On the future of MP3 Cat
On the future of MP3 Cat
2006-02-20 | by Wiz ![[mail]](rsc/img/envelope.gif)
| Categories: My own software
| Categories: My own software I've been thinking about the future of MP3 Cat for a while.
It's been more than a year since I've done some real work on it, and my lack of motivation is due to several reasons:
- I don't actually need more features for my personal use: the whole project started out to fullfil a need I had, which I've accomplished after a few releases. Afterwards, all I've been implementing were requests by users.
- The giftware license has been largely misinterpreted (most sites which list MP3 Cat report "freeware" as license) or ignored. I'm grateful to those who did send a gift: it's also thank to them if from time to time I've released a new version, typically prepared right after receiving a parcel from Amazon ;-)
- I don't have much spare time to spend on this project just for the sake of it. When I started MP3 Cat back in the year 2000, I had much more free time, being a student then ;-)
- The internal architecture of MP3 Cat badly needs a refactoring to implement some asked for features, such as saving the categories in the DB in order not to loose them should you reinstall the system or open the DB on a different machine, being able to keep multiple search results windows open, and so on. Adding such features requires time.
So, what now?
I see two possible outcomes from this situation:
- Abandon the project, change the license of the latest and last release to Freeware. This means no more support, no more bugfixes, no more releases.
- Change the license to Shareware, rewrite what's needed to implement the new features I've mentioned before (and more) and release MP3 Cat 2.0. It'll be a time-limited trial version and it would cost more or less 15-20 EUR (depending on the amount of new features I'll implement). If it becomes an income source, I'm sure my motivation will be back soon enough ;-)
I still haven't reached a decision though. Even if I chose the second option, I'd like to know in advance if there's a slight chance it'll be the right one: it would be a pity to release v2.0 and then immediately abandon it because noone buys a license ;-)
To conclude, I'm asking you MP3 Cat users what you think about everything I've just said.
Should it be the red or the blue pill?
[Updated: follow up]
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Comments, Trackbacks, Pingbacks:
Comment from: Nigel Andrews [Visitor]
Simone,
I used MP3 Cat for a little while and it worked pretty well, though I was concerned at not having a print facility to make a hardcopy catalogue. The later version may have provided that.
But for me the imputus to do the cataloging dropped and so I haven't used your app for nearly a year.
Good luck
Nigel
I used MP3 Cat for a little while and it worked pretty well, though I was concerned at not having a print facility to make a hardcopy catalogue. The later version may have provided that.
But for me the imputus to do the cataloging dropped and so I haven't used your app for nearly a year.
Good luck
Nigel
Permalink
2006-02-20 @ 22:41
Comment from: Peter van de Leur [Visitor] · http://www.zippo.startbewijs.nl
Simone,
I still use your progam and I like it very much.
If the licence is not too high I will buy it.
With friendly regards
Peter
Permalink
2006-02-20 @ 23:01
Comment from: Dave Hunt [Visitor]
Hi Simone,
I downloaded MP3 Cat (v1.28) a few months ago, and tried it out. I think I found a bug (or it didn't work properly on my system - I forget which. So I put it to one side. Whatever, the reason I'm back today is because I was checking to see if there were any comments and with the intention of trying it again. I wouldn't mind paying 15 euros for it, provided I had a chance to check it out first.
Regards, Dave
I downloaded MP3 Cat (v1.28) a few months ago, and tried it out. I think I found a bug (or it didn't work properly on my system - I forget which. So I put it to one side. Whatever, the reason I'm back today is because I was checking to see if there were any comments and with the intention of trying it again. I wouldn't mind paying 15 euros for it, provided I had a chance to check it out first.
Regards, Dave
Permalink
2006-02-21 @ 00:39
Comment from: Brian [Visitor]
I think mp3cat should be continued as shareware.
Permalink
2006-02-21 @ 05:46
Comment from: Janwillem van Eys [Visitor]
The moment I find a program to index my MP3s, the author wonders if he should stop... Hmm. Just my luck.
I know that giftware (and postcardware, and all other alternative forms we know from the Amiga days) means 'free' for most users.
I Don't mind sending a book (or postcard) to someone for something I like, but Eur 15,- or more means that there are a lot of free alternatives that suddenly are worth checking out. If I pay for software I expect a lot of support, and for a long time too, as opposed to 'good job, here's something for your effort'
I understand you wrote MP3 Cat for yourself, to scratch an itch. Of course there are people who find it useful, and offer suggestions how to make it even better in their opinion (I did :-))
Don't expect to get rich from shareware donations... So I'm afraid you'll end up doing option 1, abandon MP3 Cat. If you do that, please release the source code (not that I can do something with it), but there should be enough people who'd like to continue where you left off.
