AppDefend v1.300 Alpha screenshots

Well as most programmers would tell you, estimating release dates is very tricky as unexpected things come up, when you are writing code at the kernel level and doing more R&D than actual coding it is even worse. Most companies do not give release dates for this reason, however I think it's good to at least give my estimate as long as it's in the knowledge it can change.

I am one of only a few still doing extremely low level coding in ALL aspects of what I do, and that also takes more time and makes estimation trickier. When other companies are moving to DELPHI, .NET or other bloatware solutions to ease their development time I instead spent a few months to write a low level competitor to that which pushed back the release date but also gives my software an advantage.

7+ products (not including updates) over 3 years isn't too bad an output in my opinion. I can certainly understand the frustration about AppDefend since it has been in ALPHA for so long now, but a lot (not all) of the reasons for that were out of my control. But as can be seen by the recent releases (GhostShell) plus the release of the screenshots and estimates for AD/RD, I am serious about updating the public more on the developments as they occur.

Until there is a final non alpha release of AppDefend though I can certainly understand the frustrations/anger that some people have, but I am doing my best to make sure that it is as quick as possible.

 

Well, firstly thank's for responding, at least we know your still there, but you still seem to be missing the point Jason, it's not just about release date's that come and go, it's not about Ghostwall or Ghostshell and the fact people feel your playing for time!

Hello...Earth to Jason, we are upset about the total lack of *REAL* communication from you, I mean, where is AppDefend in the scheme of thing's, is it half way finished?, almost finished?, what are you working and why is it taking time? , these and other fact's we all need to know, but you have cut us off and we all feel frustrated

So telling us this "I am serious about updating the public more on the developments as they occur." is total meaningless, as you have failed to do this over and over, we don't trust you or believe anymore, personally it's all very nice what you said, but your never going to back it up, oh...sure you will keep it up for a lil' while, but eventually it will fade like everything else you have said and done, we need action that is backed up, or in another words, you need to put your money where your mouth is, which you have up to this point been so wonderful at...haven't you

Maybe you need to spend less time in the kernel, and more time with your paying customers, I mean we aren't asking for all the time in the world, just enough time to answer support question's , or to fill us in on how's the development is going, we aren't asking for the source code for Christ sake, just to be filled in on where your at in the scheme of thing's, geez, is that so much to ask for Jason, but it seems so

Fluffy

 

Other than bitterly complaining, what's your point? If you can't stand the heat (of a one man operation), then get out of the proverbial kitchen. Why stick around and complain if this doesn't meet your needs?

Sorry to be so blunt, but...

 

Better have a good product which works flawlessly on all systems then rush it out and having to fix those bugs afterwards.
BTW Responding here continuesly means time taken away from further development.
Keep up the good work Jason.

 

If your message was to me:

My point is: I paid 80.00usd based on a promise of a finished product... that was over 2 years ago. I was also one of the people left holding the bag by DCS... I complain to make others aware of what is going on... those who may be thinking of making the same stupid move that I did...

It is also about Jason not keeping his customer base informed. The people who paid as I did... the people who supported his development of RD and AD so he could pay bills, eat, have a roof over his head... So yes, I have every right to complain. I paid for something I never got.

BTW did you buy RD and AD?

 

As far as Jason taking time away from development by keeping us informed in a timely manner... a minute is not going to throw his development time-line out the window. Besides, it is a moot point given that Jason does not do that anyway... Other developers keep their customers informed... collectively we are investors in Jason's enterprise... we are entitled to some answers... it is our money, after all, that permitted him to work on this at his leisure. It was also a matter of trust... I supported Jason because I trusted him...

And last... It is a matter of principle too. It is a matter of doing the right thing... you ask for people to support your efforts financially and you have an obligation based on that... My, what a novel concept... It is called business ethics, another novel concept...

 

Jason, This isn't about seven other products... this is about AD/RD, the products we paid you to develop based on your asking for support and your promises... As I pointed out to another poster... this is about the people who helped pay your bills... US... and what we got in return... Ghostshell, isn't what we paid for, and pointing to it is nothing but obfuscation of the really issue here. You took peoples money, you are obligated to deliver what you promised in a timely manner... Why were you working on Ghostshell when you should have been working on AD/RD? that was what we invested in... not Ghostshell... your using that as an example of your diligence only serves to refute that claim...

 

I agree!

 

Here as well! Put up or shut up!

 

What's the point to keep complaining over and over and i mean Hillsboro and MsFluffyMuffin. You made your point very clear, does the whole world constantly need to know you guys are frustrated
So you guys paid a license for the product and the prediction of the release date isn't what you expected from Jason. You guys got your reasons to be disappointed and already screaming to switch to other products. So why continue spamming the forum? Are you trying to force Jason to release his product asap? Would you be happy using a tool which isn't protecting your system fully as it should be? Many customers complain about MS products because MS often failed to deliver software without security holes.

I think it's useless to spam this forum and get a life will ya

 

No, I did not pay for software (AppDefend) that Jason was giving away free.

 

@ Jason: Here's what I feel you need to do to improve :-


1). Better communication with your customers.

2). 6 monthly major software releases, with builds in between to fix any bugs etc...

3). Drop the lifetime licence, make AppDefend etc... subscription based, say every year or two.

