Author Topic: Faststone Image Capture now Shareware (Read 40,851 times)

cthorpe · « **on:** May 14, 2007, 11:09 PM »

Cybernet News is reporting that FastStone Screen Capture is no longer free for personal use. Alas, it's true, as seen here:

(from http://faststone.org/order.htm)

Oops, cut off the bottom line. It states that lifetime license is good for all future versions.

Here's hoping that Screenshot Captor gets the notice it deserves now!

mouser · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2007, 11:35 PM »

Just a note to say that Screenshot Captor (link) continues to be updated and developed, and remains free, due in large part because you guys+gals have been generous enough to donate to support the project.

You've made it possible to keep spending the time time working on it and improving it, and the beta testing reports and feature ideas have helped enormously.

I think if you look at the features in snag it and faststone, i think you'll find ideas borrowed screenshot captor, and i'm committed to continuing to develop screenshot captor to make it one of the best screenshot taking tools out there, free or commercial.

With your support we can keep all the software on this site free/donationware.

mouser · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2007, 11:38 PM »

Another note:
Screenshot Captor takes a back seat to no program, but FastStone Capture is quite good, and so is SnagIt -- both worth checking out. But this is a good lesson about why it can be in your our own interest to support freeware authors who ask for donations.. if not, sometimes the need to pay rent makes authors go from freeware to payware..

mouser · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2007, 11:43 PM »

For a limited time only DC is running a special promotion!
If you are the user of a formerly free program that has now gone shareware, you are entitled to 50% off our normal donation amount of any amount you want.

To redeem this special offer:

Go to our donation page.
Close your eyes and imagine how much you would normally donate.
Now bring up an imaginary calculator.exe program and divide that number in half.
Now type that number into the donate box.
Now say in your mind (I am taking advantage of the 50% DonationCoder freeware-to-shareware migration offer).
Now procede with the donation.
Now get out a pen and paper and write a letter to santa claus or buddah explaining that you took advantage of the special discount offer and asking for a certificate of authentification (without certificate your license is invalid in france and ukraine).

cthorpe · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2007, 11:56 PM »

Oh man! And I already donated 100%.

lanux128 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2007, 03:06 AM »

hmm.. i wonder what has been upgraded to justify the shareware tag?

[attachthumb=#]

Nighted · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2007, 03:39 AM »

He has labeled it as shareware before only to revert it back to "free for personal use" within hours of the initial release. Maybe it's a mistake. *edit: ok, I looked at the site, looks like it's serious this time (who knows).

Anyway, it doesn't matter. No one actually uses anything other than Screenshot Captor, so it's basically moot.

cthorpe · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2007, 04:44 AM »

But FastStone has a Scree Magnifier!

I don't even know what a Scree is, but I want to magnify one!

lanux128 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2007, 05:14 AM »

Quote from: cthorpe on May 15, 2007, 04:44 AM

I don't even know what a Scree is, but I want to magnify one!

app103 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2007, 05:21 AM »

Quote from: cthorpe on May 15, 2007, 04:44 AM

I don't even know what a Scree is, but I want to magnify one!

Here yah go...just click to magnify:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scree

justice · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:17 AM »

You can still download 5.3 from mirrors!

Brave move. It’s a good program for sure. Although I think it’s not fair to compare it to its previous freeware versions (but understandable), it is competing against itself!

Also I wonder behind the rationale not to make a seperate “pro” version and keep the current version free bugfixes / compatibility.

People don’t like things taken away from them unfortunately, the psychological effect of freeware -> shareware I would think is worse than release a “plus” version even though it’s basically the same thing.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:25 AM »

Quote from: app103 on May 15, 2007, 05:21 AM

Quote from: cthorpe on May 15, 2007, 04:44 AM
I don't even know what a Scree is, but I want to magnify one!

Here yah go...just click to magnify:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scree

LOL - but that ain't scree by any definition I know - that is a a rockfall or boulder field. Scree is something you can run down in some sort of precarious control (but can't easily stop!)

Quote from: justice on May 15, 2007, 08:17 AM

You can still download 5.3 from mirrors!

Not any more - it has been pulled.