JAVE
I know that giftware (and postcardware, and all other alternative forms we know from the Amiga days) means 'free' for most users.
I Don't mind sending a book (or postcard) to someone for something I like, but Eur 15,- or more means that there are a lot of free alternatives that suddenly are worth checking out. If I pay for software I expect a lot of support, and for a long time too, as opposed to 'good job, here's something for your effort'
I understand you wrote MP3 Cat for yourself, to scratch an itch. Of course there are people who find it useful, and offer suggestions how to make it even better in their opinion (I did :-))
Don't expect to get rich from shareware donations... So I'm afraid you'll end up doing option 1, abandon MP3 Cat. If you do that, please release the source code (not that I can do something with it), but there should be enough people who'd like to continue where you left off.
JAVE
Permalink
2006-02-21 @ 08:59
Comment from: Andre Porton [Visitor]
Hi Simone
I'm using your program for years now and i think its the only good one out there. I've tried almost every other catalog but none of them are as good (and quick) as yours. I have a large collection of mp3's (150 Gig) and it runs ever so smooth.
The only thing i would like to see changed is a more advanced html-export
option, like splitting your collecting alphabeticly, or in genre's.
I wouldn't mind paying for this!
I hope you don't give up the good work...
Andre
I'm using your program for years now and i think its the only good one out there. I've tried almost every other catalog but none of them are as good (and quick) as yours. I have a large collection of mp3's (150 Gig) and it runs ever so smooth.
The only thing i would like to see changed is a more advanced html-export
option, like splitting your collecting alphabeticly, or in genre's.
I wouldn't mind paying for this!
I hope you don't give up the good work...
Andre
Permalink
2006-02-22 @ 10:26
Comment from: Mário L. Secco [Visitor] · http://www.3dsecco.com.br
I have another sugestion: Transform MP3Cat in a FREE SOFTWARE under GPL, so you will get help of others programers.
Ciao
Ciao
Permalink
2006-02-22 @ 20:12
Comment from: Wiz [Member] 
· http://tellini.info/
· http://tellini.info/
While I released some software under GPL, I don't think it would work for MP3 Cat. The fact that a program is GPL'ed doesn't automatically means you'll find someone else who's ready to spend his time on it, especially if you need a 1000 EUR development environment just to compile it (C++ Builder).
Anyway, even if it were released under GPL, it would be just like option 1 for what I'm concerned, as I would stop developing it.
Anyway, even if it were released under GPL, it would be just like option 1 for what I'm concerned, as I would stop developing it.
Permalink
2006-02-23 @ 08:19
Comment from: Walther Senders [Visitor]
Hi Simone,
as you know from earlier mails, MP3Cat is disclosing an enormous pile of MP3's over here. I decided not to tell anymore how big this pile is, but MP3Cat needs > 2 minutes to start and fully read it's database. And yes, I have a fast machine. I would very much like you to continue your work on MP3Cat, and of course I will buy a license.
Regards, Walther Senders
as you know from earlier mails, MP3Cat is disclosing an enormous pile of MP3's over here. I decided not to tell anymore how big this pile is, but MP3Cat needs > 2 minutes to start and fully read it's database. And yes, I have a fast machine. I would very much like you to continue your work on MP3Cat, and of course I will buy a license.
Regards, Walther Senders
Permalink
2006-02-23 @ 10:59
Comment from: Pádraic Mac Uidhir [Visitor]
15 Euros = 17.8147 U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. That is a reasonable amount for continued improvements/bugfixes and other updates. I still have nearly 10,000 mp3s that need to be corrected, and this application, quite frankly, beats anything else I have used for editing id3v2 tags. Every other similiar application I have used for that task has either suffered from 1.) having *too many* built in functions that I never wanted in the first place, but which 'justified' really expensive registration costs, or 2.) quite often failed to work correctly.
My vote: a payware model is fine with me. MP3Cat does what it does very well. The problems I have experienced thus far that I would like to see 'fixed' are few, and would be worth 18 dollars to me for future fixes that remedy them.
My vote: a payware model is fine with me. MP3Cat does what it does very well. The problems I have experienced thus far that I would like to see 'fixed' are few, and would be worth 18 dollars to me for future fixes that remedy them.
Permalink
2006-02-25 @ 09:41
Comment from: Pádraic Mac Uidhir [Visitor]
An additional comment: do you mind adding more items to your wishlist, Simone? Four items is not much of a choice. :)
Permalink
2006-02-25 @ 09:46
Comment from: mikmak [Visitor]
Simone,
It's a terrific app.
Would be a pity to see it die away.
But I can understand your lack of motivation.
Sure I'd like some more features but as is (since that bug in the search was fixed)is also fine by me.
