[Chris M]

I've tried to stay out of this thread, mostly for the part of my wanting to strangle a few people who've spoken their mind and some about this subject...

I understand that there are people who want to charge for their products - As I previously mentioned, I purchased TheGeek's GARS and GAB because I believe that for the time and effort TheGeek put in, and the actual time and effort it would cost me, the price seemed fair

Now I've already stated that software such as vBSEO is far too overpriced - That's my opinion, and I know some others will jump onto the bandwagon at this point and either agree wholeheartedly or disagree to the point of questioning my intelligence...

THIS is what is wrong with this community...

The issue here, right or wrong in whoever's eyes, is the release of a Commercial hack on vB.org as a BETA, to then never finish the BETA and move all support and functionality to a Commerical version of the script...

Why is this an issue? You aren't providing a finished Lite version of your software for free use; Why should we allow you to BETA test your software on vB.org users and then expect them to pay you $x because you want it to be commerical?

There is nothing wrong with charging people for a piece of Commercial software that may revolutionize their forums; What is wrong is baiting people into having to purchase it using the members of vB.org as your guinea pigs...

So the question becomes "How do we combat it?"

Until now, we've simply removed the modification if it has the slightest hint of doing so - We allow "Donate" buttons in hack threads because the user has a choice...

What do you propose we do? Do we charge users who wish to "bait" their clients to advertise their software? Or do we simply continue with removing the software and getting criticism...

If someone can please come up with a solution that will keep both sides happy, then by all means speak up...

Most likely, there is no perfect solution; We are always going to have a dilemma with whatever choice we make and some people aren't going to end up happy...

I'll be watching this thread to see what responses this brings and I assure you that while the tone remains civil amongst you in response or discussion of this that I will contribute thoughts and ideas, snags and problems with solutions brought up...

But already there has been some badmouthing and slagging off of other members; As of yet it hasn't happened since when Brad stood in but the tone is getting heated, and I can see something going off if it continues in this manner, so be warned - I will close this and end the discussion if someone crosses the line too much...

So please, let's try and work a solution for this that everyone can agree to, or at least propose a way to sort it out?

As always, these are my thoughts and opinions, not those of the other Staff members or Jelsoft

Chris