Should I extend my license (!)

[Ekonomist]

I received a reminder email about renewing my license to access new versions.

Last year, when I renewed my license, it was version 2.3.6. A full year later, now it is 2.3.8!

As you all remember, we were all waiting for version 2.4. Because that was the expectation! Based on that statement, I had renewed it early.

My license is about to expire, and I need your opinion on whether to renew it.

What would you do?

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I understand the well-intentioned approaches of some friends. However, I don't use support. I just want something new. The fee isn't excessively high, but due to the exchange rate in my country, it represents a significant cost for us. Most importantly, I want value for my money. Thank you everyone.

 

[Mr. Jinx]

Why would you renew early?
You can legally keep using your forum with an expired license, just no updates and support.
As soon as they release a new version, you could decide to renew your license. That's usually how I do it.

 

[wmtech]

There is a chance that 2.4 will be released within the next year.
But there also is a chance it won't.

Nobody can answer that for sure. The people who could, won't.

 

[Mr Lucky]

Why would you renew early?

There isn’t really such a thing as renewing early, you can renew at any time, including while the licence is still active. Renewal during a valid licence adds a year to the (future) end of that licence, it doesn’t cut off the licence. If you renew after a licence has expired, it doesn’t start at the previous expiry date, it starts from the date of renewal.

 

[Ricsca]

I have a feeling that with version 2.4 (which they may also call 3) they'll change the license, which will be mandatory to renew every year, like Invision did...
We'll see

 

[Alvin63]

I think it's worth renewing annually and keeping up to date as I go along.

 

[Suzanne O]

Yes you should. If you don't and need to submit a suport ticket then you're screwed.

 

[JamesBrown]

have a feeling that with version 2.4 (which they may also call 3) they'll change the license, which will be mandatory to renew every year,

Makes good sense to me. And version 3 would be a great place to start a new xF subscription model.

I use the writing software Scrivener, which is based on the buy once model, I used it for years and years for just £40 and when a new major version came out they offered me upgrade pricing. Me and many others paid full price, it was certainly worth it and we wanted the developer to earn some money.

It's been a few years since that upgrade, it still does a great job but development is slow. I really wish they would move to an annual licence model, get some cash in and speed up the development. I wish the same for xF too.

 

[Rene_V]

I think it's worth renewing annually and keeping up to date as I go along.

It's worth imo too.

 

[smallwheels]

I have a feeling that with version 2.4 (which they may also call 3) they'll change the license, which will be mandatory to renew every year, like Invision did...

Do you have any foundations for your "feeling" that in both aspects you mention is in direct opposite of what Chris has officially stated? Or do you just like to spread FUD?

 

[Mr. Jinx]

There isn’t really such a thing as renewing early, you can renew at any time, including while the licence is still active. Renewal during a valid licence adds a year to the (future) end of that licence, it doesn’t cut off the licence. If you renew after a licence has expired, it doesn’t start at the previous expiry date, it starts from the date of renewal.

Yeah I know that, but that was not my point.

 

[Ekonomist]

Yes you should. If you don't and need to submit a suport ticket then you're screwed.

There's nothing to worry about. This forum and other support forums are already quite helpful for support.

 

[Ekonomist]

I think it's worth renewing annually and keeping up to date as I go along.

Yes, I also want to stay up-to-date, but I don't think that just means updating from 2.3.6 to 2.3.8.

 

[smallwheels]

Why would you renew early?

1. To support the company and the ongoing development .
2. To be at ease if you ever need support beyond of what the forum delivers

The license extension is not overly expensive in my eyes, so it is no big deal. Also: If you don't renew regularly basically the virtual contract "money vs. development" between you and XF has ended once your license expires. Which means: They have no moral obligation to ever release something new plus they have less funding to develop something new continuously. To say "i will renew once something new has come out" ignores that fact and you have in fact no right to complain about slow or delayed release cycles when you are technically not even an active customer.
To renew only when there is an interesting update is absolutely legal - but a bit stupid as it takes power from your voice (so lowers your influence) and may lead to effects you won't like like changing the licensing modell, raising the prices etc. .

"I will renew only when there's an update" changes indeed a pretty relaxed, cheap and friendly licensing situation into a simple business model based on money and a friedly trust-based community relationship into something that you will find at the average software company that couldn't care less for you but are mainly very interested in the contents of your wallet and how to get more of it. Which would only be fair as you have already proven first that you as well are only interested in the content of their wallet (new software).

 

[Alvin63]

The other thing is, with a Xenforo update, various addons also release new updates. I just like to be up to date and not have to work out which addons need updating when if I don't update Xenforo, or accidentally update an addon that was only intended to be updated after a Xenforo update. It just keeps life simple to update everything at once.

 

[Mr. Jinx]

1. To support the company and the ongoing development .
2. To be at ease if you ever need support beyond of what the forum delivers

??? That was not my point

 

[Alvin63]

I think not renewing is just deferring the necessary, but if money is tight then deferring could be an option.

 

[alfaNova]

While XenForo is a business and not a charity, you should only renew if the update holds value for you. I am personally waiting for a more significant update before renewing. However, you should go ahead and renew now if you want to support the ongoing development of the platform or if you want the peace of mind that comes with official support should you ever face an issue the community can't solve.

 

[smallwheels]

??? That was not my point

So what was your point then? Seems you formulated it in a way that no one understands and you ask a question while you do not want answers to it. Maybe you should clarify what you wanted to say, including making your point explicit.

 

[Ekonomist]

Everyone has looked at the situation from a different perspective. I'm aware of what you've said and I agree with you. However, there's another point I'd like to focus on. Ty.