[language cross-grade] Why should I pay twice ?

Jean_R · Post by **Jean_R** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:31 pm

I'm french so I can't believe e-frontier did not release a free upgrade of AS in french.

I can't believe they think I'm going to pay twice for a simple translation.

I'm furious.

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:10 am

I have to agree with you on that one and I'm NOT French.

I hope they come to their senses at some point and offer a free upgrade of some kind. THIS MAKES NO SENSE! It isn't like they would lose money. The money they make from this upgrade is "blood money". This type of thing is NOT what you should make profit from... it should be a free update.

-vern

Jean_R · Post by **Jean_R** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:40 am

Indeed, this makes no sense when we consider all the community that participate to the development of AS;

I will not be surprised to see some features added in the next (real ?) release from this great forum.

The distributor causes harm to this great software.

thx for reply. I hope more and more people will join this topic.

dazza101 · Post by **dazza101** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:40 am

I have to say that I didn't really pay much attention to the release of the French version (not being a Francophone). But now that you raise the issue of current owners of AS having to pay for the "upgrade" from English to French, I can only agree with you that this makes no sense.

After all, if the current French speaking owners received a free "upgrade" to the software they have already purchased, I would assume they would be more likely to spread the word about this fantastic animation program and it would follow that new sales would follow.

At least it makes sense to me...

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:43 am

The real reason this makes no sense is that it isn't a "functional" update. It doesn't add anything new to the program. No new features.

If a developer decides to increase the customer base by creating new versions in other languages the goal is to make more sales of the same application to NEW customers. Current owners who prefer a specific language should be able to at least "trade up" for a different version.

At least they should offer a cut off date for the upgrade. If you purchased the original AS within a certain time frame the French update should be free. If outside that time then at least a much lower price should be offered.

I guess you could wait for the next "paid" update and make sure to get the French version.
---------
p.s
I remember many years ago in the "old days" of the Mac OS all of the strings associated with language were easy to replace with Resedit. I found a German biorhythms application and I went through with a German/English dictionary and converted it to English by changing all the string resources in the resource fork of the application. It took a couple of days with some help from a cousin who knew German.

Funny cultural differences even with software... the "wait" or "spinning clock" animation was someone smoking a cigarette. I thought about replacing that as well.

-vern

dazza101 · Post by **dazza101** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:02 am

Vern, I completely agree.

It seems a little short-sighted to me to try and re-coup the cost of translation from those that already use the program and who are its best ambassadors...

Jean_R · Post by **Jean_R** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:33 pm

This distribution policy concerns not only the french language, but all other non-English languages.
Why have they released a free version (5.5), which makes its own translation of the interface and propose the same version with a modified file "strings" at the same price as the full version. I am very puzzled.

Of course, working with a software in their own language improves productivity among other things, but it should not cost 150 €

Atlanticism is not virtuous, any more than greed.

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:00 pm

you got my vote.
imo even updates should be free... or massively discounted... to charge 150E for a language cross-grade is infuriating.

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:18 pm

I think what worries me about this is that this might mean the promised "free" update that has been delayed is going to cost money!!!

If they charge for a simple language version what would they do with an update with new features?

-vern

Mikdog · Post by **Mikdog** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:00 pm

I'm trying to find my serial # again and a place to download a copy of Moho before it became bloatware.

pff.

Anyone know a place i can download Moho for Mac?

I've contacted e-frontier about my serial. Man.

Sorry to steal your thread briefly, but its related

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:07 pm

Good luck Mikdog.

Fahim gave me a coupon for an update to AS for Mac way back when he still worked for efrontier. I downloaded the installer but it was corrupted... I didn't know it was corrupted. I just assumed the new version was incompatible with the Panther OS. I waited too long to download again and in the meantime the download for the installer was removed from my content paradise account.

They wanted me to PAY a fee to get that link back. Man I got steamed.

Eventually some kind person here sent me a new installer. I had a serial number, I just needed a functional installer that worked.

That is one thing I hope that Smith Micro will do better. Treat the customers like people instead of money bags that you squeeze for extra cash. Charging for re-downloading a corrupted installer file... sheesh.

-vern

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:02 am

That is one thing I hope that Smith Micro will do better. Treat the customers like people instead of money bags that you squeeze for extra cash. Charging for re-downloading a corrupted installer file... sheesh.

by the very nature of this thread they've proved themselves to be the same or worse

why is AS treated like a hot potato?

Jean_R · Post by **Jean_R** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:06 pm

Hi Vern.

Can't u simply download a trial mac version then use your serial in order to unlock all features ?

Link for Trials

funksmaname · Post by **funksmaname** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:51 am

if they actively want to stop us doing that they can... it just means changing the pw structure in subsequent releases... i hope they dont or i'll be very annoyed.

heyvern · Post by **heyvern** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:27 pm

Jean_R wrote:Hi Vern.

Can't u simply download a trial mac version then use your serial in order to unlock all features ?

Link for Trials

At the time that this happened I think the demo was for the standard version not pro. Or maybe there was no demo available. All I know is there was no option for download of any kind except the download link provided by efrontier.

-vern