Just two days ago (April 21), STILL WITHIN EXISTING MY 1-YEAR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR SOFTWARE UPDATES which theoretically expired on April 22, I checked for the latest version of G-Force software. I was just waiting until the very last minute to renew.
At that time I was still provided with the OLD version 4.13... just 2 days ago... as the most current version!
I have now renewed my maintenance agreement for another year. I'm not unhappy about that. I've been a paying user and supporter of G-Force ever since 2003 when it was first "monetized". I even used it for years before that (along with White Cap) before "monetization". Not unhappy. Very happy with the product.
What I'm unhappy about now is that after just checking 2 days ago, while still under my old maintenance agreement, I was told 4.13 was the "absolute latest available" version for download... and magically and suddenly now that I have renewed for another year I'm now told 4.20 is the latest version!
So 4.20, which was obviously available 2-days ago and SHOULD have been available to me under the still-valid terms of my previous year's maintenance agreement, is HIDDEN from me... and NOT made available, until I renew!!!
I feel this to be deceitful and sneaky, and dishonest.
I've been a long-time owner/user of G-Force, and am not unhappy with the product.
I am, however, VERY unhappy with this very dishonest marketing trick of deliberately NOT teling me about and HOLDING BACK a software update (to 4.20 from 4.13) from me, which I was still entitled to under the terms of my old license agreement... until I renewed my maintenance agreement at which time, magically, a brand new version suddenly appears to be available!
In other words, you already really had 4.20 available for me, but would not tell me about it until I renewed. Then, so that I would be "happy" to be getting something for my renewal money's worth, magically 4.20 is instantly available!!!
Very dishonest, and deceitful if you ask me.
I'm very disappointed in this "trickery", and this may well be my final maintenance renewal for G-Force after 8 years of paying you for it, even though I LOVE the product itself.
Rant: 4.13 "most current" until renewed -> 4.20
Moderators: BTT, andy55, b.dwall, juxtiphi
Hello dsperber
Similar situation in this post (well, sort of).
http://www.soundspectrum-forums.com/vie ... php?t=6733
Sitsparky who apparently works for SoundSpectrum posted this reply. Maybe you should contact him.
Regards BTT
Similar situation in this post (well, sort of).
http://www.soundspectrum-forums.com/vie ... php?t=6733
Sitsparky who apparently works for SoundSpectrum posted this reply. Maybe you should contact him.
sitsparky wrote:If your license literally expired 8 days before we released version 4.2, write to us in support and we'll give you access to the new version.
http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/contact.html
Regards BTT
I received my email advising of the upcoming renewal date on April 14. My expiration is April 22. So I had 8 days to make my decision.jerohm wrote:4.2 has been posted on the download page (and News) since 11Apr ... hasn't it??? I am a bit confused...
I checked the website for "latest version" on April 14, just to be sure I had the absolute latest version even if I decided not to renew this year (though I've been a faithful and paying subscriber to G-Force since back in 2003 when it first went "commercial for money"). At that time, on April 14, it was still 4.13. I'm sure of that.
Now to be fair, my method of checking for "latest version" is really to go through the every-so-often normal method of trying the link (and entering my email address and current license key), and I probably do NOT check "news" consciously (unless my eyes just happen to see a date that advises of very recent action). Perhaps on April 14 that "upgrade to latest version" link had not yet been changed, even though "news" said it should have been. Don't know.
I am quite certain that just a few days ago, still before April 22, I once again checked... and it was still 4.13. I'm reasonably certain of that.
And now, amazingly... whether it happened exactly as I described and "instantly" version 4.20 was magically available as soon as I renewed, or even if it was available for you on April 11 but not available for me on April 14 when I first looked (I'm positive about that much!), this is all very very hokey.
The timing of the release of the "new version", so astonishlingly close to the renewal date of my own personal subscription... close enough so that the overlap of dates and availability could be construed to be just a bit "contrived", well I'm bothered by this.
Anyway, I don't mind paying for G-force. Andy deserves to be compensated for this fine product.
I just think this is a bit strange, timing new versions just exactly the same week as my own personal license renewal date... how can that "just happen, coincidentally?".
