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Version I've Used for Two Years No Longer Works

I've been using Reflector for 2 years. Recently I started getting a message on startup telling me the version is out of date, and do I want to update it. To which I've replied no, since I realized reflector now costs money and the version I was using was sufficient. (Although I have been contemplating a purchase).

Anyway, when responding 'no' to this prompt, the software loaded as usual. Until tonight. Now after specifying 'no', the dialog drops, and the software does not load.

I might be jumping the gun, but if my hunch is correct, Red Gate has no right to violate my personal property. When I downloaded this software, it was free, with no time restrictions, and entering my space and disabling it so I have to purchase a newer version is no different than if Alias decided my Maya 6 should be updated to Maya 7 with another purchase.

Red Gate could very well be liable for this action.
jtravers88
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  • RichardD
    Welcome to the cluster-fudge that is Reflector v7.

    You're a little late to the party - some of us have been complaining about this decision for months. If you look through this forum, you'll see just how seriously our complaints were taken.
    RichardD
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  • jtravers88
    Ok I'm removing my complaint. Apparently you get the last free version when forced to do an update.

    At least for now, Red Gate is in the clear.

    I sell software in markets where even my competition thinks everything in the world is supposed to be free. I have no problem with starting to charge for software. Just don't ever think you can enter my personal space and deactivate software to get me to pay for it.

    Big time lawsuit when that happens.
    jtravers88
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  • RichardD
    They were planning to expire v6 and force everyone to upgrade, but they've had a change of heart: :D

    http://www.reflector.net/2011/04/why-we-reversed-some-of-our-reflector-decision/
    RichardD
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  • chew22
    They haven't had a change of heart. It's just that their decision and it's full impact to their bottom line have just started to become known.

    They falsely present the choices available to them in that blog. A third option exists:

    3) Continue to subsidize the development of Reflector even if it isn't profitable as an outward show that Redgate supports the .NET community.

    Oh, but they'll complain, that isn't good business practice. Sure. Neither is any open source endeavor, or any .NET code that people post out on Codeplex, if you just look at it from a short-term myopic viewpoint.

    However, people still do open source, support open source, subsidize open source. Look at the Orchard project Microsoft is doing for example. 8 or so headcount all dedicated towards producing an open source software result.

    Some companies have come to the conclusion that if you want to do business with a community that values community contribution, then you need to be a first class community citizen. Which sometimes can include "giving away" dev time in a show of good will.

    Other companies don't seem to be able to come to that conclusion.

    My prediction is that they won't last long.
    chew22
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