Well I just wanted to write a follow up to my Heading into 2009 post and fill you in on some things that I have planned for 2009. So far I have been able to finish 1/2 of things on the list, and only have 5 more of the Revolution themes to update.
As mentioned in this post, there are some things that are changing a bit. As of January 1, 2009, the Revolution Two themes will become paid themes that will carry the GPL license.
This will not affect anyone who has purchased a theme/package so far, as you will still be able to access the theme download and will receive support for the theme(s) you signed up for. Those who have purchased the Pro Plus All Theme package (or inherited it as a result of purchasing the Revolution One All-Inclusive package) will still be entitled to receive all Revolution Two themes and support, so there won’t be any changes to that as well.
To be clear, the spirit of open source and the GPL are being kept intact, and this decision is a result of some clarification that has been made about premium themes and how they can fit into the WordPress community.
On another note, I also wanted to mention that I am in the process of developing another WordPress theme project that will hopefully be launched in the coming weeks. I won’t go into any details at the moment, but I will say that this site will act completely independent of Revolution. More info on that to come…
Wow Brian – the anticipation is really starting to build with this mysterious project. Can’t wait to hear more!
Brian – Good move. I’ve always felt that the Rev 1 business model you had in place initially was a winner (pay for the theme first and receive access to the support).
Just don’t let the detractors and naysayers sway you ( I can hear the screaming already ). Keep doing what you do best – you’ve got our support.
Does this mean us Rev 1 old-fogies will once again have fantastic (and free) support? I want to use Revolution Pro Media on a new project and would like help adding the slide-show plugin to the front page.
I also think this is a great move, Brian. Happy New Year!
So the Rev 2 themes wont be available for free download? So if I already have 2 of them in operation I have to purchase them now? I’m confused. How can a paid theme be free and GPL? I guess I’m going to have listen to that interview. I agree and understand with the paid support idea, but paying for a free theme? I’m listening to the interview right now. Will be back later.
So after all your hype and going on about risk taking etc you end up making Revolution Two like Revolution One except under a different license and with a partner?
Seems like a cop out to me and you have gone down a rung or two in the respect stakes with me.
Sorry, but I am very dissapointed about this and that your themes will no longer be available unless people pay.
I am glad you are working on your Hedgehog Concept ( http://www.jimcollins.com/lab/hedgehog/index.html ) and a business model that gets you what you want and your customers what they want — great value, support, and themes.
So, Jeff’s interview with Matt has swayed you away from the pure GPL model?
Just out of interest, which aspects of that very long interview had the most impact on your plans?
Ok I listened to the interview and I kinda get it but I still have issues. I’ll see if there is a thread in Rev 2 forums.
I figured as much for you to make this move. Very curious what that new project looks like btw
as usual, excited to see what’s coming
Brian,
Most people, including myself, have no problems paying you for your excellent themes. For what it’s worth, I think you are moving back to the right business model.
On another note, I have wondered how long you were going to have to “pay” for your awesome customer service. What I mean is, those of us who originally paid the all inclusiveness have gotten 10 times our value from you. At some point, we should pay more for the continued ongoing development/skills/talent you bring to your new themes. I think that is only fair. In some ways I have felt that there has been an attitude that since people bought the all inclusiveness, we owned a piece of you forever. Which is not right. Something I would support is as new themes roll out, we would get them at 50% discount or some other kind of special. But to constantly expect free from you at such a low investment, wow – its like buying stock in Coca Cola at it’s inception.
Anyways, forgive the long tangent, but it’s something I wanted to through out there.
Thanks again for bringing your themes to the market – they have taught me a lot.
Tina
YaY! Brian!
I was very pleased to read your post this morning!
I also believe that this is the way to go. Remember, you even got me to purchase a theme, so you must be doing something right.
On the other hand … I might have to go back to my Revolution 1 template once it is geared up for WP 2.7 … guh to you … hahaha.