Hi - I wasn't not trying to beat up on you or anything, and if you were current on 11Apr, I TOO would feel entitled to the 4.2 release, whether I decided to renew or not. I AM still a bit confused exactly on the details of YOUR situation. I really doubt anything [deceitful] was done intentionally... could something have fallen through the cracks ... certainly possible... To be fair, I am still running the beta, so I KNOW I have been surprised in the past at the availability of a new release at times. I hope you can work things out to your satisfaction.dsperber wrote: ...
I just think this is a bit strange, timing new versions just exactly the same week as my own personal license renewal date... how can that "just happen, coincidentally?".
j
Not saying that anybody's wrong....
I had an email from Andy on 11/04/11 informing me that version 4.2 was available....So went to Soundspectrum site where indeed, v4.2 "WAS" available, D/L and installed v4.2 on 11/04/11
I then reported a problem with v4.2 here: http://www.soundspectrum-forums.com/vie ... php?t=6735 On the 12/04/11
......What I am saying is, that G-Force 4.2 WAS available on the Soundspectrum website on the 11/04/11....
Swifty
I had an email from Andy on 11/04/11 informing me that version 4.2 was available....So went to Soundspectrum site where indeed, v4.2 "WAS" available, D/L and installed v4.2 on 11/04/11
I then reported a problem with v4.2 here: http://www.soundspectrum-forums.com/vie ... php?t=6735 On the 12/04/11
......What I am saying is, that G-Force 4.2 WAS available on the Soundspectrum website on the 11/04/11.... Swifty
He is you friend, your partner, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Well, I don't want to belabor the point... if it was somehow a mixup on my part.
But the day I received the email advising up my upcoming license renewal was 4/14. And my renewal was 8 days later, on 4/22.
And on that day I did what I always do throughout the year periodically, which is to go to the Support link on the web site and step through the process of getting the latest update for licensed users.
So, from the home page http://www.soundspectrum.com/ I then click on the Support link, to get http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/.
Then I click on "downloads and updates" link to get this page http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/do ... ducts.html.
Then I enter my email address and license code, and push the SUBMIT button.
That then puts me on a page where I can download the latest version for Windows. In fact, hovering the mouse over the link for G-Force Platinum reveals the version number in the file name (shown on the status bar at the bottom of the Firefox window).
I am convinced in my memory that on 4/14 the above process showed 4.13 as the tail-end of the file name from this final link. So I did not bother downloading the file, since I already had 4.13.
Now, I can look today at the web site and see that 4.20 was theoretically released on 4/11. And yet, my memory is definitely that on 4/14 the above process yielded a 4.13 file... not 4.20.
Hence this thread.
I don't know what else to say. If the mistake was mine, and I really should have been able to download 4.20 on 4/14... even if I decided not to renew before 4/22, well maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
And as long as I really should have been able to get 4.20 on 4/14, even if I didn't renew, then I'm no longer angry.
It just didn't happen that way, as best I can recall... not until I renewed on 4/21, and then sure enough the very same approach produced the 4.20 file.
Oh well. As I've said, I have no problem paying annual maintenance for the product.
But the day I received the email advising up my upcoming license renewal was 4/14. And my renewal was 8 days later, on 4/22.
And on that day I did what I always do throughout the year periodically, which is to go to the Support link on the web site and step through the process of getting the latest update for licensed users.
So, from the home page http://www.soundspectrum.com/ I then click on the Support link, to get http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/.
Then I click on "downloads and updates" link to get this page http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/do ... ducts.html.
Then I enter my email address and license code, and push the SUBMIT button.
That then puts me on a page where I can download the latest version for Windows. In fact, hovering the mouse over the link for G-Force Platinum reveals the version number in the file name (shown on the status bar at the bottom of the Firefox window).
I am convinced in my memory that on 4/14 the above process showed 4.13 as the tail-end of the file name from this final link. So I did not bother downloading the file, since I already had 4.13.
Now, I can look today at the web site and see that 4.20 was theoretically released on 4/11. And yet, my memory is definitely that on 4/14 the above process yielded a 4.13 file... not 4.20.
Hence this thread.
I don't know what else to say. If the mistake was mine, and I really should have been able to download 4.20 on 4/14... even if I decided not to renew before 4/22, well maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
And as long as I really should have been able to get 4.20 on 4/14, even if I didn't renew, then I'm no longer angry.
It just didn't happen that way, as best I can recall... not until I renewed on 4/21, and then sure enough the very same approach produced the 4.20 file.
Oh well. As I've said, I have no problem paying annual maintenance for the product.
