From: Bill Pearce <bill@neoimagers.com>
Date: September 18, 2012 5:08:00 PM MDT
To: "Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com" <Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] No Golden Key, No Future?
So, I bought the software in June, and after 4 months, no more support, and I can't even reinstall it if I have a camera or Mac problem, and have to replace either one (unless i come up with another $500, that's $615 since June). I feel like the "squeeze" is on. All I would ask is that support be offered to those that have supported you. This could be at your convenience, of course. I understand that this is your liveleyhood, but I think we feel a little abandoned. I buy all my software (that I can afford), and don't give out serial numbers to anyone. I feel that if I buy software, I should be able to install it by just using a registration key assigned to me. I wouldn't expect support for future operating systems, as that would be my problem. I would at least appreciate that option.
Sorry, as I've already stated, I've been holding this in for quite a while.
Bill
On Sep 18, 2012, at 17:57, Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com> wrote:
The Golden Key was never intended for "Rich People". Please re-read
the pre amble before the Golden Key on the web site.
It was intended for the business, research institutes, medical
facilities and educational customers that have purchased multiple
licenses. I have some customers whom have 20+ licenses and have
purchased $100,000 worth of cameras and switching to Windows again is
a major expense and issue for them.
Most of you can more or less simply switch to VMWare Windows and use
the free software that ships with the manufacturers cameras. You can
use the free Registax which from some of you is "superior" in every
way as I have been told. If you buy Windows PC's, you can save a tonne
of money over a Mac too and have more hardware options as well. Maybe
it isn't as elegant or as stable - but there simply are not enough Mac
users doing imaging to make it work.
Lastly, I do not understand what you people expect me to do. I have
given you 13 MAJOR Updates over 4 years including a complete re-write
from PowerPC to x86 FOR FREE. Over the past 8 years I have invested
$250,00 in development time and at least $20,000 in hardware for
testing. I have ALWAYS been around for support - either on this list
or direct e-mail - days, night or weekends and when I'm on vacation
too. I have tapped into my RRSP retirement savings TWICE over this
past year to keep Astro IIDC going - basically putting my retirement
in jeopardy. I have cut my expenses to the bare bones and I'm lucky
if I spend $10 a week on "entertainment" and shop at the cheapest
grocery places I can to keep things afloat. But I apparently it
doesn't matter what I do it will never be enough for some of you.
Frankly, the easiest thing for me was to simply put up an HTML message
saying it's done and shut my doors and leave you all high and dry.
That is what most companies do when going under. I gave people notice
so they can download the final versions (FOR FREE) and get their final
licenses purchased and do as much as I can going forward. I frankly
would make more money flipping burgers at McDonald's for minimum wage
that I make off the Golden Key or Astro IIDC sales - and I wouldn't
have the stress, sleepless nights and chronic exzema for my efforts.
I'm partially sorry for the rant, but I am at the point that October
31 can't come along fast enough - especially judging from the spite
full e-mails I have received.
Milton Aupperle
On 18-Sep-12, at 3:04 PM, Bill Pearce wrote:
Depends if your license is tied to the camera or Mac. But it really
doesn't matter as either could go bad before the other. I've only
had my version since June 1st, and Astro IIDC was recommended by a
member of the Lunt Solar group. Looks like I'll be in the same
boat. I'm on disability, so the extra $500 is not an option for me
(especially with one in College). Looks like I'll be going down with
the ship. I guess it's a good thing I've got a newer Mac. I can only
hope my camera and Mac hold out. This is just too sad an end for
all of us without unlimited funds, as I really had to scrape up the
initial cost.
Feel free to flame me, but I've been holding this in since the
beginning of the end.
Bill
On Sep 18, 2012, at 15:55, "daffyddsant" <usenet@davidillig.com>
wrote:
Will I be able to move my Astro IIDC from an old Mac to a new one
without a golden key?
Thanks,
David
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Milton J. Aupperle
President
ASC - Aupperle Services and Contracting
Mac Software (Drivers, Components and Application) Specialist
#1106 - 428 Chaparral Ravine View SE.
Calgary Alberta T2X 0N2
1-(403)-453-1624
milton@outcastsoft.com
www.outcastsoft.com
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