A much better road to follow IMHO.
I would rather support your work anyways.
Looking forward to the News Update
I realize you are experimenting way outside the envelope, and it sounds like most everyone is behind you and thought it might be the other way around.
Your strong points are your passion and that’s the glue that makes it work and your customers and friends coming back.
Looking forward to being part of your new dimension.
jack
Thanks Jack, and yes – it seems like I’m the guinea pig with the whole WordPress premium theme arena, with trying different things and trying to keep everyone happy. Kinda tough, but I’m doing my best!
Good Morning Brian and glad to hear that your going forward… Just like with any new “product” and business one develops, there is much testing and experimenting done, and sometimes even tweaks, and when developing a great product those tweaks will always continue… Congrats and I look forward to this mysterious project of yours. Many don’t realize, perhaps they don’t pay attention to the “free” themes they used, they are not “free”, someone paid to sponsor them and I have found some themes that look great but not exactly the type of sponsorship I would want on my blog! I rather pay for a premium theme and have a clean, crisp design!!
Hi, Congrats on your nice Work!
I’m using lifestyle here: http://bricolagetotal.com ,… will i have to change something after 1/!?
Thanks
Joliveira
I listened to Matt Mullenweg’s highly inflammatory interview and it seemed to clarify more about him and Automattic than it did about the GPL—especially that according to him, the GPL and similar licenses are not only good, but the *ONLY* good form of licensing while everything else is bad and using or even linking to anything else is the wrong thing to do. He brought up these notions of good and bad, right and wrong, repeatedly and came off as not only a moral hypocrite, but a licensing zealot. He outright admitted that despite the obvious facts that his WordPress and Automattic empires were built on the backs of a public using and approving of software with many different licenses, including proprietary software, his sites would not link to content of which he and his team disapprove for whatever reason, effectively dictating the content of sites run by theme creators (i.e., do as he says or don’t get into the directory). Much of what he said throughout the interview seemed evasive, but he gave an uncharacteristically direct answer about that and couched it in insistence that he is not dictating the content of anyone else’s site. As someone who uses and likes both open-source software (whether “free” in the GPL sense or otherwise) and commercial software, I found Matt Mullenweg’s words and actions offensive and disturbing.
One licensing-related issue that did seem clearer to me from that interview is that once a theme has been distributed under the GPL, the freedom of redistribution requirement guarantees that it can then be distributed by that licensee without further charge. If that is so, what makes you think you are going to sell more than one copy of any GPL-licensed theme without it then being redistributed free of charge? Or is that not actually the case with the GPL?
Hi Brian,
I love your work but I’m a little confused and I have a couple of questions. How do I buy Revolution One themes at this point? And is the Rev 2 Lifestyle theme 2.7 ready if I buy it today?
Thanks!
Very interesting. I’m anxious to see the new project.
Have you made a decision about making the Revolution 1 themes available again?
Way to go Brian, your biz flexibility and instinct is brilliant! Will R1 be making it back?
I guess it is a little more difficult for users to unreasonably give away what they paid for. To those particularly opposed to the changes, i think there is more value in having the core developers successful and pushing the boundaries to get more out of WP and have it around alot longer! If there isn’t reward for innovation and payment of costs incurred, how does anyone expect to have quality themes and plugins?
Free of (revision/distribution) restrictions is great for innovation but cost free just doesn’t make much biz sense IMHO.
Wishing you the best of 2009.
BSK
Brian, I’m with Tina 100% on the value for money issue. I purchased the all-inclusive Rev 1 development package – and got Rev 2 thrown in as a result. You are incredibly generous with your support and interest. What I like about the way you operate is that buying into your themes is buying into a community – and that’s very much down to you and the way you relate (as well as operate). So, like Tina, I’d encourage you to go the discount route for existing customers without feeling that you have to make new stuff free.
