Sign In
Register
Help
Post your comments for Synchronize Pro X 6.0 adds 'Fast Scan' here
Page 1 of 1
Synchronize Pro X 6.0 adds 'Fast Scan'
MultiQuote
#3
afternoonsand 
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 20-December 03
Posted 28 April 2008 - 10:34 AM
I too was a long-time Synchronize Pro user until two years ago when their licensing costs and policies became ridiculous. It is there right to change and run their company any way they choose. It is my right to decide how and on what I spend my money. I am now using a product with a little less functionality but I can accomplish what I need to do and at a one-time fee of only $20. Of course I will want future versions if they are made available but I rarely update software licenses each year anyway and the savings over several years is significant.
#4
iluomo
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 19
- Joined: 14-June 03
Posted 28 April 2008 - 01:26 PM
I think it would behoove potential users to read the SPX licensing agreement closely before dismissing it as previous posters have. It says:
"Your license does not expire - the serial number you purchase will always work with the software available at the time of your purchase - but it only works with new versions of the software for two years after your purchase."
In other words, you get not only all updates but the cost of the software include UPGRADES for two years. How many times have you purchased a piece of software that was upgraded within six months after you purchased it and were forced to purchase the upgrade to get the improved functionality? I know it's happened to me and it sucks when it does. Last time I check, even our beloved Apple doesn't cover end users like this. And don't forget that you get a completely uncrippled version to use for 7 days to decide if it works for you. Qdea's seems like pretty fair approach to me.
This is a powerful piece of software that has incredible flexibility for backup and syncing, including smooth network functionality. I am a working Mac consultant and I think, given what's out there, this software is a great solution for some situations. While it is not cheap, IMO, it is not excessively expensive given what it does.
"Your license does not expire - the serial number you purchase will always work with the software available at the time of your purchase - but it only works with new versions of the software for two years after your purchase."
In other words, you get not only all updates but the cost of the software include UPGRADES for two years. How many times have you purchased a piece of software that was upgraded within six months after you purchased it and were forced to purchase the upgrade to get the improved functionality? I know it's happened to me and it sucks when it does. Last time I check, even our beloved Apple doesn't cover end users like this. And don't forget that you get a completely uncrippled version to use for 7 days to decide if it works for you. Qdea's seems like pretty fair approach to me.
This is a powerful piece of software that has incredible flexibility for backup and syncing, including smooth network functionality. I am a working Mac consultant and I think, given what's out there, this software is a great solution for some situations. While it is not cheap, IMO, it is not excessively expensive given what it does.
#5
xebrawerx
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 120
- Joined: 02-July 04
Posted 28 April 2008 - 03:10 PM
I'm with iluomo on this.
I am also a Mac support professional and this has been my favorite backup product for years.
The two year license cost is fair. It not only initially buys you this feature rich product, but it gets you free upgrades for two full years.
If after two years you choose to continue using the product then there is no additional cost.
Good to know of the fast scan option in 6.0. This has been sorely needed in the previous two versions.
I am also a Mac support professional and this has been my favorite backup product for years.
The two year license cost is fair. It not only initially buys you this feature rich product, but it gets you free upgrades for two full years.
If after two years you choose to continue using the product then there is no additional cost.
Good to know of the fast scan option in 6.0. This has been sorely needed in the previous two versions.
#6
cottonM
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 28-April 08
Posted 28 April 2008 - 08:24 PM
>"Your license does not expire - the serial number you purchase will always work with the software >available at the time of your purchase - but it only works with new versions of the software for two >years after your purchase."
>In other words, you get not only all updates but the cost of the software include UPGRADES for two >years.
While this maybe true do not ever lose your copy of the software after the license expires. Qdea will not under any circumstances give you a copy of the version you purchased. Once that version is superseded they no longer will provide the older version. When I attempted to do this after I had a hard drive failure I was met with a curt no way. When I questioned why I could not get what I had purchased (I had renewed the license a couple of times but the old version still worked fine for me) I got what I considered to be a rude reply. They lost me forever as a customer. The rationale had to do with support but I was a loyal customer who supported them for a number of years from the early versions of the program and rather than help me when I needed it they chose to dump me.
The conclusion I reached is that generally this type of licensing substitutes for constant version improvement. Notice that the last major version of the software, 5.0, was released in Feb, 2006. Just about two years. So It worked out the same as if your paid for it a version basis.
>In other words, you get not only all updates but the cost of the software include UPGRADES for two >years.
While this maybe true do not ever lose your copy of the software after the license expires. Qdea will not under any circumstances give you a copy of the version you purchased. Once that version is superseded they no longer will provide the older version. When I attempted to do this after I had a hard drive failure I was met with a curt no way. When I questioned why I could not get what I had purchased (I had renewed the license a couple of times but the old version still worked fine for me) I got what I considered to be a rude reply. They lost me forever as a customer. The rationale had to do with support but I was a loyal customer who supported them for a number of years from the early versions of the program and rather than help me when I needed it they chose to dump me.
The conclusion I reached is that generally this type of licensing substitutes for constant version improvement. Notice that the last major version of the software, 5.0, was released in Feb, 2006. Just about two years. So It worked out the same as if your paid for it a version basis.
#7
afternoonsand
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 20-December 03
Posted 28 April 2008 - 08:51 PM
As I stated in my earlier post I have no problem with the software, it works great. My problem is with the licensing costs and support.
I can purchase a copy of the iLife suite or the iWork suite for less than the price of this software and will use it for many more productive efforts than the Synchronize Pro software.