15 Euros is about $25AUS which I would part with but as mentioned above, I have a lot of 'dead' shareware that has been abandoned by the author and is virtually useless now.
Would payment invite your commitment?
Regardless
thanks for a great little app and all the best for the future.
mikmak
It's a terrific app.
Would be a pity to see it die away.
But I can understand your lack of motivation.
Sure I'd like some more features but as is (since that bug in the search was fixed)is also fine by me.
15 Euros is about $25AUS which I would part with but as mentioned above, I have a lot of 'dead' shareware that has been abandoned by the author and is virtually useless now.
Would payment invite your commitment?
Regardless
thanks for a great little app and all the best for the future.
mikmak
Permalink
2006-02-26 @ 09:39
Trackback from: Wiz [Visitor]
Still thinking about MP3 Cat 2.0...
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who replied to my previous post or on the mailing list for their support.
I still haven't made up my mind about MP3 Cat's future. I guess I'll try the shareware way and see how it goes.
Anyway, while I'm t...
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who replied to my previous post or on the mailing list for their support.
I still haven't made up my mind about MP3 Cat's future. I guess I'll try the shareware way and see how it goes.
Anyway, while I'm t...
Permalink
2006-03-02 @ 16:03
Comment from: Scott [Visitor]
What language is this app written in? I may be interested in buying the rights to developing further. I would keep it freeware, just seems a waste to start from scratch on a project like this... reinventing the wheel, ya know? Please advise whether or not you may be interested in this. Thanks for a great product.
Permalink
2006-03-02 @ 20:10
Comment from: Wiz [Member] · http://tellini.info/
· http://tellini.info/
Here's the answer I sent to Scott, just in case someone else is interested:
I posted an update on my blog this afternoon (*) stating that I'm still
unsure on what to do with MP3 Cat. If you wish to make an offer for the
rights on its source code, feel free to do so: I will certainly evaluate
it.
Currently, MP3 Cat and some support DLL's which I've used in other
products of mine are written in C++ using Borland's C++ Builder 3.0
The WMATags.dll shipped with it has been compiled with Visual C++ 6
instead, because it needs to link with wmvcore.lib and that's not
possible to do with BCB 3 (or at least, it's not as easy as with VC).
Also other third parties libraries have been compiled with Visual C++:
e.g. libvorbis, libxml...
(*) http://www.drakeworld.net/blogs/index.php?blog=5&title=still_thinking_about_mp3_cat_2_0&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
I posted an update on my blog this afternoon (*) stating that I'm still
unsure on what to do with MP3 Cat. If you wish to make an offer for the
rights on its source code, feel free to do so: I will certainly evaluate
it.
Currently, MP3 Cat and some support DLL's which I've used in other
products of mine are written in C++ using Borland's C++ Builder 3.0
The WMATags.dll shipped with it has been compiled with Visual C++ 6
instead, because it needs to link with wmvcore.lib and that's not
possible to do with BCB 3 (or at least, it's not as easy as with VC).
Also other third parties libraries have been compiled with Visual C++:
e.g. libvorbis, libxml...
(*) http://www.drakeworld.net/blogs/index.php?blog=5&title=still_thinking_about_mp3_cat_2_0&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
Permalink
2006-03-03 @ 09:39
Comment from: patrick [Visitor]
I would like to thank for the great program you got here, I just use this program for 1 day and I think I like it.
One thing that I try to do, but I couldn't do it the SEARCH option, I don't know it's my computer or the program got a bug, I'm using mp3CAT 1.28. If you can help me, that's would be awesome, thanks again for the nice program.
Patrick
One thing that I try to do, but I couldn't do it the SEARCH option, I don't know it's my computer or the program got a bug, I'm using mp3CAT 1.28. If you can help me, that's would be awesome, thanks again for the nice program.
Patrick
Permalink
2006-03-07 @ 04:36
Comment from: Wiz [Member] · http://tellini.info/
· http://tellini.info/
There's a little bug in Search in v1.28: if your locale doesn't use . as a time separator, the default values for min and max length won't be initialised correctly.
You should manually enter valid values in those two fields: e.g. 00:00:00 and 99:59:59
You should manually enter valid values in those two fields: e.g. 00:00:00 and 99:59:59
Permalink
2006-03-07 @ 08:01
Comment from: zen [Visitor] · http://www.designerzen.com
Ok...Hold Up! I literally only discovered your program today and have just downloaded it now. I may well get you a gift if its any good... bearing in mind the download link completely hijacked firefox, put pop-unders and cookies everywhere! If you aren't getting paid for them ads, jesus ted, find somewhere else to host it! then the gift is yours :-)
Permalink
2006-04-02 @ 18:00 Leave a comment:
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