To be quite honest, the way that you describe how you downloaded GF, is the same way I do it too, and most likely the way most if not all do it....I do feel for you though, and if that was to happen to me, well, I would be unhappy too 
.....
But a very strange issue this is, and as also, a GF user for many years, feel that, I really doubt anything deceitful was done intentionally
I do hope that ether Andy, or sitsparky, could come here and sort this one out
Hope things work out well for you
Swifty
PS:...Just a thought, It "Could" be possible that, after reporting the problem with GF v4.2 on 12/04 that it "MAY" have been temporally removed, and maybe replaced with v4.13 Could that have happened ??
Just throwing that idea around, and see what comes up
.....But a very strange issue this is, and as also, a GF user for many years, feel that, I really doubt anything deceitful was done intentionally
I do hope that ether Andy, or sitsparky, could come here and sort this one out
Hope things work out well for you
Swifty
PS:...Just a thought, It "Could" be possible that, after reporting the problem with GF v4.2 on 12/04 that it "MAY" have been temporally removed, and maybe replaced with v4.13 Could that have happened ??
Just throwing that idea around, and see what comes up He is you friend, your partner, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
At this point, I'm willing to write it off as "user error" on my part when I went to look for the latest version on 4/14. Maybe it was just something that "crossed in the mail", and the release of 4.20 back on 4/11 really should still have afforded me the opportunity to download 4.20 on 4/14... even if I was not going to renew my license scheduled to expire on 4/22.
I honestly do recall running into 4.13 as that "latest version" when I checked on 4/14 immediately upon receiving the email advising of the 8-days later current license expiration, but as I've stated... it's not really important. I had fully planned to continue my annual maintenance anyway, as I will always support a product that (a) is still "active" and no longer "legacy", meaning the author is still behind it, and (b) that I actually do USE REGULARLY BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD PRODUCT AND I LIKE IT!!!
I've also heard back from Soundspectrum on my ticket directly to them, and they were genuinely polite and sincere in their response.
They assured me (and I believe them) that there was nothing nefarious going on here, and while it shouldn't have happened as I describe they nevertheless appreciate my long-time patronage and support for the product, and apologize for any confusion or anomaly that may have occurred during those few days. It certainly was not intentional on their part, if I did experience the problems I describe.
Anyway, I'm completely satisfied at this point. Soundspectrum is a fine group of individuals, Andy is an talented author, G-Force Platinum is a fine product that I use regularly and enjoy and which is continuing to improve and evolve in what it was designed to do, and I have no problem paying nominal annual maintenance to continue all of this.
Case closed. Rant ended.
Thanks to all for all of your positive remarks and comments.
I honestly do recall running into 4.13 as that "latest version" when I checked on 4/14 immediately upon receiving the email advising of the 8-days later current license expiration, but as I've stated... it's not really important. I had fully planned to continue my annual maintenance anyway, as I will always support a product that (a) is still "active" and no longer "legacy", meaning the author is still behind it, and (b) that I actually do USE REGULARLY BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD PRODUCT AND I LIKE IT!!!
I've also heard back from Soundspectrum on my ticket directly to them, and they were genuinely polite and sincere in their response.
They assured me (and I believe them) that there was nothing nefarious going on here, and while it shouldn't have happened as I describe they nevertheless appreciate my long-time patronage and support for the product, and apologize for any confusion or anomaly that may have occurred during those few days. It certainly was not intentional on their part, if I did experience the problems I describe.
Anyway, I'm completely satisfied at this point. Soundspectrum is a fine group of individuals, Andy is an talented author, G-Force Platinum is a fine product that I use regularly and enjoy and which is continuing to improve and evolve in what it was designed to do, and I have no problem paying nominal annual maintenance to continue all of this.
Case closed. Rant ended.
Thanks to all for all of your positive remarks and comments.
I was unaware of an initial problem with GF 4.20 on 4/12, as I didn't even know that 4.20 was available until 4/21 when I finally renewed my license, downloaded the "latest version", and was surprised to see it a 4.20 instead of the 4.13 which I thought was still "most current" as of only a few days earlier. Hence this rant/thread.swiftyone wrote:PS:...Just a thought, It "Could" be possible that, after reporting the problem with GF v4.2 on 12/04 that it "MAY" have been temporally removed, and maybe replaced with v4.13 Could that have happened ??
