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Thread DBISAM v5 and a lite version
Thu, Feb 2 2006 5:05 AMPermanent Link

Are there plans for a "free" Lite version of ElevateDB 5 (nee DBISAM
version 5)? I ask because someone asked me what they should use for a
little database yesterday, and there are, err, competitors out that which
offer free entry level versions. This has to be a good hook for new users,
since once data is in that format inertia makes it harder to move away. It
would be nice to be able to say "use the free ElevateDB/DBISAM" to get
them started.

I ask this in the light of the simply great support that Tim gives, and
wanting more people to join the flock.

/Matthew Jones/
Thu, Feb 2 2006 8:18 AMPermanent Link

Tim Young [Elevate Software]

Elevate Software, Inc.

Avatar

Email timyoung@elevatesoft.com

Matthew,

<< Are there plans for a "free" Lite version of ElevateDB 5 (nee DBISAM
version 5)? >>

Not right now.  It's very difficult to manage in terms of costs without
getting into segmented support options, i.e. non-public newsgroups, etc.
Also, it's simply not possible to do free support with free products, and
then there's the issue of cutting into possible sales.

--
Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com

Thu, Feb 2 2006 10:13 AMPermanent Link

Roy Lambert

NLH Associates

Team Elevate Team Elevate

>Not right now. It's very difficult to manage in terms of costs without
>getting into segmented support options, i.e. non-public newsgroups, etc.
>Also, it's simply not possible to do free support with free products, and
>then there's the issue of cutting into possible sales.

I've also been trying to get my head around what you leave out or what capability you reduce to create the Lite version

- reduce the number of records it will handle
- build in speed bumps

or what?

Come on everyone lets help Tim out here. What would you leave out of the Lite version?

Roy Lambert

Thu, Feb 2 2006 10:24 AMPermanent Link

Sean McCall
Single connection / local access only / licensed only for
non-commercial use / provided as-is with no warranty /
automatically created readme.txt in database folder that
describes the free database & how to get a commercial copy -
discourages unlicensed commercial use. Otherwise fully
functional.


Roy Lambert wrote:

>>Not right now. It's very difficult to manage in terms of costs without
>>getting into segmented support options, i.e. non-public newsgroups, etc.
>>Also, it's simply not possible to do free support with free products, and
>>then there's the issue of cutting into possible sales.
>
>
> I've also been trying to get my head around what you leave out or what capability you reduce to create the Lite version
>
> - reduce the number of records it will handle
> - build in speed bumps
>
> or what?
>
> Come on everyone lets help Tim out here. What would you leave out of the Lite version?
>
> Roy Lambert
>
>
Thu, Feb 2 2006 10:36 AMPermanent Link

"Ralf Mimoun"
Roy Lambert wrote:
....
> Come on everyone lets help Tim out here. What would you leave out of
> the Lite version?

Nothing - no Light version. If I want to write a free version of a product
that needs a db, then I have some versions you have to pay to, too. So,
money flow, buy DBISAM. They had to spend money for a db enabled Delphi
version, mostly for some 3rd party controls, glaphs etc. And most of us
spend more for their (other) hobbies in three months than the price of the
smallest DBISAM license.

Ralf

Thu, Feb 2 2006 10:44 AMPermanent Link

Arnd Baranowski
Well said and I second it

Arnd

Ralf Mimoun wrote:

> Roy Lambert wrote:
> ...
>
>>Come on everyone lets help Tim out here. What would you leave out of
>>the Lite version?
>
>
> Nothing - no Light version. If I want to write a free version of a product
> that needs a db, then I have some versions you have to pay to, too. So,
> money flow, buy DBISAM. They had to spend money for a db enabled Delphi
> version, mostly for some 3rd party controls, glaphs etc. And most of us
> spend more for their (other) hobbies in three months than the price of the
> smallest DBISAM license.
>
> Ralf
>
>
Thu, Feb 2 2006 11:33 AMPermanent Link

Jon Lloyd Duerdoth
Ahem!!

I agree with Ralf and I'm a senior with only retirement income!

Jon

Ralf Mimoun wrote:
> Roy Lambert wrote:
> ...
>> Come on everyone lets help Tim out here. What would you leave out of
>> the Lite version?
>
> Nothing - no Light version. If I want to write a free version of a product
> that needs a db, then I have some versions you have to pay to, too. So,
> money flow, buy DBISAM. They had to spend money for a db enabled Delphi
> version, mostly for some 3rd party controls, glaphs etc. And most of us
> spend more for their (other) hobbies in three months than the price of the
> smallest DBISAM license.
>
> Ralf
>
>
Thu, Feb 2 2006 11:43 AMPermanent Link

Yes, except that you have to consider the competition.
NexusDB.
There, I said it.

Now, if you are someone looking for a solution, just some little database
thing you want to add to your app, which would you rather. A free database
or shelling out some money. You go free - you don't care.

Now, months later, you need a more fully featured database. You'll pay,
that's only right. Which one do you buy? Do you look around again, or do
you go with what you already know works, and which you know how to use?

Where does that leave the one that didn't have a free entry level product?

How about this? When ElevateDB 5 comes out, make the entry level version
4 available for free. Or maybe just $50 or something. A no brainer to buy
if it is right. No budget to worry about.

I raised it all as it strikes me that DBISAM has to be able to get its
foot in the door alongside the competition. Maybe it isn't necessary, but
you have to think long term effects.

Just my $2. 8-)

/Matthew Jones/
Thu, Feb 2 2006 1:09 PMPermanent Link

Roy Lambert

NLH Associates

Team Elevate Team Elevate

Matthew

OK now consider ....

>Now, if you are someone looking for a solution, just some little database
>thing you want to add to your app, which would you rather. A free database
>or shelling out some money. You go free - you don't care.

You stick with the BDE

>Now, months later, you need a more fully featured database. You'll pay,
>that's only right. Which one do you buy? Do you look around again, or do
>you go with what you already know works, and which you know how to use?

You've forgotten that this was a crippled freeware version and you look around for a "proper" database.

Seriously, if you're the size of M$ then giving away product to capture the market from something better (think Word pre-installed on PC's to stop anyone buying a decent WP system) makes sense. If, on the other hand, you're a small operator and need to keep eating its not so good.

I like free software - I'll always scan Torry before even thinking of buying - so in some respects I'm definitely on your side, but there are a number of free databases out there (including DB2 now) so adding another one in is unlikely to generate more sales, and that's the only reason to do it.

Finally, don't forget Tim does have a free version - its called the Trial.

Roy Lambert
Thu, Feb 2 2006 1:57 PMPermanent Link

Okay, I'll accept that it might not be good. I just thought it was worth
raising though.

/Matthew Jones/
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