FS-Creations.co.nz

[IslandBoy77]

Hey Mike
It's great that you've got just a "donation" page now that's not specifically tied to an order - now I can drop you those extra chingers I mentioned!

I was wondering how long it is between making a donation-ware order and receiving the link for the download?

Cheers, Peter

[toprob]

QUOTE

Hey Mike
It's great that you've got just a "donation" page now that's not specifically tied to an order - now I can drop you those extra chingers I mentioned! biggrin.gif

I was wondering how long it is between making a donation-ware order and receiving the link for the download?[/quote]

Yes after you mentioned it we thought it was good idea thank you,,

I suggest any site related problems you are having be posted over at my support forum were i can sort these things out more and not flood the forum here .

thanks again its be a awesome day with about 2hrs sleeped early this morning between your breakfast lol

Last edited by creator2003 on Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[toprob]

Wouldn't it make more sense to change 'donationware' to 'demoware'? Donationware applies to software you can download and try, and donate if you like it. Demoware is trying a restricted version to decide if you want to pay for the full version -- pretty much exactly what this is.

[IslandBoy77]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Jul 22 2010, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes after you mentioned it we thought it was good idea thank you,,

I suggest any site related problems you are having be posted over at my support forum were i can sort these things out more and not flood the forum here .

thanks again its be a awesome day with about 2hrs sleeped early this morning between your breakfast lol

Wow - a long day 4 u! I've tried to log in on your website to post a problem with a broken link, but it won't let me login. I've already registered & activated, and logged in permanently, but still no go. You've obviously got a heap of traffic taking place judging by the slow response on the site @ the moment and the fact that my Abel Tasman download is going to take anywhere from 5 to 13 hours to download...

[ctcav8r]

Ahhh Hamilton X!!!!
The one area of scenery that still eludes me!!
Love the screenshots of it on your homepage!!
All the best with the new site - it's looking good

[IslandBoy77]

QUOTE (dbcunnz @ Jul 22 2010, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had no problem downloading got them both in about 30 minutes

I gave up last night. What time did u download yours?

[IslandBoy77]

All good this morning, folks. I obviously hit a very busy patch last night - either with my ISP (Orcon) or overseas traffic to Mike's site. Where I was soing well to get 30-40KB/s last night, I'm getting 450-500+ this morning!

[Adamski]

Mike! It will be hard for you to monitor both this forum and your own, but I'm posting this one here as it already has some relevant posts.

To show good faith I "bought" the two sceneries currently available (no rush for the D/L though - I'm sure you're a busy man!).

However - I see there is now a totally separate "Donations" page. I know we'd all get there in the end, but I think it's way more confusing than it needs to be - and could impact on your sales. You really do want to make this as easy as possible!

I just don't understand the logic of your "donationware". Isn't it just simple PAYware? When I followed the links through to PayPal, it keeps mentioning DONATIONS ... yet I'm not donating anything - I'm *buying*!

There are thousands of free add-ons for MSFS - as well as thousands of payware ones ... all very clearly labelled. I've come across loads of "donationware" items, but they're usually complete, unlimited versions but with a simple plug/plea for some voluntary donation.

Otherwise, it's DEMOware - which is usually the full download but limited in some way when run until paid for/registered.

Confused? I know I am!!!

[creator2003]

My freeware download is free and is a huge area of the best part of each area and so you are under no obligation to donate ever if you please ,if you want more of the same area because you liked the smaller part you can donate to my work ive done in making these areas ,im not charging anything for the scenery or the cost in the imagery ,you wouldnt want to know what it cost for Christchurch , this ive made set donation to cover the cost in hosting and download pipes that have now topped 40 gig with over 20.000+ hits to Fs-creations.co.nz

i have no black areas in ether the freeware or donation versions and are only limited by a download link i send you for supporting my work ..

[Adamski]

Mike - don't take offence ... I'm not questioning the rationale of what you're doing (it's fine) - it's simply the terminology!

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Jul 23 2010, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if you want more of the same area because you liked the smaller part you can donate to my work ive done in making these areas

I still think this is confusing - especially when there's a separate "donations" area on the site. Could the above be something along the lines of "if you like the smaller part you can buy the rest!"?

I'll go run and duck now ... and install your sceneries

[dbcunnz]

It is pretty clear on the website donation page

QUOTE

Website Donations ONLY

Please do not use this Page if you are wanting to Upgrade to FULL Versions of our Photoreal Sceneries[/quote]

Sorry if this is not that clear to you ,the site now has had 30.000 hits and no big problems so far brought to my attention and all donations have gone smooth ,so pretty good going for just over 35 hours live ..
the design of the system and the look is suppose to be different ,maybe some have had to much time at the normal data base forum looking ones that im trying to move away from ..
I hope you guys get use to the system i have , i will be doing on going improvements as time goes on like all my scenerys ,
I suppose theres the point , if i spent all this time trying to get everything right the first time you would not have any scenerys this month or years by me , also i think personally that im filling a big gap and supplying good scenery coverage that are not 100% payware quality but good enough for many users that have had nothing in along time .
anyway thats enough justification for my reasons behind this move from payware to freeware /donation -ware and getting you guys good enough scenery areas to use ..