I’m another curious, expectant watcher for the new development …
One question: how easy would it be for you to put up a tutorial with each theme making clear which elements are controlled by what? What’s behind my question is changing the livery of themes for customers who want a different or specific colour scheme. I’m sure it’s easy, but not being a code jock, it takes me hours of trial and error – and the new developments in coding mean that I’m always playing catch-up!
Meantime … thanks as ever!
Hi Brian,
Your themes, are they free or do you charge to download?
I’m interested in the Code Blue.
Thanks,
Christopher
Hi Brian, I hope you can clarify something for me. I’m still trying get the WP lingo down, so please forgive my ignorance!
I purchased the Revolution Theme All-Inclusive Package on 4/24/08 for $326.21 (with tax). Do I understand that I can get all the new themes free too? I really need a “this is what you get, this is what you don’t get” kind of answer!
Thanks Brian. . .Happy New Year!
I think i have to “wait and see” the changes in 1/1.
I still don’t understand your words,
“As of January 1, 2009, the Revolution Two themes will become paid themes that will carry the GPL license. ”
It’s a little confusing moving back and forth between business models, but when Matt offers ambiguous definitions it can make it a challenge for ethical theme designers to know what to do or how to model their businesses. Brian, because I know your ethical standards are high, you are attempting to play by the rules and understand the transition in your theme business.
I’ve always felt that Premium themes were “pre-customized” packaged offerings and considering the time, effort, skill and talent that goes into each theme there was no reason NOT to charge for the actual theme. I felt that paying for “support” was nothing more than semantics, semantics you were forced into to walk the tightrope of ethics and profit.
I know you’ll always do what’s right by your customers and those of us who have, in part, built their business on what you’ve developed.
I’ll support whatever you do. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Brian, I’ve visited your site for well over 2 years now. Your themes were some of the first that I used and experimented with. Since the release of the Rev1 themes, I’ve seen trouble brewing. Though you do have a loyal following, your flip flop business model is going to bite you in the rear. As I’ve read you last 5 or 6 posts and the comments associated with them, the only thing that comes to mind is: Hook, Line and Sinker. I really like your themes, though I’m not using one now, I’ve played around with many of them, however, with all of the other “free” themes available to the general public, none of your themes are worth paying for. Please don’t be offended by that, I don’t mean it in a bad or negative way, it’s just that anybody can get a comparable theme for free, support or not. I would absolutely agree that charging for support is not a bad thing, but it’s like you’re taking those people who trusted you with your Rev2 business model and are pushing it back in their face. I see your Church and Lifestyle themes everywhere and people are doing a lot with them, whether they chose to buy the support or not. To make those themes unavailable for those who don’t want to pay for the themes is just wrong. You got the following that you have by offering “free” themes and now you’re taking that away. Anyhow, good luck, I think you’re going to need it. But I have to be honest, this kind of business practice is what’s turning a lot of people off to Wordpress as a whole. The next best thing is just around the corner. My guess is that this time next year, Wordpress won’t be what it is today. Hope you make lots of money, really quick.
Best of luck with your ventures in 2009 and happy newyear!
There is an old saying (perhaps you’ve heard it) that ‘you get what you pay for.’ For a month, we received premium-grade designs for free. Now we are going back to the status-quo of paying. The free design/paid support was an experiment on Brian’s part and apparently it wasn’t paying off. Given that many of Brian’s customers are designers looking for themes they can modify — and didn’t need the customization services, little wonder for the recent change.
Brian almost single-handedly brought high-quality premium themes to the masses, charging affordable prices. I remember asking a designer for a price a few years back and being astonished at the four-digit estimate. 2009 will be the year when quality is valued; Brian’s always stood for quality, so I think we should welcome his decision to return to the fold.
Well, I didn’t purchase one of your paid theme but I have to admit that I learn a lot from the free ones. Simply said, you rox
So all I have to say is a big thanks, and I hope you success and blessing from above 
Cheers
How much will a theme cost under the new system?
