New software trend - Free versions less functional than before


  1. jimbo45
    Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       New #1

    New software trend - Free versions less functional than before


    Hi there
    Am I alone in seeing a new trend here in Free Software that also has a Paid version. The Freebies seem to become less functional with each release. Sometimes even the FREE version just disappears -- such as things like DYNDNS if you ever used that for accessing your computer from outside a router and your ISP gives you dynamic IP's.

    Another one is the Virtual DVD / CD mounter in W7 (W8 has native function for this) - a very decent product was the Alcohol 52% free edition -- it's still there but much harder to find now. Still available on places like CNET but its hard to find on the developers site.

    http://www.alcohol-soft.com/

    (You actually have to go to DOWNLOAD TRIAL to even see a mention that there IS a free version at all !!).

    I see for example that the latest version of Partition Wizard (Free version) won't handle dynamic disks - but the EARLIER version did.

    Seems that the days of decent FREE software might finally be coming to an end - at least as far as Windows is concerned.

    Hopefully this trend isn't a permanent one -- but it seems everybody is trying to "Monetise" --Isn't that an absolutely HIDEOUS word -- their products now.

    (I always keep a backup of earlier versions of products even after upgrading to a newer one -- then I can always revert to the older (and often better) version).

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  3. madcratebuilder
    Posts : 1,045
    Win8/8.1,Win7-U64, Vista U64, uncounted Linux distor's
       New #2

    Same thing twenty years ago, same comments.
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  4. Dude
    Posts : 5,915
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       New #3

    I'm a fan of open source
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  6. Lady Fitzgerald
    Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       New #4

    jimbo45 said:
    ...(I always keep a backup of earlier versions of products even after upgrading to a newer one -- then I can always revert to the older (and often better) version).

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Same here, except I keep two or three versions.
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  7. Mark Phelps
    Posts : 1,379
    Win7 Pro 32-bit, Win8 Pro 32-bit
       New #5

    No, you're not alone in what you're seeing.

    My guess is that the free versions were made available with the presumption that once folks got used to them, they would go back and buy the "Pro" version with more features.

    Most likely, that did not happen as often as the software suppliers would have liked, so now, they remove key features from the free versions, so if you want those features, you have to buy them.

    It's actually surprising (to me) that, in the Windows software world, anyone supplies free software anymore.
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  8. SIW2
    Posts : 16,154
    7 X64
       New #6

    If you don't have a giant budget, free versions are a great way of getting your brand known.

    Some are remarkably capable, partition wizard, Aomei backupper, Aomei Partition Assistant for example.


    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...46471029,d.bGE

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...46471029,d.bGE
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  10. edee
    Posts : 106
    Windows 8 Pro / Windows 7 Home Premium x64 dual boot
       New #7

    Yes I see it too. Not to even talk about all the crapware that is becoming the norm being bundled with most freeware, I mean even CCleaner which is a great freeware but if you are not careful it will install the Google toolbar and change your home page if you are not paying attention during installation.
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  11. iknowjohnny
    Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
       New #8

    Maybe it's just me, but this is something i believe has been common for many years.
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