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Buy now, or wait for 4.0
 
#1
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Hi,

I am considering buying The Bat! to replace Barca.  I am pretty convinced The Bat! is the way to go.

I've looked over the forums and website and can't find the answer myself, so what I want to know is:

If I buy the current version of The Bat! now will my upgrade to 4.0 be free?  What is the upgrade policy for users who want to buy now?

Thanks
Terry
 
 
 
#2
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I'd buy today if I knew I could get the 4.0 version free when it came out.
I'd hate to buy now, and then the new version come out a week later and it already be outdated, and have to buy again.

Rick
 
 
 
#3
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lots of people are asking this lately.
But [no surprise] Ritlabs keep their upgrade policy secret.
If their intension was the upgrade to be free for those who purchased 3.x in the last year or so, I think they would have stated that already when announcing the upcoming release of v4.
So probably upgrade will not be free, or will be only for those who just purchased 3.x (in the last month or so).

I'd wait v4 to be released, or at least upgrade policy to revealed.
 
 
 
#4
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Hello,

Quote
But [no surprise] Ritlabs keep their upgrade policy secret.

I believe that this politics of the secret is an error.

Indeed, some people do not buy TB now and will not buy it never because of this secret.

They will abandon the trial version after 30 days and will not know about the release of the version 4.
 
 
 
#5
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Good morning,

I had sent ritlabs an email asking them about the upgrade policy.  Here was the response I received.

Quote
When v4.0 comes out the key from v3.xx will be accepted (upto v4.2.xx).

--
Sincerely,
Alexander Petrari
RITLabs

So that puts that question to rest.  Now to see if I can import my email archive from Barca.

Thanks
Terry
 
 
 
#6
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Quote
Terry Bayne writes:
So that puts that question to rest.

quite the opposite, I would say it raises new questions :)

Does it mean that v3.x license owners can upgrade for free to the initial v.4, but when 4.3 is released they'll have to buy an upgrade?
Ritlabs may release a new version with some bugfixes one week after 4.0, and give it a number 4.3
 
 
 
#7
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AFAIK changes like rewritten Microed editor fully supporting Unicode are planned for 4th generation, so there will be major changes, not only bugfixes.
 
 
 
#8
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Marek, you missed my point. Surely there will be major changes in v.4, I do not argue about that.
I meant that after releasing 4.0 with all the major changes, a week later they may release a new version with a couple of bugfixes and give it version number 4.3 - shall then owners of 3.x licenses have to pay to upgrade to 4.3 ?
If yes (as it looks from the posted Ritlabs email above) , then in fact the upgrade to v.4 will not be free.
 
 
 
#9
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At some point they must draw the line.  

This is a business and as such must generate revenue or die.  This is NOT a bad thing.

I think, and I believe, the intention is to get folks moved into 4.0 - especially current customers.

So when I buy version 3.xx I get the next major upgrade for free.  I can live with that.  Yes they COULD go from 4.0 to 4.3 - but what would be the point?  To anger customers?  I would expect that we will see 4.0, 4.1, and finally 4.2 BEFORE we see 4.3.

So while I do value you my hard earned cash, the ritlab's approach seems fair to me.  I am not at all paranoid that they are going to try and screw me out of my $45.00 - doing that alienates the user base, and given how long "The Bat" has been around I doubt that is the intent.

One sort of wonders at the paranoia, fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD), being tossed about.

So do you REALLY expect that having bought one version of the program you should be entitled to ALL upgrades for free?

I certainly don't.  It is not an open source product, nor have they ever said (as far as I can tell from the web site and google searches) that "All upgrades are free".  So it's not like they have misled someone.

My question was answered, simply and concisely.  And while it might raise more questions for you, it doesn't for me.  I might suggest you fire off your own email to them and see what they have to say.

Just my .02.

Terry
 
 
 
#10
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Indeed a business should generate revenue, it's surely not bad, I don't think all upgrades should be free etc. I am a software developer myself, and upgrades to new major versions of my products are paid for those who purchased a previous version more than an year ago - however this is clearly stated everywhere - website, faq's, manuals etc. So my users don't have to wonder if it's better to buy a product today or wait - this is clear for them right away.

So I don't mind paid upgrades, I just **want to know** what's the case. Businesses must plan their expenditure for software (and everything else) , so upgrade policies must be absolutely clear and unambiguous - and this is not the case with Ritlabs.
 
 
 
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