[CaptSwerve]

So I tried to log in to AIM using JiveTalk this afternoon and it wasn't working. While I was getting my oil changed, I decided to pull my Pearl out and try to figure out why it wasn't working. Well the last upgrade I had done was 0.6 so I thought I just might need to upgrade. I upgraded to 1.01 (I think) and attempted to connect. It didn't work and told me my license was suspended. I got home and took some screen shots to show the people at BeeJive what my Pearl was showing. I sent the email and decided I'd get something to eat. Within 30 minutes, the customer support at BeeJive had unsuspended my license and emailed me. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to hear anything until tomorrow morning. Thank you BeeJive.

[JerryD]

Just to add to the praise, I was on the Beta test and had some problems, and BeeJive was great at responding to problems.

Unfortunately, I paid for a competing IM program last year, and just can't see spending more on another. However, I'd say Jive Talk is the best flat rate IM client for the BlackBerry I've seen. Some of the other annual fee clients have some neat extra features, but for simple IM, Jive Talk is outstanding!

[john.kmiecik]

JiveTalk is a great program. I used it throughout beta and was pleased with the support and program. Unfortunately, they asked for far too much money. I just don't understand why a handheld prorgam (ANY handled program) costs $30 -- and the $20 license is just robbery to me since I'm 100% positive I will change devices within a year.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by john.kmiecik

I just don't understand why a handheld prorgam (ANY handled program) costs $30 -- and the $20 license is just robbery to me since I'm 100% positive I will change devices within a year.

If the market can handle it, the developers will get it. If not, they will be out of business. If you choose to pay the license, it is not robbery, it is your choice. Don't confuse choice with robbery.

[john.kmiecik]

Originally Posted by JSanders

If the market can handle it, the developers will get it. If not, they will be out of business. If you choose to pay the license, it is not robbery, it is your choice. Don't confuse choice with robbery.

As a beta user, when we were polled about pricing, I gave them an answer - no 'low-cost' single device license. Several other people I know said the same thing. I buy software, I want to be able to use it on the new hardware I may happen to get. Developers can point at this low price point and go "look, we're cheap!" when you're really screwing the end user.

Yes, it's choice. It's not a good choice. It's bull.

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by JSanders

If the market can handle it, the developers will get it. If not, they will be out of business. If you choose to pay the license, it is not robbery, it is your choice. Don't confuse choice with robbery.

Same issue with cars they dont cost 30 grand to make but people pay it and they keep going up.

If jivetalk continues to be the state of the art in IMs they will rake in the cash becuase theres no one to compete with them right now.

I have tried all the IM apps out there in my five years as a BB owner, and no one has come close to the level of service that the creators of Jive talk have done in my opinion.

[JSanders]

Jive Talk is half the cost of its closest competitor which isn't even half as good as good a product as JiveTalk. I guess you and I have different price points as well, but $30 is not expensive for a product I can use for the remainder of my "blackberry life" and any future BB device.

[john.kmiecik]

The car comparison isn't even the same ballgame. I can't buy a used program.

The competitors are even more guilty of price gouging. I'm not saying JiveTalk isn't a great program, it is. It's just way too expensive for an IM client.

[richard371]

I think $30 for this program blows away the competition. I think it is super cheap.

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by john.kmiecik

The car comparison isn't even the same ballgame. I can't buy a used program.

The competitors are even more guilty of price gouging. I'm not saying JiveTalk isn't a great program, it is. It's just way too expensive for an IM client.

maybe not but you got my point

[DaddyFizzle]

The folks at BeeJive are great! I was on the BETA test and had a few issues, Kai at BeeJive took care of me within the hour! Keep up the good work Kai!

[jeremyckitching]

I just want to say that JiveTalk is great. I have used IM+ (which was $50 when I bought it) and this is much better. Anyone want my IM+ license for $30?

[theBorg]

Originally Posted by john.kmiecik

I just don't understand why a handheld prorgam (ANY handled program) costs $30 -- and the $20 license is just robbery to me since I'm 100% positive I will change devices within a year.

