Thoughts on the new "Gold" menu in 2.1.5
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It does. This is all about money making and the distribution and user base is now a size that some believe will carry the gold pot into the bank.
What they dont realize is that people are leaving and its not more than a fork away from beeing run over by people that wants to keep it OS andf transparent…
And I suppose you have quantifiable metrics to show "people are leaving" as opposed to anecdotal feelings that the world is coming to an end because a change was made that you don't agree with?
You're looking at the picture that's 6" in front of you. What you don't see is that in time, Gold will be more integrated with the product and become an extension of pfSense in ways that don't exist today. How are you contributing to the project?
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I'm running 2.2 alpha, I fired up a ESXI VM of 2.1.4, cleared all temporary downloads and caches. I then shut that down and fired up 2.2 again. Wallah, I reproduced your problem… Clear the catch again, delete temp files. It will fix the problem.
As to the <gold>menu. It is exactly what you said, $100 gets you better documentation in the updated books ie. lowest level of "commercial support".. Adding that <gold>menu to highlight the "Commercial Support" doesn't hurt a single thing.
I just paid my $100 to support the project and for the documentation. It costs lots of /gold>s for the servers and bandwidth, besides the time to manage the development. I get the same exact software you do. :)
Note to the development team, I hope you were kidding about the "Ask Toolbar"…. LMAO...
I just want to add that it's specifically the broken UI that I have a major problem with. The Gold idea in general is kinda against what I took pfSense to be about where the software is free and on point with the commercial support being the paid for part. Please don't turn into a sonicwall.</gold></gold>
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Note to the development team, I hope you were kidding about the "Ask Toolbar"…. LMAO...
Oh, it's coming… right after we re-write pfSense in Java.
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@gonzopancho:
Note to the development team, I hope you were kidding about the "Ask Toolbar"…. LMAO...
Oh, it's coming… right after we re-write pfSense in Java.
Really, that is not even funny, shudder ;)
I would like to find more ways to help, I am off to sign up for gold though, then I need to figure out where I can help out…
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Watchguard re-wrote their web interface for smaller boxes in Flash. You have to try hard to beat that. ;D
I have no problem with the 'Gold' menu heading as long as it's a place holder for future offerings. I did expect to find the auto-config-backup there but if that's being considered for general availability anyway I can see why it's not. It seems fairly unobtrusive to me.
Steve
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I really don't think pfsense is going to "end as a free product", and I don't see that anyone is going to fork and constantly patch pfsense "CentOS style" just to remove this "Gold Menu" from the UI. Nor do I believe ESF is going to turn it into crippleware, break stuff, etc just to drive sales/donations, at least there are no indications yet of that. All of these calls of doom and gloom are currently unfounded, in my opinion.
There is certainly the aesthetics concern, but just as important is the consistent functionality of the system as a whole. However with this, there is bit more to the story than "we're just adding a menu". If a good place was needed to just put some new features tied to the gold service, why not just add an item under "Services" called "Gold", and then add tabs for all the new features (both free and paid) as they were developed.
There have obviously been some further proposed changes from the GIT commit (which in fairness, were subsequently withdrawn) to further highlight, change the background colors of the images and themes and otherwise draw attention to this "Gold" menu in future releases. That to me doesn't sound so much like "we're adding features for our "members" to enjoy" as it looks like subtle, persistent advertising. Am I wrong in this view? I don't see anything wrong with promoting the service in pfsense in a non-intrusive manner (ala the initial wizard, as a link in the backup area/auto updater, or you know, Help->Paid Support) but by shoving it front and center as seems to be the goal, well you might as well wrap it in <blink>tags.
If I'm not able or don't want to use the perks of a Gold membership, either because I'm not interested or didn't pay for them (which is totally fair), why should everyone have a "Gold" main menu by default? Isn't that what the Packages system already addresses quite well? Install the "Gold Member" (lol) package, and let it do the modification to the GUI so that I can have the all the features that require a "Gold account" should I so desire, and let the unmodified "base" GUI run as a standalone system not requiring these account based features.</blink>
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I wrote "shareware" in the 90's. And, I will tell you, hiding the "donation" page in a help menu gets you 0 donations, and 5,000 support questions. That turns your hard work, that started out as fun, into a job. Put the donation information where they had to look at it? I still had the 5,000 support questions, but guess what? I got donations.
In my opinion nobody is going to see the pfSense web interface but those administering the network. Why are you worried about that? If you're running pfSense in a business, it's FREE! Nobody's going to see that <gold>but your administrators, might guilt you into contributing a minimum support contract, but you don't have too.
Either way, what does it matter? You have a group of guys/gals that are managing and pushing the development of this project and dealing with the support and want to charge for that support… Trust me the support is much harder then the development; believe it or not, it is. The Software is free for those that don't need the help. And what account based features? Auto Config Backup? that's a package you have to install.
I guess I just don't get the problem... ???
PS... I liked the <gold>menu item when it had the gold background.
If I'm not able or don't want to use the perks of a Gold membership, either because I'm not interested or didn't pay for them (which is totally fair), why should everyone have a "Gold" main menu by default? Isn't that what the Packages system already addresses quite well? Install the "Gold Member" (lol) package, and let it do the modification to the GUI so that I can have the all the features that require a "Gold account" should I so desire, and let the unmodified "base" GUI run as a standalone system not requiring these account based features.</gold></gold>
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Watchguard re-wrote their web interface for smaller boxes in Flash. You have to try hard to beat that. ;D
Challenge accepted!
