The one thing that amazes me that nobody seems to mention is Macrium auto downloads an advertisement banner that is shown in a PURCHASED version of the software, which I'd expect it in the free version but a purchased version? That is so unprofessional but these are the same idiots, who claimed people prefer to pay each year for software than buy it outright. If anyone wants to use Reflect X with the trial disabled, so you can evaluate it for longer. Send me a message.
I think it's the first time that I've personally seen advertising on paid software. If it was on Reflect Free, then that's understandable.
Yes, that bothers me indeed. But since I don’t think I can change Macrium (the company) I (only) asked here how to hide the ad (see a few posts before).
No ads here whatsoever, I think I will stick to V8 until they force me to upgrade. Out of curiosity I checked ShadowProtect which is now supported by Arcserve and the price for annual subscrption is basically the same as Reflect. Well tempting indeed, but Reflect has never failed once, ShadowProtect too was absolutely reliable, time will tell...
Exactly. I actually have multiple paid pieces of software that are displaying banners for new or additional products and services. Microsoft being the worst at the moment. We can't act like this is some exclusive horrible thing. I'm sure the product is fine and if not they'll fix any issues any are having. The new licensing model is a personal choice to support or not. There probably isn't much left to say that hasn't been said.
You can possibly make an unforced error in this situation. I see three possible outcomes to this customer rebellion: 1) Enough people purchase the subscription license to make it tolerable for Paramount to do nothing beyond deleting the youtube customer comments. 2) Revenue decline is sufficient to force Paramount to again offer perpetual licenses to everybody. 3) Revenue decline is sufficient to force Paramount to again offer perpetual licenses only to people currently holding perpetual v8.1 licenses. I see number 3 as both the least ugly for Paramount and most likely. If you surrender your perpetual v8.1 license, you are likely giving up your best chance of ever being offered a perpetual Reflect v10 license. IMHO
~Comments and link removed~ Holding users hostage with a "pay up each year or we'll cripple the software", so screw them and anyone else who defends such a business practice.
Is linking to resources that facilitate/promote software piracy permitted on this forum now? I can understand continuing to use Reflect even if you might not like the subscription model. I can also understand being so upset with Macrium about this change that you choose to take your business elsewhere. But I've never understood the entitlement behind the mindset of, "I'm going to use your product, but on my own terms, not the ones you as the product creator have offered." If I want to purchase a physical product and the seller wants $20 for it, I can pay them $20, or walk away, or maybe try to negotiate. But I don't get to simply take their product and give them $10 just because I felt that was a fairer price.
It's a damn shame to see a great program and company die. But that's the way things happen. There will always be something else to come along and replace it. As they say; "No one and nothing is irreplaceable."
And where do you get the facts that support your opinion? Or is it just emotional opinion-making out of frustration?
Which part of that statement needed facts to support it. 1. It's a shame? or b. There are other products to replace it? Either it is a shame or it is not. Either one is fact requiring no proof. Or are we to assume there are never any other competing products that will ever take its place, something that has never happened in the history of computer software?
Why? If you give them the $10 then at least they made $10. The other way they make no sales and make no monies. Macrium might not be as ahead as they wanted to be, but something is better than nothing.
I was referring to the statement that Macrium is a dying company. Where is the proof? Do you have access to the financials and profit and loss statements? Or are these just confused claims?
I definitely think Reflect will survive, the million dollar question is whether their strategy will pay off in the future. Paid competition is not far from their pricing model. I honestly don’t think they do it because of greed, although it is good to have competing products offering cheaper alternatives.
It’s still the seller’s choice whether to accept a lower price or refuse it. You as the buyer simply don’t get to decide what you’re willing to pay and then expect the seller to either accept it or tolerate theft because “something is better than nothing”. I can’t believe this basic fact of civilized society has to be spelled out. And no, something is NOT always better than nothing. Even ignoring the fact that the seller has costs of goods and doing business, if word gets out that a seller is willing to accept half of their asking price, then subsequent customers who WOULD have paid the original asking price will instead expect the same 50% discount. Sometimes passing on the lowball offers is better for business overall.
It's people who think like that which enable new Macrium CEO to think that switching to expensive "rent" model is acceptable. Well no, no it's not. AndMacrium will feel that result of that change it their bottom line. Macrium might be British, but here in the USA we use rebellion to get things done if need be. They seem to have forgotten that.
People who think that “take what I decide to give you or I’ll just steal it from you” isn’t an acceptable way to conduct business are the problem here?? I live in the US too, and I’m pretty sure that approach would still get me arrested. And rebellion over subscription-based software Will stop feeding the troll now
