Looks like everyone's 'fixation' with the definition of donation will finally get resolved. Phew! The good ole days are now gone, a fixed toll has been established, and folks are already ringing the 'funeral toll'.. predictable.
Free cupcakes were great-yes. He served us great cupcakes for free, requesting a donation was typical of well-intentioned responsibility...value-for-value...if you use and enjoy it, support it. Alas, frosting came along..we could now stream to our mobiles! Brilliance! Frosting costs more money (sugar and lard aren't cheap, like flour and baking powder), and once you go cupcake with frosting, you can't go back. Despite these realities, many feel entitled to free (as in anything) software ('I'm not paying until feature xyz (sprinkles) are added!!!' ), but those that feel this way aren't living in reality. Creating and maintaining anything worthwhile indeed has value, and those enjoying the cupcakes (I indulge every day) should respond in kind. There are other bakers in town, but if they are free, you might be the product...and you may be just fine with that. I've had other cupcakes, but I prefer these.
And thus the beauty of a free marketplace where we all have choices and can vote by choosing where we are going to spend our $$$.
When I first decided to use Subsonic it represented a great value in the marketplace with functionality that I could not find anywhere else at any price. My goal was to be able to access all my entertainment media from outside my network when not at home. Subsonic was the best way to do that back then.
Today my network has evolved and newer technologies are emerging that allow me to achieve the same goals without being dependent on Subsonic. It is still a wonderful part of my setup, but no longer the compelling service that it was just a few short years ago. It's just a remarkable example of how fast tech changes. I forget what I paid for my first HP ex485 brand new but I think it was around $600 for a single core Celeron, a gig of memory and a 750GB hard drive.
Today I'm about ready to pull the trigger on ebay for a Dell C6100 4 node server that has dual quad core Xeons in each node (32 cores), 96GB ram and 12 drive bays for $800. I don't think anyone would pay me too much for my trusty old ex485 any more as it has clearly seen the bulk of its useful life. Of course, there are always the ignorant shoppers who can be taken advantage of, but I don't go there. I'll just let the old ex485 spin until it can't spin no more.
And so too, Subsonic has been a wonderful tech learning experience that has forced me to learn many new things. A great value at its time. But now that I'm bumping my internet speed to Fios Quantum 150/65 and setting up direct access over ipv6, the need for Subsonic is no longer as crucial as it once was. Like my good old ex485, I won't just abandon it, but I'm doubtful I'll be stepping up to the plate when it gets passed through the pews next time. I made another donation last week simply as a courtesy thank you for all the fun the project has been for me and my family and friends. I have no sense of remorse or guilt regarding the past terms of use as they were presented by Sindre. He's the developer and he has every right to determine what he feels his efforts are worth in the marketplace. I have abided by his terms and then some over the past few years making several voluntary donations in support of his efforts.
There is no doubt however, that the recent introduction of the last iteration of the Android app was poorly done from the standpoint of changing the terms of service without giving the user base a proper heads up. It would be a shame if the same process were to happen with the server product as I doubt that many would be very happy about it if done the same way. Not a terrible problem for me as I have already been moving to alternate solutions, but I'm sure that Subsonic has a long way to go if properly presented.
Finally, I must express some disappointment with the rate of feature integration into Subsonic. It was a bit shocking to see new modders get involved and integrate features that the community had been asking for in a matter of DAYS when they had been ignored for YEARS by Sindre.
Don't misunderstand. I'm very grateful for Subsonic and all the fun it has been, but there is certainly a lot of room for improvement. When it was the best option available, I promoted it whenever and wherever I could in an effort to support it's continued development. I'm still a fan, but there are now alternatives that are equally compelling and cost effective.
I wish Subsonic nothing but the best and continued success, but it will have to be earned on its merits as all things in a free market must in order to survive.
