Purchasing Apps and Donations

[KilrB]

Ok,

I have done a search throught the forum and I know there are several topics discussing this, but not all about what i want to ask, in one place

I would really like to continue running this service and would like to pay for it if that is required.

I am running Subsonic Service on my Windows Home Server Box. It seems to be working just fine.
I know that to use it past 30 days you should donate.
I also have several devices i want to enable connection to.
PC's are no problem, and as I understand it that you can always connect through a web browser for free, even if you dont donate.
I also have Android devices, iTouch and MacBooks that I would like to enable.

http://www.subsonic.org/pages/apps.jsp

So what quits working after 30 days?
Do i lose some functionality after 30 days?
Why would I lose my personal server address? If you can continue to use the site through a web browser for free wont you still need that address?
The website also states that if you donate you get unlimted use of iPhone and Android Apps. To me that reads that I get free access to iphone Apps for SubSonic even though they are 3rd party apps. Which i know is not the case.
The android app is free so paying (donating) for that makes sense. But if I pay for the iPhone app it wont work after 30 days?


In summary, I am not mad and I hope it doesnt appear that I am crapping on the developers. As a matter of fact I wouldnt be here posting this if i didnt like what they have developed!

I am confused a bit and it really boils down to these 2 questions.

1. What is the best iPhone app to buy? I read the reviews for all of them and frankly they all look like the developers them selves are the only ones who post saying thiers is the best and the other ones suck.

2. Should i save my money and just use it over PC and not even trouble myself with mobile devices. Or is there any advantages to donating (purchasing) for that purpose.

Really i just dont want to piss any money away. I am always suprise by now many people think that $5 here and $20 there is no big deal. It is to me, but I will offer it if I can get the right service!

Thanks for reading my rediculously long and wandering post!

[alphawave7]

This is the way I understand it: subsonic is free to try and to use, indefinitely, and is full featured for the first 30 days. After 30 days, the 'subsonic.org' address becomes inactive, requiring a work-around (eg. dyndns.org,etc.) to continue to use for free.
All mobile apps access the SS API, and require donation for continued use, much like the .org address, after 30 days. These 'apps' may be third-party, and have costs associated with them in addition to any donation to the Subsonic project.
Now for a quick suggestion: donate, especially if the SS program works for you and you get some value from it. I donated a long time ago, well before any mobile app existed, as it was the long-dreamt fulfillment (decades!) of having my music collection ubiquitously and 'instantly' available to me, not tied up on media or computers or even jukeboxen. If you've tried it for the trial period, and enjoy it's use, it deserves support for continued development, and Sindre (virtually the sole dev) has proven his commitment with many improved releases. Does that help?

[Exrace]

I am still testing Subsonic but from the first ten days of using it I am very impressed.
Having my 180+ gig library available to stream is worth the small donation.
There are still some bugs (periods in names) but so far I love the interface and it has reintroduced me to my music collection.

[GJ51]

I second Alphawave7's sentiment. If you are using this after 30 days, it's more than fair to make a donation. When you consider how generous Sindre is being by accepting just about any amount the user is willing to donate, I can't imagine anything, other than pure selfishness, that would allow anyone to continue using the program without making a donation.

Let's get this straight. A user can afford a computer to run the software, a monthly ISP bill to access the internet, and a cell phone with a monthly fee, but really balks at the thought of supporting SS with all it's functionality? Which of those just mentioned allowed you a 30 day trial and a voluntary donation to continue using?

I won't ever be without this app! My entire music collection, as well as a few others who've invited me to their sites, available for streaming from just about anywhere! In my car, I can just pop in my Android phone and pipe everything to the car sound system over bluetooth anywhere I get a cell signal!

For me, this is THE most incredible bargain on the internet today, bar none. I've got most of the kinks worked out for streaming video through SS, and even though I've already made the recommended donation, I'm gonna send another once I've got the video working consistently. My son and I develop windows home server addins, and we know how much work it takes to develop a product like this. Anyone who uses SS more than 30 days and doesn't make a donation, no matter how small, really has a lot of stones, not to mention a lack of conscience, to even ask a question on this forum.

As for iPhone apps, I don't have one, but I would certainly use the apps that are recommended, iSub or Z-Subsonic, that are linked on the SS website. I would think there is information about each on the app website that will help you decide which is best for you.

Just one man's opinion. Not meant to offend anyone, but meant to provoke some serious thought regarding donations. Anyone who uses SS really should thank the author with as much of a donation as they can reasonably afford.

[KilrB]

Thanks for replies. That's all good feedback and information.

Alphawave7.
That makes a lot of sense. I looked again and if that is the way it works i still couldn't find it anywhere on the website.

Extrace
I agree, it really seems like what i have been looking for. My 32GB seems pretty lame in comparison though

GJ51
I dont agree with your take "on spend a lot so spend some more" concept. But I sure agree with you on giving back.

I donate more than I expect most people to do developers like this. For example I really like to use Media Browser plug in for Window Media Center. Inside of that plug-in there are several other developers creating plug-ins for Media Browser. I have donated to a lot of them simply because of their dedication to updating and supporting of what maybe a school project or a hobby.