Again, they have the right to price the product for what they feel it is worth and treat their customers as they choose. If you are comfortable with the price and support by all means purchase and use the software because it works. However, I choose to use a lower cost alternative that works and save the money on the many copies we were using in my company for other purposes.
Guess I should state that I am not in the software business so this is not a competitor comment.
I can purchase a copy of the iLife suite or the iWork suite for less than the price of this software and will use it for many more productive efforts than the Synchronize Pro software.
Again, they have the right to price the product for what they feel it is worth and treat their customers as they choose. If you are comfortable with the price and support by all means purchase and use the software because it works. However, I choose to use a lower cost alternative that works and save the money on the many copies we were using in my company for other purposes.
Guess I should state that I am not in the software business so this is not a competitor comment.
#8
iluomo
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 19
- Joined: 14-June 03
Posted 28 April 2008 - 09:53 PM
Comparing this software to iLife or iWork is not a fair comparison. They don't even do remotely the same thing and Apple absorbs the cost of development of that software because they know it helps push the mac platform. If either were priced as an independent suite of software by someone other than Apple, you can be darn sure they would go for way more than they do. A fair comparison would be to Retrospect or Data Backup or some other backup software. Those pieces of software are in the same ball park in terms of price and purpose. Though, again, SPX is way more potent and ideal for certain circumstances. I'm not saying it's not a bit pricy, but it gives a lot of bang for that buck.
As to losing the software after the license expires, well, that's a bummer, but Qdea is hardly alone in terms having a limited time of availability for downloading or getting a piece of software. Some software companies require you to pay extra to have the ongoing availability to download software you've paid for. Actually, two years is a relatively long time in the technology world. Also, I find it more than a little ironic that your complaining about losing a piece of backup software to a hard drive crash. Why didn't you use the most basic functionality of SPX to backup the original .dmg file or even the app itself, given that it's a drag and drop install? Your original license would have worked. Instead, you'd rather take your ill temper ? which seems to be the result of poor planning on your part ? out on Qdea because they aren't willing to cover you past their clearly stated terms. They are a business, not your buddy.
I'm not going to say I think this developer is going to win any most charming personality awards. I've dealt with them and they aren't the most congenial lot. But their software is great and the licensing is on par with others in many ways. As a result, I think you guys are being way too rough on them based on some not terribly fair arguments.
As to losing the software after the license expires, well, that's a bummer, but Qdea is hardly alone in terms having a limited time of availability for downloading or getting a piece of software. Some software companies require you to pay extra to have the ongoing availability to download software you've paid for. Actually, two years is a relatively long time in the technology world. Also, I find it more than a little ironic that your complaining about losing a piece of backup software to a hard drive crash. Why didn't you use the most basic functionality of SPX to backup the original .dmg file or even the app itself, given that it's a drag and drop install? Your original license would have worked. Instead, you'd rather take your ill temper ? which seems to be the result of poor planning on your part ? out on Qdea because they aren't willing to cover you past their clearly stated terms. They are a business, not your buddy.
I'm not going to say I think this developer is going to win any most charming personality awards. I've dealt with them and they aren't the most congenial lot. But their software is great and the licensing is on par with others in many ways. As a result, I think you guys are being way too rough on them based on some not terribly fair arguments.
#11
minds_eye
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 28-February 01
Posted 29 April 2008 - 05:38 AM
I have worked with this developer since pre-OSX times and have always found him patient, courteous and kind. The software works wonderfully and has capabilities that many similar apps do not, which in my opinion is due to the developer's deep understanding of this subject. Evaluate the software based on your needs and decide from there. For my needs, it has worked wonderfully for many years.
#12
cottonM
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 28-April 08
Posted 29 April 2008 - 06:40 PM
>BTW, the middle portion of my comment was in response to cottomM, just to be clear.
Yep that was pretty clear. My quoting of your earlier post was not meant as a personal attack but intended to respond specifically to a couple of comments you made. You have every right to criticize me (though you don't know my actual circumstances) and defend Qdea's pricing structure. Your advice about back ups would not have worked in this instance and it doesn't address my experience with Qdea.
>I'm not going to say I think this developer is going to win any most charming personality awards. I've dealt with them and they aren't the most congenial lot.
My experience exactly. A more supportive response or even the file would have won a very loyal customer who would be supporting them now like you. It would have cost them absolutely nothing. Zero. Support, I think, means more than sticking to the party line. They did and they lost me. YMMV.
>But their software is great and the licensing is on par with others in many ways. As a result, I think you guys are being way too rough on them based on some not terribly fair arguments.
If it makes you feel better their software work flawlessly for me for years. But clearly some of us don't like this type of licensing scheme and have justifiable reasons.
Yep that was pretty clear. My quoting of your earlier post was not meant as a personal attack but intended to respond specifically to a couple of comments you made. You have every right to criticize me (though you don't know my actual circumstances) and defend Qdea's pricing structure. Your advice about back ups would not have worked in this instance and it doesn't address my experience with Qdea.
>I'm not going to say I think this developer is going to win any most charming personality awards. I've dealt with them and they aren't the most congenial lot.
My experience exactly. A more supportive response or even the file would have won a very loyal customer who would be supporting them now like you. It would have cost them absolutely nothing. Zero. Support, I think, means more than sticking to the party line. They did and they lost me. YMMV.
>But their software is great and the licensing is on par with others in many ways. As a result, I think you guys are being way too rough on them based on some not terribly fair arguments.
If it makes you feel better their software work flawlessly for me for years. But clearly some of us don't like this type of licensing scheme and have justifiable reasons.
Page 1 of 1