I see these sort of comments about cost all the time and would like to add some perspective:

Do you have any idea how much it costs to develop apps like this? This isn't some freeware hack done by an undergrad in his spare time. You need a team of experienced specialist engineers and designers working smart and hard just to design the thing - and then a few guys to sustain it.

A reasonable estimate for just the initial design would be 4 people, 4 months including testing. A very conservative estimate for the cost of an engineer's salary + benefits is $80/hour.

4 ppl x 16 weeks x 40 hours/wk x $80/hr = $204,800

That's 10,000 users @ $20 or 4,000 users @ $50 just to cover development costs... ignoring rent, software tools, electricity, and a pile of computers.

Would you rather have ads with dancing bananas telling you you won a free mortgage to subsidize the thing?

[onth]

Originally Posted by theBorg

I see these sort of comments about cost all the time and would like to add some perspective:

Do you have any idea how much it costs to develop apps like this? This isn't some freeware hack done by an undergrad in his spare time. You need a team of experienced specialist engineers and designers working smart and hard just to design the thing - and then a few guys to sustain it.

A reasonable estimate for just the initial design would be 4 people, 4 months including testing. A very conservative estimate for the cost of an engineer's salary + benefits is $80/hour.

4 ppl x 16 weeks x 40 hours/wk x $80/hr = $204,800

That's 10,000 users @ $20 or 4,000 users @ $50 just to cover development costs... ignoring rent, software tools, electricity, and a pile of computers.

Would you rather have ads with dancing bananas telling you you won a free mortgage to subsidize the thing?

Well said.

I really dont understand why some people are being so greedy.

When there is no option, they complain about it. When there comes a great option with a good life time product support, unlimited upgrade, unlimited device transfer, with only a small one time fee, they complain about it being expensive. Some people just want a FREE but the BEST product. Sure, in your perfect world.

If you can afford to pay a $19.99 (the cheapest) monthly data plan, why cant you pay $30 ($1/day for a month) / ($0.08/day for a year) one time fee for a great program?

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by onth

Well said.

I really dont understand why some people are being so greedy.

When there is no option, they complain about it. When there comes a great option with a good life time product support, unlimited upgrade, unlimited device transfer, with only a small one time fee, they complain about it being expensive. Some people just want a FREE but the BEST product. Sure, in your perfect world.

If you can afford to pay a $19.99 (the cheapest) monthly data plan, why cant you pay $30 ($1/day for a month) / ($0.08/day for a year) one time fee for a great program?

Thats the best response yet. It doesnt get any better than lifetime support. If you change devices three times next year thats 90 bucks you saved on software.

[blakeatl]

Only thing that surprised me was the thought of being a beta tester would warrant a free license. I more than likely will pay for it, I just thought I would be getting it for free since I did help out some in the testing.

[onth]

The beta testing was opened for public for quite a while. Basically more than half of the active member in this forum help out in beta testing it and offer a couple suggestion. If everyone is granted for free license, what is the point for the paid license in any way?

They did offer free license for some people that really contribute a lot in beta testing.

[john.kmiecik]

Thanks for blowing my opinion out of proportion and stuffing words in my mouth, everyone. I appreciate it. Since it appears I'm the worst thing to ever happen to humanity (hey, it worked for a couple of you to go way off track!) I'll exit the thread. Enjoy.

[theBorg]

Wirelessly posted (7100t: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0; Google Wireless Transcoder;))

John. Dude. It's not a personal attack. Its a discussion. Apologies anyway

Let's everyone keep in mind that most of the quality, free apps we've become accustomed to come from multi-million dollar (if not multi-billion) companies. Or, in the case of open source software, a mammoth amount of effort by many kind souls.

I, myself, am willing to pay for quality.

[theBorg]

Wirelessly posted (7100t: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0; Google Wireless Transcoder;))

John. Dude. It's not a personal attack. Its a discussion. Apologies anyway

Let's everyone keep in mind that most of the quality, free apps we've become accustomed to come from multi-million dollar (if not multi-billion) companies. Or, in the case of open source software, a mammoth amount of effort by many kind souls.

I, myself, am willing to pay for quality.