this is not directed at anyone personally, but i do feel a little picked on when all im trying to do is my "best" to get NZ scenery to you whatever means possible at the lowest cost possible in these hard times

thank you guys for all your support
mike

Last edited by creator2003 on Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[IslandBoy77]

Hey Mike - sorry things aren't as smooth as they could be. You've put a ton of work into both the website & the excellent scenery, and I for one am very grateful for all your hard work. I can see the points that adamski is getting it, but I don't see any "better" way of doing things, and I personally don't find things confusing. It's understandable that right now you just want us all to get stuck into things and use what you've laboured so hard over - the finer points, if relevant, can always be looked at later. Perhaps some are not fully aware of the blood, sweat and sleep you've poured into things over the last couple of 3 years - and when one has been on such an epic mission, even a possibly valid suggestion can just seem like a "gripe".

So, hang in there mate - plenty of us (including adamski, I'd wager) are stoked with your awesome work! I've got the chingers ready for Hamilton & Napier, I assure you...

I hadn't seen such an obvious retardation of the speed in a while - probably because I don't really do a lot of big downloads overall: they happen in patches. Maybe I've just been hitting things right & missing the heavy traffic. Anyway, I got both CHCH & AT downloaded in good time this AM, so I'm a happy camper...

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (IslandBoy77 @ Jul 23 2010, 07:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I gave up last night. What time did u download yours?

According to Mike I was the first one to donate and download the two files and got the AT link just after 1am and had it downloaded by 1.40am got the Christchurch link about 1.45am but had a problem finally got it sorted about 2.15am and had it downloaded by 2.40am.

Doug

[toprob]

Look, I don't mind paying $15 or whatever it was to support you Mike, and thank you for your so far excellent contribution to the NZ FlightSimmers.

But, (and I don't really care, I will happily pay for your stuff in the future) the definitions of donation are:

QUOTE

Definitions of donation on the Web:

* contribution: a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause[/quote]

The keyword being voluntary, the fact that you *have* to pay a 'donation' to get the whole scenery is not voluntary. If it were true Donationware, then you would give away the scenery to anyone who wanted it and if they wanted to make a donation, then it would be happily accepted, but if someone else didn't want to donate then that would be fine too.

Again, I don't really care either way, I have my Christchurch photoreal and am very happy with it, thank you, Mike

Nick

Last edited by NZ255 on Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[toprob]

QUOTE

but continuing to market it as donationware will turn around and bite him in the butt if he is not careful.[/quote]

Why and How can i ask ?

[toprob]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Jul 23 2010, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why and How can i ask ?

Within NZFF you are amongst friends, and it's only right that they support you, but in the general FS community anyone who markets things incorrectly makes people suspicious, as they think that you are trying something on. Most FS users are pretty much aware of the different distribution methods, and how they work, and this may lose you sales.

I think you may have misread my post as a threat or something? It wasn't. As an administrator it is part of my job to clarify things like this, so that members are not mis-informed.

[Adamski]

Eh? I didn't see anything Rob posted as offensive in any way! I wasn't go to add anything to this rather circular debate - but really - we're all trying to HELP Mike. I don't think anything is even remotely meant to be *critical*. Mike - I hope you're not taking this to heart (you do say you feel picked on ).

At the end of the day, you'll probably find the [apparently] critical people here have put their money where their mouth was and donated/bought/whatever-you-call-it your sceneries anyway (myself included). I promise to SHUT UP now ... and I'll post some nice screenies! ... in another thread

[ZK-MAT]

Nice work Mike, good on you for releasing these.

I agree with the Wiki on Donationware here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donationware

Ian, welcome back. With all due respect I think you have missed the intention of previous posts.

My, us simmers are a fiesty bunch. Why?

[toprob]

I'll delete my previous post, which seems to be confusing. Here's what I hope is a more acceptable reply:

Aren't all purchases voluntary?
So really ANYTHING for sale is donationware, since you are not forced to buy it? You can call it whatever you wish, I guess, but it doesn't make it so.
I do hope that Mike does well with this, it's a great effort, but continuing to market it as donationware will backfire on him if he is not careful.

[creator2003]

EDIT: by me
Wiki is only one interpretation of donation-ware and i did seek legal advice before i did anything about all my concerns /site /server etc , and yes at first i did feel picked on / dumb /questioning myself etc on these questions , as time goes on i know what im doing is putting smiles on most users faces ,i know im doing my best and thats all that matters to me and my family ,the kids are over the moon asking me how im going etc , a really awesome feeling , is knowing the dream is alive and there is some direction for my art

Im going to take all this with a pinch of salt like my Nana always said

from now on i think its best to PM me with your concerns/questions like this one ..

upside :the site is doing very well now with over 66.000 hits