I have no problem with the 'Gold' menu heading as long as it's a place holder for future offerings. I did expect to find the auto-config-backup there but if that's being considered for general availability anyway I can see why it's not. It seems fairly unobtrusive to me.
It would have been in, but I was trying to get <something>in for 2.1.5, just so we could shake-out all of the breakage before 2.2-RELEASE.</something>
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I was happy to see the Gold in the toolbar. It makes it quicker and easier to find the Gold stuff.
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People gotta eat. The button doesn't bother me.
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If a good place was needed to just put some new features tied to the gold service, why not just add an item under "Services" called "Gold", and then add tabs for all the new features (both free and paid) as they were developed.
I hypothesize that it was given it's own menu primarily to improve its visibility and differentiate the "Gold" membership services from standard packages and operating system services.
That to me doesn't sound so much like "we're adding features for our "members" to enjoy" as it looks like subtle, persistent advertising. Am I wrong in this view?
I think you are dead on. I think the Gold menu was added as non-intrusive reminder the project is in need of financial support.
I don't see anything wrong with promoting the service in pfsense in a non-intrusive manner (ala the initial wizard, as a link in the backup area/auto updater, or you know, Help->Paid Support) but by shoving it front and center as seems to be the goal, well you might as well wrap it in <blink>tags.</blink>
Except that:
A. Adding a menu is non-intrusive. (Versus say an annoying pop-up.)
B. They didn't use blink tags. (Which would in fact be annoying.)If I'm not able or don't want to use the perks of a Gold membership, either because I'm not interested or didn't pay for them (which is totally fair), why should everyone have a "Gold" main menu by default? Isn't that what the Packages system already addresses quite well? Install the "Gold Member" (lol) package, and let it do the modification to the GUI so that I can have the all the features that require a "Gold account" should I so desire, and let the unmodified "base" GUI run as a standalone system not requiring these account based features.
One could make the same case against any of the menus. "If I'm not able or don't want to use the perks of VPN, why should everyone have a "VPN" main menu by default? Why isn't it under services?"
By this same argument, if it bothers you so much, why don't you create a package that removes the Gold menu item?
What is the root of your concern? Is it only aesthetics? Surely you aren't unhappy because pfSense relies on donations to support itself financially and has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to remind endusers?
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B. They didn't use blink tags. (Which would in fact be annoying.)
Ha! Don't temp them. ;)
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What is the root of your concern? Is it only aesthetics? Surely you aren't unhappy because pfSense relies on donations to support itself financially and has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to remind endusers?
I wouldn't classify gold membership as a donation.
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What is the root of your concern? Is it only aesthetics? Surely you aren't unhappy because pfSense relies on donations to support itself financially and has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to remind endusers?
I wouldn't classify gold membership as a donation.
Why?
You are not forced to, you get the same software I do. I, as a Gold member get the pfSense book that sells on Amazon for $36.00 and it includes updates that you can't buy from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/pfSense-Definitive-Christopher-M-Buechler/dp/0979034280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409526741&sr=8-1&keywords=pfSense+book. ie. Selling support? Besides, I feel much better for contributing.
Hell, the Red Cross gives T-shirts out when you contribute and, I guarantee the management of Red Cross makes more then the management of ESF. What is the problem?
Wait!!! I get it!, WHERE IS MY T-SHIRT!!!! LMAO. -
It's a membership. You get something, presumably of value, in return.
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technically (legally) "Gold" is not a donation.
As before, the "Gold" menu is a placeholder for things we're adding in the future.
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In your face "buy me" stuff has always annoyed me. However, if I can think of a cool way to ask for money, I'll post it here.
Me as well. But I don't see any problem with this myself.
To all others- Until someone finds that elusive money tree people are always going to find a way to raise money. If this method reminds a few that can afford it (those that are in fact saving a few bucks), to donate next to nothing to help support the project then Im all for it. Get Over It!
Most seem to have no problems clicking through the "your 30 day trial is over please buy now" pages that allot of other software puts up these days. That is more "in your face" than I believe this ever to be.
Ive come to find that computers are a rather expensive hobby. And doing business in this country just gets more expensive by the minute. Things I know today would make me never have tried to do my hobby as my primary job. Too many politics involved. And now I hate my hobby! no its not computers.
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Most seem to have no problems clicking through the "your 30 day trial is over please buy now" pages that allot of other software puts up these days. That is more "in your face" than I believe this ever to be.
While that would likely raise more revenue, it would also suck. A lot.
We're not doing it.
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@gonzopancho:
Most seem to have no problems clicking through the "your 30 day trial is over please buy now" pages that allot of other software puts up these days. That is more "in your face" than I believe this ever to be.
While that would likely raise more revenue, it would also suck. A lot.
We're not doing it.
Please don't think I was suggesting that… Just making a comparison.
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Oh :o.
And I thought this was an added value for those with the wide-screen patch in a >2.2 environment, fills up the menu a bit more ;D[…trying to add some humor here, this thread needs it!...]
