Gary brings an interesting point to the table: "What's wrong with your current 2.661 version of Movable Type that would make you migrate to another piece of software?"
My answer is absolutely nothing. The version I'm running, 2.64, is working perfectly, no dings nor scratches, all fine and dandy. And yes, I have 2.661. So, obviously, I'm in no need to be upgrading, not until I see a need for any of the "new features" -which honestly don't quite do it for me- and that's OK. All the plugins I've installed are running fine, and I'm quite content with my CMS.
Why does it bug me? Well, it's the support factor that gets to me. I actually share Rob's thoughts on this issue when he wrote: "If everyone in the MT forums is talking about MT3 issues then an MT2.6 user is not going to get much attention."
I love MT. I love MT's extensibility, it's a great system that becomes even greater thanks to all the plugins created by a wonderful community, a community that is sadly being torn apart, the way I see it. Instead of a community I see an exodus, and those who aren't leaving, are certainly being alienated from each other. And it didn't start now... it began at the beta testing launch. Heck, event before that. When I started searching for a CMS that would suit my needs, I remember wondering why a wonderful system such as this one was free. Still, it's kinda funny (not in a ha-ha way) how many beta testers say they didn't see this coming. Will any of them go back to a previous version? I'm glad I thought twice about beta testing.
"The next version of Movable Type will be version 3.0, a significant and free upgrade." This is why many are peeved. Understandable.
I'm very willing to pay for the new version once it becomes the version that suits my needs, but not everyone can put forth the monies right away, or are willing to, and I respect that. Those who can't, are they to downgrade [their sites] and/or stay with their current version in order not to violate the honor system that Six Apart extends with their free version's license?
With my current version of MT, I run this blog, a freewriting journal, my child's blog, a photo blog/gallery. I've also been working on 3 other blogs that are currently under development. So, I stand at 2 authors, and a total of 7 blogs. Come Fall, one of those would hopefully become commercial, might have an added 2 authors. This fit perfectly within the planned budget. We are talking additional domains and space -- but now I have to recalculate, because commercial license isn't $150 anymore.
I wouldn't be able to run all of the above with MT3 upgrade without violating the new licensing. I wouldn't even be able to legally maintain the setup I currently have. For that I'd need Personal Edition Volume License, which is $119.95, Introductory Price; yup, nice price if I act now.
I shouldn't forget the $199.95 for the Commercial License, 5 authors, 5 blogs max, Introductory Price as well.
Seems I have more than redesign work to worry about in my future.
Yipee.
"New versions, and upgrades are supposed to bring more features, not less", true, and in my opinion, certainly not the kind of restrictions they've put forth with a price tag to top it all off. MT is worth paying for, and yes, this was going to happen. I agree with Kotte's thinking [note last 3 paragraphs]. Perhaps the pricing / restrictions structure for personal users could use rethinking.
Who knows if I'll change, everything changes. Perhaps I outgrow what MT offers, or maybe I find another CMS that better suits my needs. Other blogging friends of mine have. Good for them. What drives me to their sites is content, not what CMS they use.
In the end, I agree with Dave and Adam:
Dave said: "6A has every right to charge and make money. They also need to accept the criticism and exodus of those who don’t wish to be tossed aside after years of being the only reason that 6A was even able to get to a point where they COULD charge."
Adam said: "they're free to charge what they want, and we're free to look at other platforms ..."
By support, you should also lump in security issues. What happens when some exploit is found in the 2.6* series in 6 months? Or when it breaks when your host upgrades their software?
I'm not some kind of "power-user" (although I was moving in that direction) of MT, and my 2.62 version is working fine for me right now, but the pricing structure they are proposing seems way out of whack to me. I was on the verge of adding a second and third blog and another user, but was waiting for 3.0. Now that will cost me more money than it's worth for a site that takes in no income.
I hope they reconsider in the face of all the protest.
I moved to WordPress a few months ago, and it was the best thing that happened to my blog. I wrote a How To move from Movable Type to WordPress over at my blog, which might be of interest to you.
WordPress lets me do everything MT did, and the support and user community positively rock!
I was just glancing over at WP and another one I think was called Drupal (obviously it didn't make much of an impression). I have three blogs and only one author, but my 2.6* is working for me. Why upgrade if I don't need to? If security becomes an issue and us lowly non-3.0 users get shafted, I might consider switching to WP. Until then, I'm not worried about it. Annoyed at the pricing, perhaps, but not worried enough to change yet.
I think the best answer to "why switch when MT2.6 is just fine?" is "I want the software I'm using to grow and change." We don't really have that opportunity if we stick with MT2.6. So I moved to WordPad this morning.
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference That MovableType thing, sure, I see your point...:
» Further Movable Type intrigues from Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered
We're big on honor at Six Apart. We haven't built in any nagware for license violations or phone home mechanisms. We trust our users' good judgment and intentions. We intend to use our good judgment in being flexible about... [Read More]
Tracked on May 15, 2004 4:25 PM