All Good Things Pass

[Don]

First, let me state that I adore the Orphalese Tarot program. But ...

The price of this program is now more than it's worth at 40 bucks and starting with Version 8, registered users will have to start paying to have their versions updated when a new update comes out. So you might want to pass on the Orphalese program.

The programmer has set up a deal where you can get some of your money back if you convince other people to register [pay] for the Orphalese Tarot program. This I think is just a pain in the butt and not worth the hassle. Instead of recommending the program, we are now [self] promoting it in the hopes of getting some of our money back.

I registered when the program was 20 bucks and it was well worth the 20 dollars. But at 40 bucks, and having to pay for updates I'd rather buy a couple of decks or 3 or 4 tarot books.

So really put some thought into purchasing a program you may not be using all that often - if at all. I'm all for Richard Jefferies, the programs creator to attempt to make the Orphalese Tarot program a viable product/entity but I think he's just doing the opposite and turning people away with the higher registration price and [soon to be] paid for updates.

This is not a word processing program or even a graphics program. It's a tarot progrm for crying out loud so the demand for it isn't going to be anywhere near what it would be for a commercial type program lots and lots of people [the general public] can use.

I'm just hoping that because I won't be able to afford the updates that I'll still be able to use my older version of the Orphalese Tarot program, still be able to access the Tarot Zone, download decks to try out, and so on.

If I hadn't registered when the program was 20 bucks and was now considering getting it, I would have to pass because of the 40 dollar registration fee - despite its being a great program.

Poppa Don [Don S.]

[Rhutobello]

First of all...opinion is allowed....so is also yours:)

Let me try to give mine.

Tarot is a form of entertaiment and if you do it more serious a bit of education or brain food:)

What entertainment do you get from 40 dollars....maybe 5 rented videos...or 4 cinema visits, if those things are more worth for you then I can understand.

Another thought is....If you develop such program and use a lot of time to give the user what they want....what price would you have put on your work.?

You put it right when you say it is not a commercial software, if it was more people would have bought it and the price might have been lower. Product that has not a great demand will always have a higher pricetag....but anyway I can't see that 40 dollar is that high for such quality product.

You say you registred your program when it was 20 dollar. From what I have understand you are then engible for free updates, only people register from ver 7 have to pay for the update, and then only when major release are done..ver 8..9..10...not when you have those in between.

I also assume that you don't have to upgrade....if you feel your copy of the program is enough then stay with it, but like any other program, ther will be a time when it become obsolete,

I also assume that upgrade price will be far less then the reg of the program....so you must not look at the askingprice to see the upgrade price...but this I am sure Richard will enlighten us upon:)

[Programmer]

Hi Don,

Thanks very much for posting. I have noticed a slight downturn in the number of registrations since raising the price at the start of this month, so you might be right in your assertion that the program is no longer worth the price for a number of users. I was thinking this myself and it is refreshing that someone has the cojones to come out and say it directly :)

I better make the program worth forty bucks then, hadn't I!?

Speaking of which, I just uploaded the next update of the 7.2 beta. For those who haven't tried this beta, 7.2 will represent a major enhancement to the Deck Exchange, Forum and OTZ in general. It is the first visible result of the program being able to take advantage of .Net 2, and I really do think it will make people dig a bit deeper into their pockets.

Re paying for upgrades, it is standard practice with software. I don't know a single program where you don't pay for them, and I am a great purchaser of software (keeping up to date with Visual Studio, subscribing to MSDN, and paying for the obfuscation program that hinders people being able to steal the source code for the Orphalese Tarot comes to around 2000 dollars per annum).

The reseller scheme may, I grant you, seem slightly tacky. I had that reservation myself. But how much of a pain in the butt can it be just to check the box saying Do not show me this again and click OK?

As far as not wanting to upgrade to version 8 goes, please let me reassure you that yes, I will continue to support version 7 after version 8 comes out. In the past I have not supported old versions of the program. My stock response when anyone reports a bug is have you got the latest version?. I do recognise that this will have to change. Although once V8 appears I won't do any more work on V7, and I may find myself saying Yes, it's a known bug, I will try to offer a workaround if I know of one, and I won't pull any tricks to make V7 less useful than it is. If everyone keeps reporting the bugs they find there is a good chance that the final edition of V7 will be a place that many users are comfortable staying. Then the challenge for me will be to make them change their minds.

Cheers!

Richard

[Rhutobello]

I just forgot 1 thing....If you want to connect this program to other software, then it must be games.

I play a lot of games....and the price tag stay normally at dollar 39,95-49,95
and normally the games will not be develop futher, with the option to upgrade, but new version for a new 39,95 -49,95 will be released.

[Christine]

Hi Richard!

For those interested here are my two cents:

I've been a registered user for several years, and believe me, I've gotten my registration fee - and then some - back! Orphalese is not just another Tarot Program. It is a way to exchange ideas, learn, meet people with similar interests, research and just have fun! I review decks and have saved by not buying some and wisely spending my Fun money on the ones that interest me. Total savings on this alone is probably in the neighborhood of $100.

I've been priviledged to watch Orphalese grow, and grow and grow. Richard has made a tremendous commitment - and follows through with it every time. Thank you, Richard, for all you do!

I may not have the cojones (yes, Richard, it does translate the same into the border Spanglish .-) ), but I do want to give credit where credit is so richly deserved.

Many Blessings,

Christine