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A word about LEDBlinky…

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headkaze:

--- Quote from: RandyT on May 12, 2010, 01:02:49 pm ---No, it's because it's better for their bottom line.  I realize this, and so should you.  But as a hardware producer, everything is tangible and has real cost associated with it.  One has to be careful unless the profit margins are so high, as they apparently are with other vendors, to put those resources where they will do the most good.
--- End quote ---

Just because software isn't tangible doesn't mean my time isn't worth anything.


--- Quote from: RandyT on May 12, 2010, 01:02:49 pm ---As for MikeQ, I think his main issue was having his graciously donated work being used as part of a "product" that he receives no compensation for.  The fundamental difference is that the LED-Wiz, with the tools we provide, is fully functional and will continue to exist and have value outside the availability of a third party DLL or application.  The same cannot be said of a piece of software that essentially does nothing, or is severely crippled, when a third party DLL is no longer present.  Perhaps Arzoo should offer MikeQ a portion of whatever proceeds he derives through his use of it, as is commonly done for any 3rd party programming libraries one wishes to incorporate into a commercial product.  This is the gist of what I read in this thread.
--- End quote ---

So you think Arzoo should pay me and MikeQ for using our free components? I don't really agree with that. If I wanted to get compensated it would be free for non-commercial use. The reason it isn't is because Andy paid me to make it free. It's not the components he's selling it's his software. Just as your hardware is useless without a driver, a driver is useless without software to do something with it. I don't think MikeQ's point is Arzoo should be compensating him, read what he has been saying, he's saying hardware vendors should. If you did LEDBlinky would still be freeware.

Beretta:
it obvious i lack a lot of the history being discussed here.
however i will say this, from what i can tell randy is offering the cheapest solution with the ledwiz.
its' always nice for hardware venders to either have a ready product or to support those who are developing.

however there has been the history that when there is a need someone usually fills it.. necessity is the mother of all invention.
rather or not a programmer decides to share their invention is up to them.
however no one should expect they'll write something and get money, Unless that is the motivation to start with.

if someone volunteers to write something they shouldn't get cranky when they dont get paid or supported with free stuff to help their efforts.

i also believe randy when he says he busts his hump and does'nt get rich off of it, with that said i believe those unhappy with the past should follow this rule:

never release anything to the community or do any work without getting paid.
further more never undertake something thats going to COST you money unless you're going to make a profit.

but people will not follow such a rule, they'll continue in the future to fill gaps, not get paid or free support, then cry when neither happens.

bottom line if you want paid get it in writing, else wise consider it a project for your self and keep the fruit hidden.

headkaze:
Beretta: I think you misundertand the point here. Arzoo clearly started LEDBlinky with the intention of making a free software solution for arcade cabinets. But this software is clearly selling hardware, not only for the manufacturers of products like the LEDWiz, but for commercial arcade cabinets with luminated buttons. Arzoo has spent a long time developing LEDBlinky and it is used by alot of people. LEDBlinky sells hardware, that is the bottom line. And Arzoo is not trying to twist Randy's arm to pay him for it which is why he has made it shareware. What I'm saying is that they should compensate because it makes sense and it's the right thing to do. Andy may have compensated me but I doubt he would have the same value hiring a programmer to do the same thing. So we don't really ask for much, free hardware goes a long way, and sometimes paying someone out of good will is definately a nice jesture (and we certainly give value for money in the long run). Andy did not have any obligation to do it, but I asked him and it made sense to him. Also you don't seem to get the time involved in writing software. We do it because we love it, but it is very time consuming and I don't see why someone shouldn't get a little back for it. Even just to buy their poor wives some shoes! LOL

RandyT:

--- Quote from: headkaze on May 12, 2010, 01:16:26 pm ---Just because software isn't tangible doesn't mean my time isn't worth anything.

--- End quote ---

No, but it's only an apt comparison if the time you spend is a day you didn't go to work and won't be payed for.


--- Quote ---So you think Arzoo should pay me and MikeQ for using our free components? I don't really agree with that. If I wanted to get compensated it would be free for non-commercial use. The reason it isn't is because Andy paid me to make it free.

--- End quote ---

Then I guess it's really not "your" DLL anymore if your were paid to make it free.  But I understand what you are saying.  Again, you are advocating a price increase for my products that a lot of folks here probably won't be happy with you for.


--- Quote ---It's not the components he's selling it's his software. Just as your hardware is useless without a driver, a driver is useless without software to do something with it. I don't think MikeQ's point is Arzoo should be compensating him, read what he has been saying, he's saying hardware vendors should. If you did LEDBlinky would still be freeware.

--- End quote ---

The hardware has "a driver" that we supply (at no charge), which still works perfectly with the latest version of Windows.  If the DLL's didn't exist 4 years ago, I would have changed that situation by now as well.  As for what MikeQ said, I re-iterated it almost verbatim.  As for LEDBlinky still being freeware if I compensated MikeQ or Youki, I'm having difficulty grokking the connection.  If you are saying that I should be charging everyone $20 more per unit so I can include a copy of LEDBlinky, then I am having difficulty taking you seriously.

RandyT

Hoopz:
As an owner of an Led-Wiz for 3+ years, I can say that the basic functionality of it is nothing compared to what the 3rd party vendors made available.  It took awhile for that to happen and I'm glad it did.  The hardware is nice, but the software makes it very cool.

The bottom line for me is that the added functionality is more than worth the $20 to Arzoo.  Would I pay $20 more for the hardware?  Yes, but only if it had the increased functionality that it comes with now.  At best, what it would do when I first got it is/was rudimentary then compared to now.  

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