DSLogRedux, Win7, 64bit, 3 RPM Ranges....

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

In case folks are wondering, yes, I am aware of recent changes to the CROMs, eventhough, for some reason, I can't move from 8r10 to the latest 9x versions and push tunes to the 7194, at least until MIKE FIGURES IT OUT AND ANSWERS MY THREAD HERE.... lol

I also know that Win7 is on the horizon, and that many many more folks will find themselves on 64bit platforms as the technology curve squeezes its way upward.

Just to let you folks know:

1) Yes, I have a functioning beta for both XP64, Vista64 and Win7x64. The package works flawlessly on all 3 platforms, and I have tested it extensively on all 3 platforms. Of course, their 32bit cousins are working well also.

2) Yes, the new beta includes the 3 rpm range data reduction that is creeping its way into all of the tools for WOT PE adjustments.

Now the dilmma:

Costs of web hosting and development are real. Some have donated, and I appreciate those of you more than you can imagine, and I publicly thank you here. If you have donated, you will always have access to the latest and greatest.

I am, thus far, undecided as to how I am going to proceed wrt, at least, breaking even so the software can support itself in terms of cost and web hosting, etc..

It was never, and is not now, my intention to "make money" with this. Up until now, folks that donate, and those that choose not to, have access to an unlimited and fully functional program. I am looking into every corner to continue this way.

But, costs of hosting and the time invested in this project make this a difficult issue to digest.

I will be wrapping up and finishing the latest version(s) soon. At that time, I will make a decision on what to do.

According to (unreliable) web site stats, well over 1000 downloads (conservative) have ocurred. Since inception of this software, 30 +/- donations have been received overthe last 2 years, or so. This barely covers web hosting and other overhead.

I wrote this package to help folks and make things easier. I would like to continue to offer this package free. But, I don't want to go in the hole either.

I would be interested in any opinions you folks have, as YOU are the ones using it.

Though not an ideal solution in my mind, I do have license encrytion add-ons available to me, and can easily force encrypted licensing. I don't think this is an ideal solution. I prefer to make this avilable to all as I have done before.

[Poetique]

Mmm... Restricting it to site members could cut some costs. Restricting it to active site members could even further restrict costs. Then again you could kill the separate website (or get DiabloSport to help ya out... quite frankly, alot of people would probably have next to nothing "extra" tuned on their vehicles if it weren't for your tool, or they'd have improperly tuned vehicles and DiabloSport would be quite busy trying to clean up the mess from poor attempts) and just keep a thread here with various links to download it and/or torrent the tool.

I like playing with numbers I can comprehend (just don't throw me any friggin calculus! lol)

What specifics are costing the most? And what are they costing?

I might have some ideas...

Moving from direct downloads to torrent-based downloads is a popular way of cutting costs from file hosting if that's a big part of it. And I'm sure you'd have all the seeding support you need from around here to keep it going that way.

[Solid]

Hey grumpy!

What about make the restrictions about the tabs? or restricons about the rpm range? so that when you don't pay its a bit harder to keep it in that range 1800 1900 and when you pay its from 1800 2300 like that? Or is it possible to get some sponsers? Or make it a bit usable like its running only first couple of seconds of the log? so that the average is differant than the complete log?

Something it that way?

You could also use something like Usenet? don't know if you guys have that in the states but thats workble here.

About the web hosting you could cut those costst by just making an sticky in the topic ( with aprovel offcourse) with a direct link to an ftp download link or something?

[06MonteSS]

yeah, but it's tough not actually having our site for our DSLogRedux... cuz we have so much information available about it on there, with links to multiple resources and files.

it doesn't really make sense to eliminate our site for it...

[Solid]

okay i do understand that...

I'm kinda new to all this with donating and stuff But what are the costst if somebody sends you money? how much goes to Paypal fo rinstance?

