Why are hacks free?

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by Michelle

But supporting hacks just SUCKS. I will never tick the support box again.
I like coding and that's why I have made some hacks but I absolutely HATE supporting.

I know what you mean.

Some people are just impatient/dumb/ungrateful and especially lazy - they don't read the thread, just ask the same questions again and again - in some cases where the answer is just a few posts above on the same page !!.

However, this is only a minority. Most people are the opposite of this.

[Lea Verou]

Talking about support... http://www.e-steki.com/gallery/files...ort_176620.gif

[Code Monkey]

I've only worked on one hack and I would have to agree. Support is a pain.

From my limited experience with one minor hack. End users...

• rarely search the thread.
• rarely read the whole first post or re-check it for updated info.
• rarely utilize any built in help functions.
• ask if it will do something instead of testing if it will do something.
• rarely give sufficient info to understand their problem.
• tinker with the code and constantly PM you with "guess" solutions.
• are quick to say "it's broke" and slow to say "thanks."
• rarely report back that something works.
• ask for new features and then offer little feedback when implemented.
• may never thank you or post anything at all in your hack thread but will jump right in and thank someone that posts a temp fix while your away.
• seem to disappear a lot in the middle of support discusions. Leaving you wondering if it worked.
• are impatient. Thinking that a few hours is an unanswered request to an obvious emergency.
• are the only ones with a life.
• get miffed when you say no.
• are always on line when your at work.

I could go on and on.

Nevertheless, many do not fit into the above, and just install the hack according to instructions, appreciate that it works fine, don't want to bog down the thread with yada yada ya and simply click install and move on. A few others stop and say thanks. Or PM a thanks or an idea. And there is even that one person that donated.

For them, I keep on supporting it.

I can only imagine what it's like for those that release a major hack, or worse yet, a multitude of hacks. My hat's off to those folks.

[Lea Verou]

JumpD I agree in ALL your dots!
Wow! Very, very true

[Code Monkey]

I guess the point is, if one charged for the hack, all these issues would increase dramatically without an increase in ones ability to give support. So that's why they are free.

[Lea Verou]

Originally Posted by JumpD

I guess the point is, if one charged for the hack, all these issues would increase dramatically without an increase in ones ability to give support. So that's why they are free.

Exactly