On the free vs. paid themes topic. As a general rule, when designers offer up free themes, the price that is paid to the end user are the obvious (or hidden) back links to the designer’s website or worse, sponsors who have paid for the advertisement on the themes (design spam).
Bottom line, the theme designer is paid, in one form or another. Brian is just more transparent than most.
Hi Brian. I’m looking forward to the next phase in the “Revolution”. I’m anxious to see new designs which you spent countless hours to create and improve. If you build them, they will come.
I”m a little upset about the themes not being free like they use to be. The reason being is because I just noticed that there was a “download the non support link” 3 days ago and now it’s not there anymore. I think that’s what made you guys unique…now you are just like all the rest of the template sites out there. I would like to see a section of free templates on your site. I would also suggest changing the name of the site as I feel you just destroyed your brand Idenity by making all themes paid for….would the real revolution please stand up?
The point being said is that you cannot compete with top notch template sites as you do not have the overhead to do so. Why not give back to the community with some free templates? Have the best of both worlds.
Hi Brian,
Just chiming in to say good luck with the new business model. I always thought the free themes approach was a risky idea. I have a funny feeling this type of reaction wasn’t quite what Matt Mullenweg had intended during his interview with Jeff though
You should ignore anyone who whines about what you are doing monetization wise. Chances are they simply don’t understand the GPL and how it impacts theme development and probably never will. You need to monetize your business somehow and if you want to go with the GPL route then this is a perfectly reasonable way to go about it IMO.
Good luck and I look forward to seeing your new themes as they’re released
Just getting caught up on all the changes. Seems you just changed your model and now you are changing again. I’m sure that pains you to do it, but you have your reasons. I was skeptical how you would run a profitable business using the free model. Could you perhaps post in the future about what you learned from this experience and what you would do over if you could? I think that would help others looking to go into a similar business in the future. I’m more interested in your move to running your own web business rather than using your templates.
Good luck mate!
Am I right in thinking that the GPL allows me to distribute your themes for free once I have downloaded them? As long as I do that under a GPL?
If that is the case I will be able to legally get hold of your themes without paying for them. As I predict a plentiful supply of FreeRevolution sites popping up.
So why not allow me to get them from you without paying? I personally don’t need your support – but I dont mind supporting you – for your excellent themes! Perhaps donations would have been the answer – just throwing that one in
Brian, I’ve only just caught up with all this, what with all the fuss over the great repository pull I was all WordPressed out by Xmas and was happy to not pay tooooo much attention until back into the swing of things.
Now I’m back
This is an interesting move. I did wonder if you could build a viable business model on what you were doing. Evidently I was right to wonder! But still, you gave it a try.
My only concern is the potential brand damage. By switching between plans, so quickly and frequently, and by trying to be open about things such as possibly bringing back the original Revolution theme, you’re confusing customers and leave any business users needing solid, long term support for their sites wondering if your business can be trusted to remain long into the future.
I hope for your sake that you do, but I’d urge you to try and adopt some stability in your business model – these changes you’ve made have rocked the whole market, caused a lot of stress and concerns for rivals, and ultimately could do more harm than good for all of us.
Brian, your model seems to take advantage of people who simply are not aware that the theme itself is still free (under GPL, which is copyleft), and what they purchase is support.
Ed Sutherland said:
“The free design/paid support was an experiment on Brian’s part and apparently it wasn’t paying off.”
If I understand correctly, if the license of the theme is still in GPL, your customers are free to distribute as many copies as they want, and even charge it by offering their own support. The design is still distributable.
By removing the download links, visitors only think the themes are not free to download anymore, while in fact, they are.
Personally, I won’t base my business on the fact that the market is uninformed about the license of the product. I presume you took down the links because most people want to download for free instead of paying, of which they still can, if they do that from other site(s).
I’ve just corresponded with Matt about his stand on this issue. He doesn’t seem to care about any policy regarding distribution and think that download links are just part of marketing.
