Some rarely used features moved to Pro build only

[Jeremy Collake]

I've reluctantly relocated some features to the Pro build only. The features moved are:

• Vista Multimedia Scheduler config
• NT Scheduler config
• Process instance count limits
• Periodic virtual memory trimming

[Jeremy Collake]

I haven't heard any complaints about this action, so I hope it is ok. I don't think many will miss the features I moved, and it actually makes the free build more lean and mean.

I apologize for having to take this action. Sadly, I can't run a business as a total charity -- though I will always offer things as free as I possibly can.

[Hotrod]

I have to say that while I don't like this move at all, I understand the reasons behind it. These are, to me, 2 of the most usefull features and ones which I advocated for in the initial phases of their developement. I use them both regularly on all of my machines. Especially the process instance count which prevents my impatient wife from opening 20 instances of a process because she can't wait for the initial window to open. In addition, I have a laptop that runs Kaspersky Defender Pro which seems to start several instances of it's 2 main exe's every time it updates and then forgets to shut them down afterward. Sometimes this is like 20 of each. I have found that I can limit them to 1 or 2 instances and the update runs fine without the multiple instance problem. While I can live without the RAM adjustment, I still like having things freed up every few hours since some systems seem to lose RAM gradually over time, and do not recover it by themselves. I can and have found other programs that can control this for me, but I prefer running as few tweak programs on my systems as possible so it is preferable to have PL perform this function. I understand the need to earn income and so I plan to purchase a license and run pro soon. However, the same economy that has prompted you to change your policy has also led my employer to cut back on hours and to have "Selective Mandatory Time Off" for all employees over the next Quarter (3 months) and maybe longer. This makes my budget quite lean for a while and I am forced to stick with version 332.1 and not update no matter what the improvements until the economy improves. I have no problem with the idea of paying for such a good program and I regret that this will make it impossible for me to contribute to it's continuing development for a while since I cannot comment on improvements that I am unable to test out. In my humble opinion there are several other features which I don't use and are not able to be used on every system that would have been better choices for making "Pro Only". But, I AM biased so pay no attention to my rantings. Keep up the good work and I will join in the fray when I am able. Good luck to all...especially Jeremy..as he puts his heart and soul into every project he creates. 

[Jeremy Collake]

Thanks for your feedback Hotrod. I didn't realize how commonly used the features I moved are. I'm definitely open to suggestions and changes. I could offer an optional dated trial instead of feature limit.. hmm.

Note that I wrote one reply to this, which said pretty much the same thing, then deleted it for fear I was being too 'open'.. lol. I worry too much sometimes .

Thanks

[Scott]

Jeremy (I hope you don't mind that I use your first name), I hope you do whatever is in your best economic interests.  Otherwise, there may not be a Pro version or a (supported) free version.  This is what people need to understand.

[Jeremy Collake]

Thanks heterodox, you are quite right. The days of hoping enough people donate are over. I perhaps was foolish in ever thinking such a business model could work. However, I still will always make my software as affordable as possible. I want people to use and benefit from my software regardless of their ability to pay.

Anyway, I have many big plans for Process Lasso during this next year, and, as you said, this new licensing structure helps to make continued work on it possible.

[shantanu_gadgil]

Hello Jeremy,
Although saddened by the fact that the free version shall have reduced features I support your decision; money (food) first, charity later!!! 

(Pay up or shut up ... I would say) ... but that's just my opinion. 

Thanks for a wonderful software and hope you get enough money to probably reverse this someday! 

Cheers and regards,
Shantanu

[Jeremy Collake]

Thanks for a wonderful software and hope you get enough money to probably reverse this someday! 

Yes, indeed that would be nice. If I ever do stumble into riches, I'll definitely reverse this action -- for the good of the world .

Thanks

[JoWazzoo]

I've reluctantly relocated some features to the Pro build only.

Why Reluctant??

Cheers.

[Jeremy Collake]

I've reluctantly relocated some features to the Pro build only.

Why Reluctant??

Because I wanted Process Lasso to be pure freeware, and I was afraid of the possible user backlash ;(. Things seemed to have went smoothly though, so I certainly don't regret doing this now.

Thanks

[Hotrod]

As I said before, I understand the reasons why and only threw my tantrum because some of the features were ones I personally used to their fullest extent. Once again, "I AM biased." That being said, I think from a marketing perspective a better approach would be a 30 day trial. Let them see and experience how good it could be if they had the full version. It gives more incentive to upgrade. I know I will, having seen the difference it makes.

[Jeremy Collake]

Hmm, that is a good point. Especially with the run as service support, many users would want to try that. Perhaps the trial could even continue running after the expiration, but simply have the Pro-only features disabled.

[Hotrod]

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. Much like other leading titles do. Kind of a little tastier bait on the hook. 

[Scott]

Make it a shareware trial, and you may lose much of your anticipated income to piracy.

[ManniX]

I agree it was a wise decision, many other freeware apps like yours have disappeared cause of lack of funding.
Price is more then fair and support excellent, already paid for the pro

[RDMTECH]

I don't believe piracy is an issue.  The people who would pirate the application never would have paid for it in the first place. 

A quick search on the two big torrent sites yielded one hit.  Version 2.30 with no activity. 

If Process Lasso does get attention on the torrent sites it probably wouldn't be a bad thing.  It would spread the word fairly quickly and introduce many more to this great application.  In the end if the person finds the application useful and they want to support its development they will do so, if not they won't. 

We can't change human nature.

[Scott]

Not everyone who would pirate the application would have paid for it, but there absolutely are people who will buy an application if they cannot find pirated keys or a keygen.

[Jeremy Collake]

If Process Lasso does get attention on the torrent sites it probably wouldn't be a bad thing.  It would spread the word fairly quickly and introduce many more to this great application.  In the end if the person finds the application useful and they want to support its development they will do so, if not they won't. 

We can't change human nature.

You are quite right, and tolerance of software piracy has been my philosophy ever since I started selling my software. Attention from the warez scene is indeed one of the best ways to get the word out. Some of my biggest referrals come from warez sites, particularly for PECompact. Also, you are right, most people who are going to pirate it, will pirate it - though heterodox makes a valid point too: sometimes people pay for software only if they can't easily pirate it.

In the case of Process Lasso, perhaps it will forever be near impossible to find the latest version on warez sites, because my updates are so frequent . This alone may give pirates some incentive to come and actually purchase the Pro version.

[JoWazzoo]

Because I wanted Process Lasso to be pure freeware, and I was afraid of the possible user backlash ;(.
Thanks

Heh .. you want backlash - OKAY you got it. :-))

WRT Process instance count limits

I didn't even know that was there!!!! gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

I have a continuing problem with IExplorer loading multiple instances discussed elsewhere.

Anyway - it is _your_ proggy. Many, maybe most vendors now, at least wrt privacy & security sw have 1 - 3 models.  You can't give it all away for free.

Cheers

{I do not have credit card nor checking account and for the life of me cannot figure out how I can purchase the Pro version. :-))|

[Jeremy Collake]

Just a little tip: I actually enabled instance count limits in the latest free beta. I don't know if I'll keep it for the final or not yet.

[Hotrod]

Maybe Jeremy could send you a P.O. Box address in a private message so you could mail cash and an e-mail account to send the pro version to.