Journler 2.5.4 beta for Leopard, blogging dropped, last donationware version
October 26th, 2007Journler 2.5.4 For Leopard
It’s a big day for Mac users. Mac OS X Leopard is available, and I’m certain many of you are already installing it. There are a lot of great changes to the OS, and developers have been busy preparing their applications.
Journler 2.5.4 beta is the pre-release version of Journler’s next incremental update. Journler 2.5.4 includes a number of changes, but most important for early Leopard adopters, it ensures compatibility with the new OS.
Although 2.5.4 is still in the beta stage, it is strongly advised that Leopard users update their copies of Journler. The current version of Journler sports a number of compatibility issues which 2.5.4 addresses. Of course, Mac OS Tigers users may update to the beta as well, but it is not necessary.
Please note that it may be necessary to reset your password with this update. You’ll find the instructions at the Journler wiki: Resetting your Password. All beta users should enable auto-updating in Journler’s preferences and monitor the beta forum for announcements.
Journler Drops Support For Blogging
I have decided to drop blogging from Journler. I originally added blogging because it was a popular request, but I have never been able to fully realize the feature. Rather than continue to support a half-finished product which I feel reflects poorly on the overall quality of Journler, I chose to remove it. If you are a prolific or even causal blogger you will need to use another program such as MarsEdit or Ecto for that portion of your journaling.
Journler 2.5.4 is the Last Donationware Version of Journler
I intend to release the final version of Journler 2.5.4 by November 15th. This will be the last version of Journler to use donations or the dual license system. Slated for release in two to three months, Journler 2.6 will include a number of major improvements and fully take advantage of the new Leopard features. It will require a full license for all uses.
I have not come to this decision lightly. While there are many reasons why I have chosen to stop offering Journler as donationware, two stand out. First, Journler has grown too big. I am no longer capable of single handedly managing a project of this size. I require assistance and additional expertise, and both come at a price.
Second, I have come to the conclusion that the donationware model is not sustainable. Software development is what I do for a living, and while I have had some financial success, this is the second month I will not break even since Journler 2.5 was released. Software development is a cyclical business, I understand that, but I must be able to pay the bills consistently. And if I’m going to take on additional help, I’ll certainly need a steady income.
The pricing structure for Journler 2.6 will be announced at a later date. In the meantime, enjoy the 2.5.4 beta if you’re on Leopard, and keep an eye out for the final version in mid November if you’re not.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:54 am
How can I find out if my version is donationware or an actual purchase? I honestly have no idea whether I donated or bought a license to this, and I want to make sure I don’t pay twice
thanks
October 30th, 2007 at 11:00 am
I just sent you an email.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:26 am
Why did you drop blogging? It was one of the features I used the most. It was very very useful. Of course I can always use Marsedit or ecto, but I like to have everything on one app. Wouldn’t it be possible to get it back?
Thanks for a great app!
October 31st, 2007 at 11:42 am
Hi profetes, you can read more about why I decided to drop support for blogging here and here.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I am so pleased to see that you are moving to a “pay-to-play” registration system. You may remember I have been advocating this approach all along. You deserve to make money on your very excellent product.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Phil,
This is one of the best journalling OS X apps I have seen, I have been with you from the beginning and made a donation, I will gladly pay for this. But please, when you consider pricing keep, it under $50. There are very few apps that, IMHO, people will pay over $50 for. Don’t get me wrong I am not advocating setting the price at $50, just that is most I would personally pay, no more though. I believe a reasonably priced quality software would more than sustain you as a developer. BTW I am a developer as well. I just make software for the company I work for
Bill
November 7th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Don’t worry, pricing will definitely be under $50! I’m looking at the $30 range right now, which is towards the lower range of comparable apps.
November 15th, 2007 at 5:51 am
Will you, per chance, be adding a “full-screen” option ala something like WriteRoom? http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom
That is one of the top features I’m looking for right now.
November 17th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I think charging a fair price for Journler is totally appropriate. I use the product daily and it is essential to my overall happiness.
I would recommend restoring a basic blogging feature. Even though the feature is not as robust as you might like, even a simple blogging feature is useful to those of us who would love to blog something in our Journal. Sure - we can cut and paste….but it sure is convenient to not have to do that.
When I have to do a complex blog post, I find using the web interface is usually the best thing anyway. But for something quick and simple - using the blogging features in Journler has been helpful and quick.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
jourler is wonderful. I have been searching a great tool like this in the past 5 years.! I love it, great work and more importantly , I will buy it.
i am using Journler 2.5.4 beta for Leopard. can I make a purchase now? i have an idea, how about to make an advance booking for 2.6 for a good price?. thanks!
November 26th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Hello,
I’ve stumbled on Journler a few weeks ago and it seemed a wonderful application to me. Unfortunately I cannot download Journler right now due to circumstances. By the time I can download it you will make it licensed.
I wouldn’t want to buy it without trying it out first, so I wonder if you are going to make it possible to have trial versions for 30 days or something similar?
Thanks!
November 27th, 2007 at 11:19 am
@ cornflakegirl88
For sure. There will definitely be a trial period. I’m thinking at least 60 days, as it can take that long to really work through the program and see what all it has to offer.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
@bweaver
A user on the forum recently pointed me to the Scrivener full screen implementation and I am definitely impressed. I’ll see about giving 2.6 a full screen makeover, although it will be a few months until the fruits of that labor are publicly available.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
@wvoll
I’ve decided that the full license will cost $32. I reached this decision after talking it over at the Journler forum. I’ll have a more comprehensive post discussing licensing and pricing later.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
@bthooper and profetes
I’ve already come to a final conclusion on blogging. It will be completely left out of the next update, the 2.5.4 maintenance, and I will not be re-introducing it until I can give it a complete overhaul, which itself may or may not happen.
Journler’s blogging may have been simple, but it was also incomplete and does not belong in the program in its current state. I have instead added support for sending an entry to a 3rd party weblog editor.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
@thinkboy
You can make a purchase now, but if you do you should go ahead an pay the full $24.95 price for a non-personal use license. Otherwise you’ll have to cover the difference when you upgrade to 2.6. More on this in a later post, or you can head over to the forum where this has already been laid out.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I am just starting to use this program. It looks great and I am excited. Does the end to blogging mean that there is or will be an end to iweb integration as well? Or is this just for other more complex blogging?
December 10th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
@evansb
Nope, iWeb integration is still included. In fact, the changes to the blogging support make it work more like the iWeb integration. Instead of handing the post itself, Journler sends the entry off to a 3rd party app.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:59 am
[…] (however blogging is being dropped soon from […]
May 28th, 2008 at 12:21 am
[…] (however blogging is being dropped soon from […]
May 29th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Quick question — So until I decide to upgrade to ver 2.6, can I continue to use the Journler without paying?
May 30th, 2008 at 10:44 am
@ calipanther
Technically yes, but it’s a violation of the terms. Journler 2.5.4 requires a license. I’m just not enforcing it from a technical standpoint until 2.6 is released.