But the best models will evolve, perhaps a few good models and the best one. I completely understand that now, just that this will never be the path that I take. After reading the whole thread, I still am not clear whether you allow redistribution, which is one of the rights that is foundational in GPL.
There is a fine line between aggressive marketing and obscurity.
Best luck to you and Revolution Two, Brian.
Wow, I’m wondering why you would make such a big deal about going open-source, when you got all of the blog posts, and the excitement, and then you revert back to the paid. This isn’t just disappointing, it’s bullshit. I looked forward to it from the beginning of me reading your blog post, and I just don’t see why you’re doing it?
It’s cool that people can redistribute them, but that defeats the purpose, and you might as well have the download links on your site. Can you clarify the reasoning behind this change?
The reality is I (or any web designer), can get hold of these themes for free legally, and then use them to charge a customer or ours $1000 or more to ‘customise it’.
At the end of the day… we pay for Brian’s time, as my customers pay for my time to customise the same themes. It doesn’t matter how good the themes are, if someone uses these themes for someone else, then it will take time to customise/set-up etc… and time isn’t free when it’s a business.
Call it support as much as you like, but at the end of the day it’s paying for Brian’s time to support you in getting the themes to work for you, your way. Don’t get me wrong, I think the themes could be much easier to work with some sassy setup functions etc like another free theme (google Guzel and Max) but that would not be in Brian’s best interest.
But yes, the licence does allow for anyone to sell it or give it away as Brian is doing it now… GPL means no one has anymore rights over the theme as the creator does… GPL does not impose or assume morals such as having free download links etc… that’s in the eye of the beholder and the asute business person.
So…. let’s see who will be the one to upload these themes to Wordpress first under their own name for free download!
But the real question will be , let’s see who can offer the best “pay me for my time” business model with these themes… Brian’s winning so far!
Prior to switching to WP, I was locked into a “custom” CMS, developed by a so-called “dev partner” in the infancy of said CMS… Told to “sell the concept and we’ll build it.” Only after a year, to have ended in great disappointment because if what I wanted or needed for my clients was not inline with their “development roadmap”, I was left with NO option after “selling my clients the concept”.
Because of WP and people like Brian I am no longer locked to that depressing arrangement that almost put me out of business and now FREE to do what I do best; Design Websites! I have discovered the great new world of WP and quickly becoming a WP junkie.
I think some of you (the ones complaining about the change) who may have been using WP and Brian’s PREMIUM themes for awhile have forgotten; Quote from Open Source Initiative; (http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php)
“When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not price.”
I had downloaded two of the “free” PREMIUM themes prior to the change and have used them in several projects already (making $$). After the change took place and I needed another, I purchased the “Pro Plus All-Theme Package” without hesitation. The way my business is now going, I would have paid $199.95 for just one. To get ALL of them, plus support,.. A valuable investment!
I hope this contributed to the conversation.
Brian, keep up the good work! I think all the new stuff is great!
Steve
Matt, I’m very excited about the “mysterious project”, and can’t wait to launch that – it’s going to be aimed for specific areas of online web presence, if that helps.
Thanks Joe, I appreciate the support – once Matt made things clear, it only made sense to make some alterations to the current model.
Ed, there has always been support for the original themes on the Revolution Two site.
Thanks Tracy, we tend to think so too!
Chris – sorry you feel that way – the change in business model was an experiment we performed, and we’re making some changes based on the market and things that have become clear.
Thanks Jonathan, i appreciate that, and your continued encouragement about the Hedgehog!
Curious, eh?
No there isn’t a thread there at the forums, most discussion will take place here.
Not swayed, more than anything made a few things clear. Most people don’t realize that GPL doesn’t mean things have to be given away for free, and the bottom line is that theme development and support will continue to be the biggest part of my business.
your welcome, really I post in comments like this thinking about the audience and try to post where the site owner gains some value, but also the comment readers.
