[QLab] Small update to Pro Demo, Pricing Thoughts, and other Whatnots

[Christopher Ashworth]

Hi All,

First of all, there's a small update to QLab Pro tonight, fixing two  
bugs.  Beta testers should update.

Also, today I heard an interesting idea from another user (one not on  
the list) about a possible pricing structure.  He pointed out that I  
went to the trouble of having this insanely flexible plugin system,  
and why not use it to it's full advantage?

It'd go something like this:

There'd be no more QLab Pro.  There'd just be QLab.  It would remain  
free.  Everything about the core application would be free, including  
future updates to core features, like cue list appearance adjustment,  
macros and templates, refinement of the playback controls, etc.

QLab would still come bundled with the original set of plugins, for  
free.

To extend it, you could purchase additional plugins "packs".  Example:

    * MIDI Pack - Includes MIDI Voice Messages and MIDI Show Control  
Messages.  (Others too, like MTC, as they are added.)
    * Video Pack - Includes Video Cues and Quartz Composer Cues.
    * Advanced Control Pack - Shell Cue, Applescript Cue, Pause/ 
Resume Cue, etc.
    * and so on...

Each major pack might be in the $100-200 dollar range, depending on  
what it does.  Smaller upgrades would also be possible.  For example,  
you could upgrade the Sound Cue to "Pro Sound" to access extra output  
channels and get channel routing, and it might only cost you, say, 60  
to 80 bucks.

With this approach, people can get exactly what they want.  Someone  
with a modest budget who only wants to bump their capabilities a  
little bit doesn't have to break the bank (and doesn't have to pay  
for stuff they won't use) while the higher-end professionals can deck  
themselves out with everything at a price that is still reasonable,  
but also reflects the value and power of what you're getting.

I still need to think this through a bit, and it will require a  
little more work on my end to rework the licensing system, but at  
first glance I'm liking it a lot.

Feel free to comment on this, whether you like it or hate it.  FYI,  
I'm heading out tomorrow morning for a wedding in California, so I'll  
probably be away from a computer until Monday.  If I don't respond  
immediately, that's the reason why.

Best,
Christopher