But had there actually been a serious problem with 4.20 so that it actually had been temporarily removed for just those few days until the bug was corrected, perhaps explaining why I banged heads with the earlier 4.13 when I checked for "latest version" back on 4/14, I suppose your speculation does seem plausible.
But then I would have expected SoundSpectrum to have mentioned that to me in their email, as the very likely explanation for my particular story and experience. They didn't, so I'm guessing 4.20 was not posted on 4/11, removed temporarily (through my check on 4/14 which showed 4.13) and then a few days later re-posted (hence my 4.20 on 4/21).
Possible... but honestly, not likely since SoundSpectrum never said it happened in their email to me.
Possible... but honestly, not likely since SoundSpectrum never said it happened in their email to me.
Quite agree with you, as said, it was just a thought
Glad that your a little more happy-er now
Swifty
Quite agree with you, as said, it was just a thought
Glad that your a little more happy-er now
Swifty
He is you friend, your partner, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
swiftyone, what problem did you report regarding v 4.2? I'm not aware of an issue that might have seen 4.2 taken down after the initial release and then reposted sometime later, however I can ask Andy if this indeed was the case. Besides that, I can't think of a reason why dsperber would have encountered what he did, and I can assure you that SoundSpectrum does not employ any deceptive practices to generate sales, let alone get a long-time supporter like dsperber to simply renew his license. Though, I do apologize sincerely if there was some error on our side.
dsperber, on a side note, you should definitely join the GF Beta List. Users on the beta list get emailed when there is a beta version available to try out, and also get emailed when the beta period is over and the version has been officially released. This way you would not have to go through your method of logging into the download page to see what's available.
Only current Platinum license holders can join the beta list. To do so, visit the following page with your current Platinum license code and registered email address.
Beta List Addition / Removal:
- http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/beta_list.html
After adding yourself to the beta list, when a beta version becomes available (as mentioned) you will be sent an email. At that time, return to our download page with your license code and registered email address, and you will now be given the option to download either the current beta version or the current official release.
Again, on behalf of SoundSpectrum, I apologize if there was any mixup or hard feelings. Though, I hope everyone's happily enjoying G-Force now...?
dsperber, on a side note, you should definitely join the GF Beta List. Users on the beta list get emailed when there is a beta version available to try out, and also get emailed when the beta period is over and the version has been officially released. This way you would not have to go through your method of logging into the download page to see what's available.
Only current Platinum license holders can join the beta list. To do so, visit the following page with your current Platinum license code and registered email address.
Beta List Addition / Removal:
- http://www.soundspectrum.com/support/beta_list.html
After adding yourself to the beta list, when a beta version becomes available (as mentioned) you will be sent an email. At that time, return to our download page with your license code and registered email address, and you will now be given the option to download either the current beta version or the current official release.
Again, on behalf of SoundSpectrum, I apologize if there was any mixup or hard feelings. Though, I hope everyone's happily enjoying G-Force now...?
Hi sitsparky, ....Left a link in post #7 about the problem with GF v4.2 (Remember?
As for v4.2 being removed from D/L, because of that problem, was just an idea I had, clutching at straws so to speak, (I'm NOT saying that's actually what DID happen) ...And as dsperber said: "Possible... but honestly, not likely since SoundSpectrum never said it happened in their email to me".....
I would tend to agree with that statement...But, something strange HAS indeed happened that's worth looking into because GF v4.2 WAS available to download on 11/04/11
Swifty
....Left a link in post #7 about the problem with GF v4.2 (Remember? As for v4.2 being removed from D/L, because of that problem, was just an idea I had, clutching at straws so to speak,
(I'm NOT saying that's actually what DID happen) ...And as dsperber said: "Possible... but honestly, not likely since SoundSpectrum never said it happened in their email to me".....I would tend to agree with that statement...But, something strange HAS indeed happened that's worth looking into because GF v4.2 WAS available to download on 11/04/11
Swifty
He is you friend, your partner, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Gotcha. Totally missed the link you posted, and (apologies) totally forgot about responding in that thread. I was actually the one who responded to dsperber when he wrote in to Support so I know what was mentioned. If Andy DID remove v4.2 from the download page to address the full-screen drop-down menu in the Toolbar then he didn't tell me about it. Though, I do know that, unless there is some major crashing or security issue present in a new update, we do not typically remove updates from the download page or revert back to the previous version. v4.2 in its first form would have been kept up while silently fixing the Toolbar issue, and then reposted when fixed.