I come from a entrepreneurial and business mindset and understand that for me to get what I want as a customer, you as an org must receive what you want, or you will shut down. If I am cool with the org going away … I should want it all for as cheap as I can. However if I want you to continue providing a good/service … I should want to get it for as cheap as I want & you get *enough*, not necessarily just in money – but in whatever you value & everything does not have to come from me, or one type of customer.
It’s those little basic economic and business lessons I wish more people understood, and I believe I would be better off if more people did (as would they).
Thanks Mark – appreciate it and good to know that you’re in favor of this move!
Thanks Tina, I really appreciate what you said, and hope others feel the same way. I really have done my best to be fair to my users when things have changed, probably even on the side of too generous – but hey, that’s me!
Hi Tina,
We reciprocate your feelings about grandfathering … and how most of us have already recuperated our costs more than10 times over (to use your number). So – with the same sense of gratitude that you have highlighted above – we decided to take all Revolution affiliate code from all of our web properties (4 and counting) so that Brian does not have to pay us any affiliate commission on any purchases that are made through us. We will continue to maintain the same level of Revolution Ads and do so for no cost to Brian to help in our own little way. In our “looking back at 2008″ discussions, we felt that that was the least we could do for all the value Brian and his team have created for our little shop.
I thought I will share it with you.
Cheers,
MS
So I have Church already customized and Streamline almost done. Do I have to purchase them or abandon them?
Nothing changes until 1/1, so you are fine to use them for as long as you want.
Looking good, and no, per this comment you won’t have to change anything.
Thanks Susan, I appreciate what you’ve said, and hope that this year I can continue to develop quality themes that people feel are worth spending a few dollars for! And I’m sure the mystery project will be out sooner than I claim, because I always seem to end up coding like a maniac when I’m close to releasing a site!
Awesome! Thank you, Brian. I hope to make you proud of what I am striving to make them with my little knowledge.
I dont diss anybody for wanting money for themes. I totally agree that premium themes with premium features should have a price. And in this world you get what you pay for. If money wasnt so tight right now I would have gotten the support package already. God knows I could use it. lol. But I have just recently started to learn CSS, HTML and stuff and am having a lot of fun downloading themes from everybody and experimenting. Looking through the code to see how it is written, customizing images, etc. I learn best from examples. That’s one reason why I got so excited about Revolution being open source. The other is that I HAVE to be a cheapskate right now.
When money loosens up I will be purchasing…no matter what the business model is!
Yep, that’s my middle name
Brian, thanks for the comment, and I appreciate your point of view. The bottom line is that if a Revolution theme is obtained somewhere else, that person will not receive the benefits of purchasing through the site – ie support, tutorials, etc. That being said, a lot of people still find value in being assisted when setting up a theme, so the focus is still on support.
WordPress was built by people who believe in the GPL license. I don’t think it’s hypocritical to say we’re not going to promote people who violate the GPL license on our own website. People can (and do) make their own directories and websites for that. Why should we be forced to promote every theme/plugin/website in the world?
As of right now you can obtain them from the theme pages, but keep in mind that they are unsupported versions.
Nope I have not.
Lynne – the original Revolution One themes were retired a few months ago, and are no longer available at this time. As for the Lifestyle theme, yes, that theme is ready for WP 2.7!
Shouldn’t be that long of a wait Brian!
Hey Stephanie, yes, you are entitled to the Pro Plus package on the Revolution Two site at no cost. Just register on the support forums and then email me your username so I can upgrade your account. At that point you will have unlimited access to the Revolution Two themes as well as support for them.
bump
Hey dude,
I’m a fan of you and your work, and that’s not going to change, but I have to agree with Chris on the fact that it’s a tad lame to go through all the “hoopla” and build up in switching to the free model, only to “switch it back” a couple months later.
So, if anyone downloads all your themes today, they can still use them forever for free? But, if they want to download them on January 1st, they have to pay…but support will be included? Is that the deal?
