Bringing clarification to something I recently wrote

[keeperx]

paying for service packs, security updates and bug fixes is crazy, HOWEVER it makes perfect sense to pay for a new version with new features. you are selling capabilities, instead of selling words.

there are a few valid models for this type of approach.

Operating systems, Office studios, Graphics software etc.

i believe that laser display software falls in to that category as long as new versions offer new features, not just new interfaces.

Since the Pangolin software is so closely married to the hardware, it may make allot of sense to start building hardware with a slightly more open (not to the public) architecture. Im talking about the hardware being upgraded using on-board flash programing that extends the capabilities of the hardware along with the software. Imagine an LD2000 with 2 gig of program storage and an Atom processor. \

microcharges have also been succesful, both in the world of updates and the world of content. obviously content takes the upper hand but there are software packages that give away big fixes (point release) and sell updates that add capabilities for a small amount (like plugins etc). Again, with this model you are selling the features not the entire package

[White-Light]

Maybe I don't have a right to a say in this as I currently don't own Pangolin products, but I agree with the last 2 posters.

When something entirely new such as Beyond comes out then its fair enough to be asked to pay again or maybe an upgrade fee. However, routine patches and improvements should be free.

[mixedgas]

Keeprx wrote:

there are a few valid models for this type of approach.
pgraded using on-board flash programing that extends the capabilities of the hardware along with the software. Imagine an LD2000 with 2 gig of program storage and an Atom processor. \
end quote

The existing Coldfire has better I/O and memory capability then the ATOM and having seen the board, I'm quite sure its flashable.

Steve

[mccarrot]

Ever heard about Google?

I think the main success of google is becouse people like it becouse google earth, sketchup, Gmail, etc is free. People like the word Free.

[DZ]

Im talking about the hardware being upgraded using on-board flash programing that extends the capabilities of the hardware along with the software. Imagine an LD2000 with 2 gig of program storage and an Atom processor.

As far as I know, the QM2K can have it's program re-flashed and upgraded. Regarding memory, you can have up to 1gig of ram on the QM2K, which takes a lot of frames to fill. I have a show with about 42,000 frames that only takes up about 380meg of the QM2K's memory, the show is 55 minutes long.

[sugeek]

Bill,

I think free updates are a great thing, I really hate buying software and a new version being released a week later and company X wants $xxx to upgrade to the new version (that usually takes features away). I think that if one is taking a major leap in software/hardware leaving some hardware unsupported by new software (I am thinking of apple switching from PPC to Intel hardware) it would be understandable one would have to pay for new software, and of course the new hardware. Legacy support is something that should not go away, the issues this brings up would be supporting two software/hardware lines which of course increases cost and labor. But retiring a software package of course could cause some angst, I am sure with your reputation of great customer support this would not be an issue.

My $0.02,
Adam

[Pangolin]

So, when is the QM-2010 coming out?

Hehe. We think the QM2000 has a few years left in it. Perhaps it was unwise to put the number "2000" in there...

Bill

[Speculative Lasers - Dan]

Bill, I dont think you should look at it that way,

for every person using your product, that is one person not using another product. IE: increased market share. been the most popular has certain advantages in commercial marketing to new clients etc.... offering the same deal as the rest of the pack doesnt distinguish Pangolin from the pack.

i first heard about Pangolin wayyyy back in 97 now i have it. most lighting people i know respects the fact that my company is using Pangolin products. Quality encompasses many things with digital tech, not just bells and whistles but also aftermarket support.