... cause they're already bad, right? Yup, I've seen it happen. Geez...
It started following this post, as one cool, calm, and collected guy extended a kind word and a fresh perspective to those of us who may have mixed feelings with 6A's news and update regarding MT. He didn't have to, but it was nice of him. It was like a breath of fresh air for me, amidst all the thoughts and opinions out there. Thanks to that post and a few others, I have a better understanding now, and that is very appreciated.
At first, it was kind of amusing, different points of view by so many different people from all over the world, gathering in lil' bunches here and there to amicably discuss the one thing they all had in common: MovableType users and their thoughts on the new developments and how/if it would affect them. Most interesting indeed.
But the amusement of it all quickly dissipated as this troll went on a romp, stomping around, hissing and dissing without really making a fair point at all. And how disrespectful! What a sad, sad soul -and the lengths he'll go to in order to get some attention. Tsk, tsk, tsk...
You can read Jay's update on what the hell went on in such few hours -hopefully it's all behind him, and us as well.
Moving on, as all things should, IT Conversations' producer Doug Kaye interviewed Ben and Mena; I believe that, as users, we should all read or listen to this interview.
I'm glad I listened to it. When you're done, I'd like to know what you think. Post a comment here or trackback this post so I can follow your thoughts. :o)
I think that if Ben and Mena had been engaged in conversation WITH their users during the last 6 months, they could have avoided this whole thing. Instead, it feels like they were hanging out with Venture Capitalists and blowhards with MBA's resulting in the worst ever communication to a devoted fan base. They got too far removed from their users.
Mena was obviously right when she said that the release of 3.0 would not be a non-event. It might have even cushioned the blow a bit if they had waited until this interview was out before announcing the new license.
But I think that whole $.38 thing was silly. I downloaded copies more than once for various experiments that didn't amount to anything and are certainly not in use now. If they had said they were going to hold that against us some day, I probably would have downloaded less.
From everything I've ever read about the Trott's they have always seemed like nice people. This interview simply reinforces that impression. They are very nice people, not some heartless corporate monstrosity.
Should software developers be paid for their work? Absolutely! I don't know of anyone who has said they want the program for free, something we've already enjoyed (aside from donations) for a couple of years.
Most of my unhappiness was the lack of communication and the pricing structure that was announced without some consensus gathering from the users. MT is a wonderful tool for content management on the web. I'd be happy to pay for this fantastic program, just not as much as they're proposing.
I'll just be sticking with my 2.6x version until I feel it necessary to either update to 3.0 (or whatever version follows it if I can wait that long) or move to another program. That, or break their "honor system" and add authors without paying the increased cost.
justaperson - perhaps. conversations WITH users MAY have avoided the whole backlash. I believe it would have at least provided an easier, more accepted transition.
Michael - I'm glad I'm not the only one that found the $.38 bit ridiculous, unnecessary even. In hindsight, many things look that way.
Masked Blogger - I agree, they are nice people, and they offer a wonderful product. This interview let me appreciate that better. Lack of communication, yes, I definitely think so. Things would've gone much smoother otherwise, but hey, I've been known to make such a mistake as well; the difference is the amount of people it affected, in a positive and/or negative way.
One thing I did pick up is how passionate they are about their program and their business, just as much as we have been the entire time we've been using their product. Food for thought, IMHO.