I was unaware (as I’m sure many were) that this original change was an “experiment”. (your words – “the change in business model was an experiment we performed”). Maybe if you made that more clear from the beginning, then this wouldn’t come as a shock to some.
I have to admit that I don’t follow every single update though, so maybe I missed that this whole thing was just a “test”?
Also, it’d be cool to read a brief overview from you of why you are switching back, instead of just a link to an interview with someone else.
Anyway, your themes kick ass, and I love using them/referring people to them, but please stick to one model! lol
Looking forward to seeing what you do next.
Cheers!
Jay
The bottom line is that we wanted to develop themse and make them available under the GPL license – and the model we chose first on the Revolution Two site is being refined. I guess the word experiment is a little on the “harsh” side of things I didn’t mean to belittle the decsion I made by calling it an experiment or test. More or less I found that there is a better way to monetize the site so that I can continue to provide the best support forum as well as keep the spirit of the GPL license. Yes, the bottom line is that on 1/1 the incentive to purchase a theme package is still for the support, as it is now.
Thanks Brian ~ email sent!
Yeah, Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks Chris, I really do appreciate your words – yes, I admit I’ve been a little back and forth lately, and quite honestly it is a result of trying to walk the fine line of what is and isn’t accepted by WordPress, the GPL and what not. I’ve pretty much felt the role of the guinea pig when it comes to premium theme designers and what’s allowed, but that’s ok, I can take the heat. I guess I can consider myself an example of case law, and others can benefit from the ups and downs I take people on my business journey. BUT, as you mentioned, it has ALWAYS been my #1 priority to take care of my customers as I make decisions, so even though it may feel a little back and forth, from a value standpoint, users benefit the most!
>> To make those themes unavailable for those who don’t want to pay for the
>> themes is just wrong.
I can’t agree with that statement. As the creator of the themes, Brian can do whatever he pleases. Many good themes were never available free, yet I don’t hear you criticizing the publishers of those themes. Yet Brian will be charging for them after making them available free. If anything, he should be commended…at least he gave you a chance to get them free, unlike many other theme publishers.
Maybe his changing business model has been confusing, but this is his livelihood. He has a family to support. No matter how he’s packaged or priced his products, he’s offered some of the best themes and support available at any price.
I think he deserves far more credit than you’re giving him.
Happy New Year.
>> To make those themes unavailable for those who don’t want to pay for the
>> themes is just wrong.
To further elaborate on that statement, it’s like saying “For a restaurant to make steak dinners unavailable for those who don’t want to pay for them is just wrong.”
Or, “For a car dealer to make cars unavailable for those who don’t want to pay for them is just wrong.”
Brian’s themes and support are his products. Why should he be expected to give either of them away when restaurants, car dealers and thousands of other kinds of companies aren’t expected to give their products away?
Actually, I personally feel a violation of trust – even though it is virtual. I probably won’t be participating at any level, since we can never know what the rules will be next week.
Those that are carrying the water and enabling this sort of thing are the worst. Haven’t we seen enough justification based on “capitalism” and “business model” in recent months to, at least, begin to understand the doing the right thing has some merit – both as an approach to business and life.
I too, wish you well Brian – you seem to be a good guy from all indications. I just find this whipsawing of your followers and potential customers inexcusable and the enablers pathetic butt kissers.
Sorry to be so blunt, but it’s just the way I see it.
Mark,
I think you’re missing the point. While I don’t agree with everything that William is saying, I do agree with the point that he’s trying to make. The point is that Brian offered the themes for free, which got the interest and buy-in from people. Once they’re hooked, he then changes his business model and now wants to charge for what used to be free. If he had mentioned that to begin with, he would not have gotten as much interest in his themes. Nobody is asking him to give anything away for free. However, he has proven that he is not true to his word as he mentioned when explaining the business model of Revolution 2. Plain and simple.
Oh my.