4). Give us all a free laptop...haha.....just kidding on this one


Anyhow thats what I feel, and I don't care what anyone else thinks

Fluffy

 

Since this thread was originally about the latest screenshots, does anyone have any images of the network protection, or at least know if it has good rules based out bound protection, sorry just curious about the latest developments with AD , I'm not ready to test the Alpha out, a Beta build for sure

Basically I still really like AD & RD, the interface is brilliant, so is the layout of the alerts, nothing even comes close to AD or RD for that, Jason has done a wonderful job on them, I guess that's one of the main reasons I got mad with him, I really like GSS so much, I would like to continue using Jason's software, I just wish he could be more communicative with us, that's all!

Fluffy

 

The network control in the most recent alpha release is pretty much the same as before. Just the basic allow/deny options. I've been using the latest alpha for quite a while now and its pretty good in its current form. I've had no major issues with it, some slight bugs but nothing major.

 

Thanks farmerlee, I guess I was hoping for a more advanced out bound control, it would be nice if AppDefend had a firewall, I would like to lighten the load on my poor computer with so many individual security apps, through I'm not in love with suites.

A lot of people don't like over lapping features or functions in security apps, but experience has taught me different, it only takes a split seconds moment lack of concentration and you can let some nasty access the internet, but with a second firewall or out bound control in your HIPS it can save your bacon big time

Fluffy

 

Oviously a troll.

 

Another read, much more likely by the way, is one of a hopeful customer, who has clearly been disappointed in the vendor, posting a mix of the hope and disappointment.

Blue

 

It never ceases to amaze me how some people can so easily rationalize abusive language.

 

Not every emotion laden post is a troll, sometimes it's simply an emotional vent.

Blue

 

By any name, it's still abuse.

 

With all due respect, that's not necessarily the case. It's called voice of the customer and if you've ever been involved in an exercise to obtain this in a commercial setting, you would know that unfiltered comments are the most informative and valuable to a vendor, even if the message is one that they'd rather not hear. At times the communication is impolite, and occasionally that's needed to get the salient points across.

Blue

 

I don't disagree with the generalities you state. But with regards to MsFuffyMuffin's numerous 'comments' (and some other's ), many of us feel the same frustrations but take a more constructive approach.

In terms of needing abusive language to 'get the salient points across' to Jason, I'm not sure I would agree with you in this case.

 

Just a final comment from me and, at the end of the day, perhaps we'll simply have to accept that we interpret things differently...

Constructive is both in the eye of the beholder and final result obtained. Gentle comments offered calmly are not constructive if no positive action results. That is the path followed by many over the past couple of years, with decidedly mixed results. Perhaps we're at a tipping point. Dissatisfied customers have two extreme paths that they may follow - a silent exit or a loud cry that "they want this to succeed, but it's not working for them at the moment". There's a lot of ground in between.

I'm not one to dismiss the loud cries as trolls. If past timelines were much shorter, and a visible presence far greater, my view might align with yours. However, the timelines are quite long and the visible presence has been rather short for an extended period. That combination is not a good one....

Blue

 

General reply/comment here to those taking exception to my taking Jason to task:

When this is taken in perspective of the DCS debacle, I think there is some room to see my frustration. That and the fact that this is the only thing I have ever said negative on Wilders in the 4 years I have been coming here.

Why? Because I see another DCS here in what Jason is doing... Promises unfulfilled while he continues to take peoples money... Remember TDS? I knew Jason when he was at DCS... He was, in my estimation, one of the few bright spots that remained... he started GS and I supported him as did many others... things turned out to be deja vu... The DCS debacle writ smaller

This isn't a matter of not liking the software, or Spamming, or Needing to get a life as some of the pundits have suggested. Most of whom have not spent a €/$ with Jason.

There are products I have bought that I don't like so I move on to something better But they were products that were supported and upgraded... I got what I paid for... life goes on... This is a whole different issue... anyone reading the DCS debacle can see the parallels... This is about not stopping Jason... but about stopping him from collecting money until he delivers as he promised...

This is about Cavet Emptor... Letting people know the other side of this so they can make an informed decision before succumbing to the nag screens on on AD/RD... So they know if they do invest they are supporting someone hobby, not a professional development effort... Jason made this clear when he pointed out work he has done in the interim on everything but what he has collected money for.

 

He gave unlimited licenses and the never expiring free beta. Everyone could have had this product for free.

This is not the action of someone who wants to con people out of money.

I think he got overwhelmed. His business sense leaves much to be desired. He has to keep the customers happy. This means timely communication - which has been reminded of over and over. Also, while we like to see a good product that works well, we don't want to wait forever for the "perfect" product. Jason may be a "perfectionist" when it comes to his coding but in business that could be a disaster.

Edison had the same issue when he invented his light bulb. It took him forever and he finally created a good one which he marketed. He could have tried for another few years and even gotten a better one. The moral is there has to be a point when you let go and push the product into the market. Besides, that is the only way would get valuable and needed product feedback from the mass market.

He made a mistake putting out his new freebie Ghostshell, even if it will later aid him in his development of AD and RD. It gave the wrong impression. He should just state (with timely updates) that he's working on AD and RD and if Ghostshell was a side effect of his development, then release it after the AD and RD release. Now he has Ghostshell threads and is resolving issues for the Ghostshell users instead of concentrating on the commercial products.