[06MonteSS]

if you go to our dslogredux site, on the download page, there's a button to "Donate" via paypal... it's a $25 donation... just click the button and it will take ya to the paypal form...

http://dslogredux.com/download.html

[Solid]

yeah i meant it more like this. If paypal takes 5 buck of that donation so you guys have 20 bucks then make it just 6 bucks and evrybody has to pay before they get an download link or activation code?

almost everybody will pay 6 bukcs maybe it can be even less. that means for evey 1000 download you get 1000 dollar. that should cover it a bit right?

[Poetique]

yeah, but it's tough not actually having our site for our DSLogRedux... cuz we have so much information available about it on there, with links to multiple resources and files.

it doesn't really make sense to eliminate our site for it...

Meh... well obviously having a site is better, but when you're looking at cutting costs you've really gotta consider everything. Hell try to get DiabloSport to give yall a sub-forum on here and use it as a website...

The thing about this kind of software is that while you could go to a pay model, you could actually end up with less revenue than you already have.

You have to assume a worst case scenario that 3/4ths of currents users aren't going to buy it, at all (in fact you might want to say 4/5ths in this economy...). For the remaining few with interest, their interest is gauged heavily by the asking amount of the product, and what sort of guarantees it brings.

First of all, you more than likely wouldn't be able to get away with charging more than $5-10.

That $5-10 isn't going to cover hosting costs very long, but charging per-release probably isn't going to happen. So even if that entire 20% remaining buys it (which will probably be more like 10%, probably strictly forum users lol) your hosting costs won't be covered for long either.

Not to mention you're going to have to put up some contact numbers when you get people involved with paying for a product. And you probably don't want a bunch of rampant customers ringing your cell phone all day. Don't know how you could best handle that situation... At the very least you'd still need a sub-forum on here, because paying for hosting of your own forum is counter-productive.

[2005LT]

Donation sent Grumpy. The program made adjusting my LTFTs a breeze and I'm sure it has helped many others out there too.

I'm not sure what to suggest about the whole website/cost thing. Definitely not an expert in the field. Hopefully you can reach some resolution.

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

Thank you for all of the replies and suggestions.

Actually, I do like the idea of a seperate forum area here for the app. Of course, that is not my call, as I am not officially affiliated with DS. On the other hand, a dedicated web site DOES have its advantages.

I am just an enthusiast like all of you that thought an app would be beneficial. I am also looking at seeing if I can't find a web provider that is a little more cost effective. Seems like the cost of hosting is getting cheaper. I like the current hosting provider, but it seems like they are a LITTLE higher than offerings that appear to be out there now, keeping in mind that they take a yearly fee, and it was last updated in December of last year..

Other thing I have to keep in mind, the traffic due to downloads is high, so the "cheap" hosts are not always practical, as they limit bandwidth and server space severely in some circumstances---kinda like some of the bait-and-switch cell phone messaging/internet plans.... UNLIMITED (as long as you limit yourself to 5Mb in packets, upon which they charge by the packet) LOL.

[Poetique]

Thank you for all of the replies and suggestions.

Actually, I do like the idea of a seperate forum area here for the app. Of course, that is not my call, as I am not officially affiliated with DS. On the other hand, a dedicated web site DOES have its advantages.

I am just an enthusiast like all of you that thought an app would be beneficial. I am also looking at seeing if I can't find a web provider that is a little more cost effective. Seems like the cost of hosting is getting cheaper. I like the current hosting provider, but it seems like they are a LITTLE higher than offerings that appear to be out there now, keeping in mind that they take a yearly fee, and it was last updated in December of last year..

Other thing I have to keep in mind, the traffic due to downloads is high, so the "cheap" hosts are not always practical, as they limit bandwidth and server space severely in some circumstances---kinda like some of the bait-and-switch cell phone messaging/internet plans.... UNLIMITED (as long as you limit yourself to 5Mb in packets, upon which they charge by the packet) LOL.

If downloads is generating a sizable portion of traffic you might definitely want to move to a torrenting setup distribution. It's free, and all you need is seeders. Like I said, I think you could get all the seeder support you need from here.

[Grumpy_Aero_Guy]

never thought about torrenting. I must admit, I know what it is, but do not have a great familiarity with it. I'll have to do some research