BTW If I was paid for the time I spent at my regular rate working on just the Mitsulogger v1 software, just the development portion of it, I would have to sell 500-1000 copies at $20 or so to be able to justify my full-time effort on a project.. If an individual paid me for the project, he'd be in the hole for about $20k.. I could never in good conscience sell a program like this for what its value actually was, I don't think its worth that to an end-user, not to mention I don't believe in "Good Enough" products being sold. They either do the job or they dont, but that doesnt make them a good value if you don't have a choice. By doing what I did, I gave people a choice.

 

Bolded the important point here . Just boils my blood whenever people actually expect high quality software to be given away completely for free. Sometimes I wonder if when people sit in front of a computer all common sense floats away .

I'll however take my lashes for missing the documentation on OpenECU .

 

Somehow I think I'm a rarity when it comes to seeing the true value of things. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sell future versions of my program, but at the moment, if I were looking to purchase a program like this, it does not meet my criteria of what would be "worthwhile to buy"

The new framework I'm working on, is specifically designed to be modularized, the framework and basic logging are already working, and each plugin can be used to tailor it to someones needs. As plugins for different devices becomes available, then I might see some value in selling some of the plugins.. And although the program itself isn't open-source, the nature of how it works is intended for others to be able to contribute their own efforts, without starting from scratch to "Reinvent the wheel" every time a new logger needs to be created.

So what does this mean for everyon? Well, realy, not much, we are using technology, software, and hardware that is still in its infancy compared to other cars. The fact that some of us love to make contributions to a community are what drive this stuff. But there obviously aren't enough of us out there. Sure, we really don't need 8 different loggers, but if there are 8, you have to hope that each has something unique to offer that someone will find appealing.

What I do find interesting is with a few exceptions, a majority of the people who are contributing new parts and innovation are doing it to make money, and only make money. A true enthusiast isn't really interested in that (though some people, Like Dave Buschur, are true enthusiasts who are also making money doing it)

For me, my innovation is driven by a lack of quality in other things I see, from tools, to software, to parts, and custom made components. If I cannot find something that satisfies my qualifications, then I create it myself. Just as any true car enthusiast would..

True enthusiasts also share their innovations, its not just about doing stuff and bragging about it, and then not telling anyone how its done, but half of the pleasure of the experience is sharing it with others. I have a peeve with people who "keep secrets" just to keep them out of the hands of others. And if anyone hasn't noticed by now, I usually look at those things first to see how it was done, and make sure everyone can do it if they want to.

 

From a purely financial standpoint on the "free" software (as in free beer), it doesn't make sense to me for peeps to buy a car for $30k plus (new, $20k used) and then want to mod it voiding any warranty, spending thousands on turbos, motors, etc, then complain about paying $30 for a software that can help ensure the saftey of your "investment" (term used VERY loosely).

Who are these people? I will tell you, they are the people that have never donated to anyone that has produced and distributed a "free" software. Having roots in pgmfi.org i get agitated at these people.

$30 for a software that does ANYTHING is a good deal if you knew what actually goes into producing it, testing it, and making it work even half the time.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I happen to totally agree with you.. But people are too conditioned to either get everything for nothing, or a polished turd with a bow on it, that they feel they get stuck one way or the other..

As I've said before, I'm somewhat unique in that I contribute stuff, with no expectation of any return.. Everything I do, is for Myself, my own pleasure or convenience, the fact that it helps others just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.. I'm certainly not as altruistic as people seem to think I am.. Just motivated.

 

MalibuJack, you are one of the few, and we appreciate it.