In an email to me on December 26, you wrote this concerning the re-release of Revolution One themes:
“Steve, just so you know, I am not planning on re-releasing those themes – I was simply trying to get feedback, and have since decided to not do this…”
Which answer is it?
I was referring to any public decisions in terms of releasing the exact themes as they were on Rev 1. In some form, I may take elements of each theme and re-use them with future themes I release, but that isn’t anything different than the way it is now.
Carol,
I see your point, but:
1) William was very dictatorial in saying that it’s “just wrong” for Brian not to continue giving away his products (his livelihood) free. If Brian changed his model, there has to be a reason. Apparently, not enough people were paying for the themes. Brian has to survive, and I think it’s “just wrong” for someone to tell him that he has to give his products away forever just because he tried it.
2) At least Brian gave them away for a while. As of today you can download a great collection of themes at no charge. Yet Brian is getting criticism for not keeping them free, whereas other companies charge hundreds of dollars for a similar collection. Even though they never gave anything away, Brian is the one getting criticized.
3) You make it sound as if Brian built all the momentum for Revolution by giving away free themes. This is very far from the truth. Up until a few weeks ago, the Revolution themes were all sold, not given away. The interest in Revolution began long ago when people realized that the themes are great. He tried a different business model and it didn’t work. He has to survive, so at least he should get credit for having tried that. But it’s not like he gave away themes for two years and then started charging.
Happy New Year.
I think Carol & William are missing the point. Brian made it VERY clear about Rev 2BEFORE it started. That is what is plain and simple. Look at it as a taste test in the grocery store. Personally I was was literaly jumping for joy for the free stuff. But I cannot justify getting upset because they arent going to be free. Besides it is a business and business’ constantly change. If they don’t mold themselves to the market then the market will make them sink. Look at the big 3 automakers, banks and other companies going down the tubes right now. The purpose of being in business is not to give people jobs or create free products, it is to make a profit.
Do you get upset because you have to pay for a music download? You can hear it on broadcast and internet radio for free, so why should you have to pay 99 cents for a download?
Because it’s a product! Someone created it with the intention of someone consuming it.
I cant honestly believe there are that many people out there that are lambasting Brian about this. You all sound like a bunch of little spoiled rotten little brats that are mad because they aren’t getting their way.
Go to bed, without supper. YOUR GROUNDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
@ Brian I wish you a very profitable New Year
Rawk on!
So if Coca Cola gave away free soda in the store and then went back to charging you would consider them to be ripping you off? Get real people. This is marketing. It is a business. Brian has a right to do whatever the heck he wants with his products. If he wants to give them away free one day and charge $1,000,000 the next day he can do it. Brian’s themes are the best, free or paid, and his is the most ethical and community oriented designer out there.
Ed, I just wanted to take a minute and to say thanks for posting this – I do appreciate you taking the time to speak your mind, and wanted to point that out!
Well said!!
Hi Brian:
I came to download one of your R2 themes but was disappointed to find that you’ve taken the download links away.
I’m more than a bit disappointed by this. I bought the R1 all-inclusive package just before R2 was released explicitly because you stated you were moving to open-source. I’m a big believer in open-source and think that your themes could easily (have) become defacto-standard if you left them freely available and that potential for defacto-standardization was very important to me.
However, unless I misunderstand I think it means that you’ll instead revert back to being just another premium theme provider scratching and clawing among all the other premium theme providers and theming architecture patterns will be much less likely to crystalize much like the lack of a common language stunted all progress at the Tower of Babble.
So if I haven’t been explicit enough yet, this is a real disappointment.
That said, I need access to several of the themes and since I’m an R1 all-inclusive customer I get them, right. I don’t know if you remember me but what do I need to do to get access, how do I? I need it ASAP. Thanks.
-Mike
This is how I read it: Brian thought Matt had a problem with him selling themes. It now appears that Matt has no problem with him selling themes. Therefore, Brian has reverted to selling themes, as this is an infinitely superior business model to giving them away.