From: John Bacus <jbacus@gmail.com>

Date: August 7, 2012 9:59:53 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Macs and Science

I appreciate the difficulties of keeping Astro IIDC going— I'm in the software business myself, working on an application for Mac OS X. I just bought my first copy of Astro IIDC a few short weeks ago and was unable to find anything better on the market. Pity to see an end so soon. The economics of this business model are tough, though. No question about it. I can't imagine that amateur CCD astrophotography on Mac OS X is a huge market in even the best of times.

Milton: any chance we could convince you to open your source before shutting down for good? Maybe if we're able to hustle up enough license sales for the next three months of your time? Maybe you know the history of Blender?

Alternately, would you be willing to issue a "golden key" that at least leaves Astro IIDC usable for folks who buy new cameras/computers in the next year or so? Again, perhaps if we are able to support three more months of your development effort?

I probably already know the counterarguments to the above ideas, but it is worth asking ;-) If all else fails, I'm hiring talented Mac OS X developers. There are precious few folks in the world who have proven able to ship and maintain a complex app like yours for as long as you have.

hats off!

john

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