curtisoden

Pete: I firmly support your decision to charge for your product - it is excellent quality software, and you should be compensated for your hard work. What I take issue with is the condescending "tone" your posts appear to have. While you may be the smartest person in the room when it comes to WideFS and FSUIPC, it does not entitle you to be rude. Read back over your posts in this thread from the perspective of a casual observer (which is how I came upon this topic) and consider how the manner in which you respond to legitimate support requests from paying customers reflects your opinion of those customers. Of course, I may be mistaken about your attitude - I occassionally come off as abrupt in my emails, and have more than once been accused of being a smart--s. I seldom intend to, and always appreciate the opportunity to clarify my intended tone. On the other hand, sometimes I really am being a smart--s. I certainly hope I was mistaken, and will give you the benefit of the doubt - I apologize for any offense you might have taken. My only request, as a paying customer who will continue purchasing your products, is that you consider how you are saying what your are saying. After all, you are representing WideFS and FSUIPC, and your products are only as good as the company behind them. Cheers, Curtis

Pete While I can appreciate someone being straight forward and to the point, you are simply being rude here. While your attitude might have been acceptable when you were giving your software away for free, once it becomes a commercial product as it is today, paying customers (like me), expect a certain level of customer service and courtesy. Regardless of how good the software is, when I see such a clear disregard for even the most basic priciples of courtesy, then I have to carefully examine my desision to support the the product. In your "readme" files, you sited the increased burnden of support as a reason you began charging for your software. If you lack the social skills necessary to support a commercial product, perhaps you should consider hiring a skilled customer service representative who can respond to questions in a helpful manner, rather than insulting and alienating the people who put money in your pocket. Regards, Curtis Oden