Interesting that only Capture is listed to buy on the website - the rest is still freeware.

justice · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:28 AM »

It is working from the link in Cybernet news report if you want to, but actually I don't think I should link to it and respect the author's wish to go shareware -- they have removed the link from their own site.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:34 AM »

That's only because the author of the article has mirrored the file - which probably brakes all sorts of licensing rules. As far as I can tell FastStone always hosted their own files and didn't use mirrors precisely to keep control of what was available. Naive maybe but that was their intention apparently.

lanux128 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:36 AM »

Quote from: justice on May 15, 2007, 08:17 AM

You can still download 5.3 from mirrors!

to paraphrase Nighted, just stick to Screenshot Captor. at least that way, you don't have to worry about get the last free versions..

but basically i believe in the author's right in designating the program's status - freeware or otherwise..

justice · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2007, 09:05 AM »

Mouser makes more than one of my favourite programs + I

this place so I will give Screenshot Captor another try!

dhuser · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2007, 01:33 PM »

I just found out yesterday. I re-downloaded the freeware version at Download.com. I do not see many enchancements (for me, at least) over the previous version.

If you are still looking for the freeware version, search CNET's Download.com for FastStone Capture, and see where it shows license: it should say Free. Edit- link: http://www.download.com/FastStone-Capture/3000-2192_4-10645361.html?tag=lst-0-1

Of course, I will usually use Screenshot Captor

dhuser

(Edit made- Latest freeware version link: http://www.download.com/FastStone-Capture/3000-2192_4-10645361.html?tag=lst-0-1)

Curt · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2007, 06:24 PM »

I am certain Screenshot Captor is a fine (and free) program, maybe The Finest. But that is not always enough, is it. FastStone Capture is easier to figure out how to use (and this without an IT-English dictionary), and has this brilliant integration with the Image Viewer - which is also an image editor. This gives a very fast result. I am really glad I installed FastStone only the day before it became shareware!

[attachimg=#]

Lashiec · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:03 AM »

CRAP! I was using this program instead of this Screenshot Captor thing you rave about

. Three options now: buy, keep the old version, or look for another alternative.

I find curious that he didn't make Image Viewer shareware.

mrainey · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:27 AM »

I donated to FastStone a couple of times, because my wife and I were making heavy use of their programs. Both times, the developer sent a warm note of thanks. The second time he sent a complimentary license for Image Viewer (already freeware, but what the heck).

I think it's likely that not enough people were chipping in for what are some very nice programs. A man has to eat.

Curt · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2007, 01:51 PM »

Quote from: mrainey on May 16, 2007, 11:27 AM

I think it's likely that not enough people were chipping in for what are some very nice programs. A man has to eat.

You are of course right, but why go from 0 to 30 ? Now people will stop using his app. Wouldn't it be more in the original freeware spirit to let the price be say $5?

1.000 x 30 = 30.000
1.000.000 x 5 = 5.000.000

justice · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2007, 03:01 PM »

I wonder how many people would stop using the app when it goes from $0 to $1. (the fact of paying for an app and the 'cubersome' proces of doing so). That's why donationcoder does it right. You don't mind going through the cubersome process once if you can then pay multiple times. Maybe mouser should licence the micropayment system!

Curt · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2007, 03:09 PM »

- except that companies like PayPal minimum charges $2 for the transaction

dk70 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2007, 06:45 PM »

Image Viewer has been tested as Pro/Shareware but they went back to free. Dont remember if they kept a free version and only added "extra" features to Pro but same thing. Probably a bigger concern than the capture thingy, main functionality covered in Image Viewer already - or else where.

Matter of habits Curt, anyone can handle Screenshot Captor. Know what you mean though...

TucknDar · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2007, 07:09 PM »

I must admit I've never been a heavy user of any screenshot application. Usually I've just pressed PrtScr or Alt+PrtScr and been happy with that. But now that I've gotten into the habit of using Screenshot Captor, I couldn't possibly imagine any app being better at this than what mouser has produced

But out of curiosity I'd like to know what features Faststone or any other similar app has that makes some of you prefer it over SC?