I don't necessarily agree with the way a Donation is (almost) being disguised as a Purchase. Its common place anymore. Likely because people just pony up much and that's too bad for the community that is being built here.

At the very least I hope they can accept the money without paying any taxes on it!

Today is the first day i have had this running. So far its running on a Window Mobile 6.1 Phone, Motorola Droid X, WinXP PC, Win7 PC and a Mac Book using Safari. My limited tests show that I can have all devices connected and listening to music at the same time without issue.

The only device so far that I haven't been able to use it on is my youngest daughters iPod Touch which cannot seem to play using Safari. Which is really what drove me here to ask questions regarding purchasing one App over the other. The device is not updated to the latest iOS4, but since the Steve Jobs hates Java I expect that wont make any difference.

Anymore input on which App Store app to favor over the other would be great!

Thanks!

[alphawave7]

Not to quibble, but the very first sentence on www.subsonic.org says:
"Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music"

and on the same page, the Donation frame says:
"Love Subsonic? Support continued development and maintenance by giving a donation.

Donors get access to premium features like:

Unlimited use of Subsonic apps for iPhone, Android and AIR.
Your personal server address: yourname.subsonic.org
No ads in the web interface.
The suggested donation amount is €20, but you can give any amount you like. €10, €15, €20, €25, €30"

...so I find it surprising folks keep saying 'it's hidden charges' or 'disguised as a purchase'...it's in plain view,afaict. Sindre could just as easily charge for the program, and I would indeed encourage him to do so, but he's committed to the gpl.

Can't help with the iTouch, as I've never touched one, and I've only touched a Mac once in my life.

[KilrB]

In the 9th sentance its says its free and in the 23rd sentance it says its free. Even reading to this point there is no mention of anything about a donation or that what was stated to be free would eventually be limited in anyway unless you pay.

Its not until the 31st line of total of 36 sentances on that page that there is any mention that its not free. And that is only to suggest that you donate. And as I read it, it actually suggests that you will get more by donating. But as we are disscussing here in this thread, it appears you only get to continue using what was said to be free.

The confusion that a lot of people have I am sure is that how many times its mentioned that its free. Which it can be under certain cercumstances.

By the number of posts on this forum to that point I dont understand why there is so much arguement to object to it.

[alphawave7]

In the 9th sentance its says its free and in the 23rd sentance it says its free. Even reading to this point there is no mention of anything about a donation or that what was stated to be free would eventually be limited in anyway unless you pay.

Its not until the 31st line of total of 36 sentances on that page that there is any mention that its not free. And that is only to suggest that you donate. And as I read it, it actually suggests that you will get more by donating. But as we are disscussing here in this thread, it appears you only get to continue using what was said to be free.

The confusion that a lot of people have I am sure is that how many times its mentioned that its free. Which it can be under certain cercumstances.

By the number of posts on this forum to that point I dont understand why there is so much arguement to object to it.

Because it's free software. Free software that has additional BENEFITS when one donates to the project. These benefits exist DUE to the donations given by those who enjoy using and supporting valuable software development.

[KilrB]

I feel like i am playing the devils advocate here

I don't disagree with your point.

To me a donation is something you do with absolutely nothing given back. I think that may actually be the definition of it as well. But in this screwed up world of politicians taking "donations" in back room deals I think the real meaning has been lost.

Since i received something for free and then have to pay for it I don't know what to call it? Lying?

If i continue to use this I fully intend on providing the returns that the developer is asking for. I just have a real hard time calling it a donation.

If someone wants to get the last word in on this they are welcome to it. I wont comment on that point any further. I don't want to turn this into a flame thread anymore than i have already done.

Sorry for that.

[alphawave7]

Not flaming..just a convo with different perspectives. You might find SS fills your needs (in time) better than any other proggy out there presently. Hard to discern in just a day, so wait out the trial period on the mobile apps, then decide. I donated before there were mobile apps, as I was looking for a way to hear my home collection at work, and at a friend's home (playing deejay like I was 20-something again!)...SS did it and did it very well, right off the bat...best donation for gpl'd software I've made. There are other alternatives worth a look...Grooveshark (limited collection size) and Audiogalaxy (stream only-so solid bandwidth needed the entire time)...GS used to be free, but I haven't tried it in a while...I think AG is still free, but they've gotta make $$ somehow, so free may be a limited-time offer. Enjoy whatever route you choose.

[sindre_mehus]

"Free software" doesn't necessarily mean "free of charge". Rather, it means that the source code is publicly available.

Unfortunately, "free" means two things in English. It can mean "free" as in "freedom of speech", or "free" as in "free beer".

That being said, I'll consider rephrasing the text on the web pages.

Cheers,
Sindre

[GJ51]

Sindre,

You don't need to explain. Anyone with any sense knows how much this app is worth to them. A true bargain. Anyone picking apart the semantics of someone, for whom English is most likely not his primary language, most likely isn't interested in donating anyway.

You've done a great job with this app and it deserves the support of anyone who uses it. Keep up the good work and focus on the program rather than placating the whinners.

I've sorted out the video and it is now fully functional, playing anything I throw at it, including mp4/h.264.

As promised in another thread, I'll be sending another donation; not because I have to, but because you have certainly earned it.

Thanks for all your hard work.