The problem in those cases is monetisation. We do need to make money somehow. In general, if the user doesn't pay us, the user becomes the product that we sell to other third-party companies. Either directly, by gathering data, creating a user profile and selling those to advertisers, or indirectly, by using the large installation base and the data collected through it to turn it into threat intelligence we can capitalise on. In general, neither of those is particularly appealing to us.
Thanks
@Fabian Wosar for setting up this thread, I think it's a fantastic idea and a great way to engage your customers and other members of the public.
While I am currently not using Emsisoft, I do have to admit, with the announcements of the console, BB and engine updates, you have successfully peaked my interest. I will for sure be checking these out once they are available.
I don't really have a question for you right now, I am sure one will come soon, hehe, but I just wanted to comment on your post, as I think it's spot on. I think this is the biggest issue with free products in general, is that nothing is ever truly free and you will be paying for it other ways, just like you've mentioned. While I understand that everyone works hard for their money and always wants the best value for it, I am always still fascinated how many people expect so much from a company and sometimes expect to get things for "free" because other's do it. Like you've said, someone still has to pay the bills and while it would be nice to have a free version of EAM, I am sure you need to feed yourself as well.
I think this is the one thing that gets forgotten sometimes, the people that make these great programs also have lives and also need the company to survive in order to make an income. Sure you can have ad's and such, but that ends up doing away with your core values as a company.
With that being said, would you be willing to offer more sales through out the year? I know you have some here and there, but maybe having a few more sales may help people get it at a price that is more accessible to them?
Well I guess that is a question after all.