Club CDFreaks - Knowledge is Power - View Single Post - Comparing Freeware and Payware DVD Applications"

blutach · 14-01-2008

Seems there is a lot of discussion at CDF about freeware vs payware.

I am establishing this thread as a central place away from the "announcement" and "help me" threads where intelligent discussion (and not ranting) can take place about this interesting issue.

So, let me start by saying this....

1. I think all developers of quality product deserve to get paid for their work. This includes all quality freeware offerings, including, but not limited to (and in no particular order):

ImgBurn
PGCEdit
IfoEdit
VobEdit
VobBlanker
DVD Fab HD Decrypter
DVD Decrypter
RipIt4Me
MenuShrink
FixVTS
Virtual Dub
ISO Puzzle
DVD Rebuilder (free edition)
DVD Shrink
Titlewriter
DVD SubEdit
HC Encoder
Muxman
TMPGEnc (free versions)
Besweet and BeLight
VLC Player
Media Player Classic
etc etc etc - I am sure I could fill 1,000 programs in here quite easily (and apologies to those not mentioned explicitly).

The fact that they choose to offer their quality products for free is outstanding and I thank them. I recognise that, in some instances, this is to demonstrate how good their work is and to stimulate sales of payware. More power to them!

2. I reckon Slysoft's prices are now sky high and hope they give liberal discounts, as they've been doing for a while now. Failing that, I think they should throw in some freebies (other than lifetime upgrades - most software does that except for some notable exceptions like Ner0, TMPGEnc, PowerDVD, Adobe). Please note, I am not saying their product is not a good one. Just that it is way too expensive.

3. I am very grateful for all freeware offerings, especially from houses where their main bread and butter software is payware. Just from the above list, this would include DVD Fab, Muxman and DVD Rebuilder. I especially respect the fact that freeware offerings are done in their authors' spare time.

4. I own a lot a payware (this might surprise a lot of you)!!!

5. I do think that all software (free and paid) should be able to work with other quality software (free and paid) so long as each accepts the DVD Video standard. That is, I hold the spec as the overarching constraint for developers to adhere to. In saying this, it is not a matter of compatibility with other software, it is a matter of compliance with the DVD standard.

6. I prefer solutions that allow me to tinker to my heart's contents rather than provide a one-click solution. This is just me, but I am an inveterate tinkerer who likes to see if something can be done "better".

I welcome all opinions and additions.

Regards

14-01-2008	#1 (permalink)
blutach CD Freaks Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 890	Comparing Freeware and Payware DVD Applications" Seems there is a lot of discussion at CDF about freeware vs payware. I am establishing this thread as a central place away from the "announcement" and "help me" threads where intelligent discussion (and not ranting) can take place about this interesting issue. So, let me start by saying this.... 1. I think all developers of quality product deserve to get paid for their work. This includes all quality freeware offerings, including, but not limited to (and in no particular order): ImgBurn PGCEdit IfoEdit VobEdit VobBlanker DVD Fab HD Decrypter DVD Decrypter RipIt4Me MenuShrink FixVTS Virtual Dub ISO Puzzle DVD Rebuilder (free edition) DVD Shrink Titlewriter DVD SubEdit HC Encoder Muxman TMPGEnc (free versions) Besweet and BeLight VLC Player Media Player Classic etc etc etc - I am sure I could fill 1,000 programs in here quite easily (and apologies to those not mentioned explicitly). The fact that they choose to offer their quality products for free is outstanding and I thank them. I recognise that, in some instances, this is to demonstrate how good their work is and to stimulate sales of payware. More power to them! 2. I reckon Slysoft's prices are now sky high and hope they give liberal discounts, as they've been doing for a while now. Failing that, I think they should throw in some freebies (other than lifetime upgrades - most software does that except for some notable exceptions like Ner0, TMPGEnc, PowerDVD, Adobe). Please note, I am not saying their product is not a good one. Just that it is way too expensive. 3. I am very grateful for all freeware offerings, especially from houses where their main bread and butter software is payware. Just from the above list, this would include DVD Fab, Muxman and DVD Rebuilder. I especially respect the fact that freeware offerings are done in their authors' spare time. 4. I own a lot a payware (this might surprise a lot of you)!!! 5. I do think that all software (free and paid) should be able to work with other quality software (free and paid) so long as each accepts the DVD Video standard. That is, I hold the spec as the overarching constraint for developers to adhere to. In saying this, it is not a matter of compatibility with other software, it is a matter of compliance with the DVD standard. 6. I prefer solutions that allow me to tinker to my heart's contents rather than provide a one-click solution. This is just me, but I am an inveterate tinkerer who likes to see if something can be done "better". I welcome all opinions and additions. Regards __________________ Les