XYplorer ends Lifetime License

[rjbull]

With apologies if this has been mentioned before:

XYplorer: The End of the Lifetime License



It looks like this will happen in January 2013, so you have a few days left to run and get it.

XYplorer Buy Now (or forever regret it)

[rgdot]

If someone asks me I would say something not sustainable now wasn't sustainable 12 years ago either. Not my place to question it just saying not a fan of these kind of these decisions. No offense meant to anybody

[wraith808]

Markets change, and needs change.  The market is considerably different than it was 12 years ago, and the pool of potential buyers is different also.  That's just basic economics, I think.

[rgdot]

That angle would be plausible if/when you are making a pricing change, if you want to say there is not as big a market for lifetime licenses.

[wraith808]

Not saying that there's not as big a market, but if your revenues start depending on upgrades, then lifetime licenses wouldn't be sustainable.  that's my point...

[rgdot]

Not really different than what I am saying. Lifetime carries a risk that is not really dependent on 12 years ago or today. Lifetime is always a limiter of upgrades, 12 years ago or not.
For example if you want to account for economic conditions for how you license your software then be ready to ride out recessions when you see benefits in growth times.

Not trying to be argumentative , just presenting a viewpoint.

[barney]

There's a very loose usage of lifetime that consumers really cannot interpret:

• lifetime of the product
• lifetime of the purchaser
• lifetime of the company/corporation (the producer)
• lifetime of the software platform, e.g. the OS
• lifetime of the beach/coast where you bought your condo

and there's no clear definition of which applies when you make the purchase.  And, should the provider be purchased by another entity, that can all go out the door.  Happened to me with WinZip:  had a lifetime license from Nico Mak, but that was ignored when he was bought out by the current (?) vendors ... so I quit using it.

[Darwin]

Well, say what you like, but this is being handled in a courteous and professional manner. Holders of previously purchased lifetime licenses are being grandfathered and there's at least a 30 day heads up to everyone visiting the website, giving potential purchasers the option to buy lifetime licenses and be grandfathered. Contrast this with other developers who have changed licensing models with no announcement and no warning when "lifetime" licensees upgrade their software (Collectorz anyone? There are other examples but I no longer recall company names).

[TaoPhoenix]

There's a very loose usage of lifetime that consumers really cannot interpret:

• lifetime of the product
• lifetime of the purchaser
• lifetime of the company/corporation (the producer)
• lifetime of the software platform, e.g. the OS
• lifetime of the beach/coast where you bought your condo

and there's no clear definition of which applies when you make the purchase.  And, should the provider be purchased by another entity, that can all go out the door.  Happened to me with WinZip:  had a lifetime license from Nico Mak, but that was ignored when he was bought out by the current (?) vendors ... so I quit using it.

If anything I'd call it the lifetime of the company, since I'd think the license would be valid even if your product break. Such as if you somehow restored it, or maybe even bought a new copy, seems to me the license is usually legit. It could sink into oblivion, and become obsolete, but probably still valid. It's when the company croaks that cross-buyouts of IP begin to get silly when the new owner can decide not to honor the previous license.

[mouser]

Well, say what you like, but this is being handled in a courteous and professional manner. Holders of previously purchased lifetime licenses are being grandfathered and there's at least a 30 day heads up to everyone visiting the website, giving potential purchasers the option to buy lifetime licenses and be grandfathered.

You can't ask for anything more than that and nothing to complain about.

As long as a company does not take away the lifetime upgrade rights promised to people who purchased it originally, then there is nothing whatsoever for anyone to be upset about.  And giving a window for new people to jump on the bandwagon before the lifetime stuff changes is even nicer. 

[Renegade]

This is an issue that I've been thinking about for more than a few years. I've been planning to post a blog post about it, so I'll hold off on comment until then. I've been planning this blog post for a few years...

[40hz]

As long as they actually abide by their grandfather clause I don't see any problems with that.

Lifetime licensing (other than as a reward for early adopters) isn't a sustainable business model.

And most consumers (so far) don't like subscription arrangements when it comes to software.

So the only way to get cash flow is by selling upgrades which (hopefully) offer additional capabilities and value.

I personally think these folks did the right thing, put their cards on the table, and changed their model before it reached crisis level. Hopefully it will work out for them. Lets wish then well. They make a fine product.

[paulobrabo]

By the way, version 11.90 free today on Giveaway of the Day.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/

[jadinolf]

I'm glad I got XYplorer before the lifetime deal changed.

Great program!

[zridling]

It was one of my favorite Windows programs of all time. But that seems a lifetime and another OS ago! 

[mwb1100]

About 4 more days left:

The End of the Lifetime License

...

Beginning with the publication of XYplorer 12.00 (planned for January 28th, 2013)

[mitzevo]

Bumpty bump: Guess who's back in town! XYplorer lifetime license pro for only around $80, and currently has a deal for 50% off... http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/xyplorer-lifetime-license