://www.techsupportalert.com review of version 5.0, and purchased the lifetime license before 2012 ends. Streamlining your product to one is simpler to support and less confusion too. Something to consider for new pricing is perhaps a one price for/per version, i.e. $50 for 12.x (2013) but not for 13.x. And 13.x planned for 2014 with features that users want to upgrade, this also makes you innovative to think of "gotta have" features too.

Regarding software pirating, I think you should just focus your energy on making wonderful software. Users are going to pay if they see benefits with your application and those who don't probably can't afford it, but probably will pay once they can, i.e. have a good job.

[admin]

I'm glad I stumble upon XYplorer, primarily through http://www.techsupportalert.com review of version 5.0, and purchased the lifetime license before 2012 ends. Streamlining your product to one is simpler to support and less confusion too. Something to consider for new pricing is perhaps a one price for/per version, i.e. $50 for 12.x (2013) but not for 13.x. And 13.x planned for 2014 with features that users want to upgrade, this also makes you innovative to think of "gotta have" features too.

Regarding software pirating, I think you should just focus your energy on making wonderful software. Users are going to pay if they see benefits with your application and those who don't probably can't afford it, but probably will pay once they can, i.e. have a good job.

Good morning unix, and good morning 2013!

Concerning January: I said v12.00 is planned for January 2013, I did not say for January 1st 2013, so there is a little time left. I expect v12.00 around the 20th or so.

The problem with "$50 for 12.x (2013)" is that in October 2013 and at version 12.80 nobody will buy anymore. Therefore I opted for the "one major version cycle model" which is fairer, but admittedly harder to understand. It is indeed tempting (now that a *.00 version happens to come out in January) to link major version with calendar year. Such simplicity is nice and works. But I think I will eventually stick with content driven publication dates. I don't like to be ruled by astronomical conincidences, LOL.

Software pirating: fully agreed.

Don

[Member]

I thought after more than 12 years XYplorer will cease to offer the Lifetime License?

[sh4un]

Hi.. I also want to know WTF is up.. Why after more than 12 years the lifetime license is gone for more than a year, and now back the last few months?

Is it back for good? Or just when you see fit?

Allowing it back is one thing, but allowing it back at 50% off??? I'm not complaining, just askin', Perhaps a new thread "The ReBirth of the life time license" should be initiated to counter your opening posts?

sh4un

[admin]

I understand why you are asking. The answer is simple, but not obvious. So let me shortly explain:

The reason why I stopped it about one year ago was this (in a nutshell):

... But the Lifetime License was simply too good for its price, and the price was too high for those who didn't understand how good it was.

Some months ago I changed two relevant factors here:
1) I succeeded in rewriting the website in a way that the Standard License price is clearly shown is THE normal default price for this product. This is a very important change since it resolved the problem that the majority of software sites cited the Lifetime License price as "the price" without mentioning that it is for the Lifetime License (which is an extremely rare thing to be offered nowadays). The people were mislead into thinking that the normal license was far more expensive than it actually is. Actually this is one of the cheapest professional file managers on the market.
2) I simply made it more expensive: the price went up from US$ 59.95 to US$ 79.95.

With these changes the above quoted statement is not true anymore, and there is no reason anymore not to offer the Lifetime License (which is still very popular despite the increased price).

Don

[armsys]

Hi.. I also want to know WTF is up.. Why after more than 12 years the lifetime license is gone for more than a year, and now back the last few months?
Is it back for good? Or just when you see fit?
Allowing it back is one thing, but allowing it back at 50% off??? I'm not complaining, just askin',
sh4un

Hi Sh4un,
First I don't speak for Don.
I understand your anger toward Don.
Please try to understand Don's difficult situation.
Please face one brutal reality: There aren't sufficient numer of LICENSED XY users to cover Don's running cost.
That isn't fun for Don. Even for 50% discount, Don won't make much money.
Please support Don if you can.
Thank you for your kind understanding.

[admin]

Please face one brutal reality: There aren't sufficient numer of LICENSED XY users to cover Don's running cost.

Uhm, that's nice of you, but what makes you think so? It's not true. My running costs are easily covered by XY sales. Hey, this is one of the top file managers in the world!

[armsys]

...but what makes you think so? It's not true.

Based on number of users chatting on the forum. Besides, XY is most popularly hacked all over the world.

It's not true. My running costs are easily covered by XY sales. Hey, this is one of the top file managers in the world!

Every XY user loves to hear that. Congrats!

[admin]

As I said in another place in this forum: Most customers don't care to register in the forum. They just get on with their job and then go out play. Which is not a totally unsane way to go about things.