Geek & Mild by Sean Sperte

Feb 6th, 2007 Entitlemint

Mint logo

Shaun Inman recently released a new version of his website stat-tracking software, Mint. The upgrade features many new improvements to the previous version, but the bulk of the full version change came in the form of speed increases, a new(ish) interface, and updated default modules (called Peppers). Oh, and it now supports IE PC — which is perhaps the reason for the influx of crazys on the Mint support forums, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Now let me get this out of the way before I go on: Though I own licenses for Mint, and read Shaun’s blog regularly, I do not know him personally. I think we’ve had one off-site conversation over email, but that’s it. Beyond what I’ve read on his site and what others say about him, I don’t have any other point of reference with which to judge his character.

If web developers were sports cars

Let’s be honest. Shaun’s work is an inspiration. His designs, software, and methods are all pace-setting. When he uses X and Y, we all “ooh” and “aah” and start to use X and Y too. He’s like a modern pide piper.

On a personal level, I remember first coming across shauninman.com when I was just discovering the Web Standards movement. I learned so much by dissecting his stylesheets and HTML. In a way, he’s sort of like a mentor to me. Shaun is like the Ferrari of web developers, and I feel like a Dodge Neon compared to him.

Yes, I respect him a lot.

Bad breath needs Mint

I guess that’s one of the reasons I take so much offense when I read responses knee-jerk reactions to the upgrade cost (of $19) for the new version of Mint. Enter those crazys I mentioned:

I think charging customers $19 to upgrade their ‘Mint’ software is an absolute joke, and a disgraceful demand on Shaun Inman’s behalf.

And:

I have to say I’m very dissappointed. I love what Shaun does. Great design work. Excellent ideas and awesome developpement. But paying 19$ for an upgrade. I think I’ll pass. Sorry Shaun.[sic]

And:

[…] why should we have to pay for an upgrade to Mint 2? It seems a bit unfair.

As if Shaun were indebted to those who’ve purchase his software, and must therefore make good by supplying free support, upgrades and compliments. Riiiight.

I do understand some of the frustration these people have over an upgrade fee — I’ve questioned his decision and the cost, too — but this attitude of entitlement is what irritates me. If anyone has entitlement here it’s the guy who holds all the cards: Shaun Inman.

Let’s remember, we’re all using his software. He developed it. He packaged it, and he licenses it. We’re just users of the stuff, not owners. Hence the license agreement we must agree to before installing it. He’s not Google, and can’t just give away the stuff he creates because he’s floating in a river of income. He’s a real guy with real needs, wants and feelings.

Old mints still freshen

I’ve purchased Mint 2. I did so just last night, in fact. I wanted to track this website’s stats. Sure I could use one of the other stat-tracker titles already installed on the server, but I wanted something more streamlined and focused. I decided Mint was the perfect product for me.

I’ve also purchased licenses for The City Church in the past. I won’t, however, be upgrading those — at least not for a while. I don’t need to. Mint version 1 already does everything I need it to do for those sites. Version 2 offers some great features I’d love to have, but don’t need.

The new iPod nanos are pretty sweet, too. Do you think if I complain to Apple that it’s unfair to charge full price for me to upgrade my first-gen nano they’ll listen and understand? Doubt it.

Fresh perspective

I challenge anyone who feels Mint’s upgrade price is too steep to take a good, hard look at what they’re getting for the price they’re getting it at. Do some comparisons. What can $20 get you?

Anything in that list you’d be willing to give up for a software package that’s well-built, comes with free support, a wonderful development community, and actually does what it says it’s supposed to do?

I tip my hat to Shaun, and wish him the best of luck with the future of Mint (and other endeavors). That’s free of charge.

Comments

sj
February 7, 2007

Absolutely agree – the crazy thing about the web design community is that they expect everything to be free. They charge 10 grand to their clients for web design, plus hosting, plus hourly charges for every change. And they do so with tools that are mostly free. Inman spends days working on this thing, and it’s fantastic. He has every right to charge whatever he wants for it.

The customers that constantly complain about price aren’t the customers you want anyway. Spend your time building great products or delivering great services for clients who understand and appreciate what they’re getting and are more than happy to pay what it’s worth.

Rob
February 7, 2007

I definitely agree with you on some of those insane comments. In a non-aggressive way though I do partially agree with them. Mint does a lot of the exactly same things that say Google Analytics does but costs $30. I think the name “Shaun Inman” sells more copies of Mint than anything else. I use it on a daily basis but, like you, don’t see any reason to upgrade. I think $20 to upgrade is steep. I don’t think it should be free but definitely not 20 bucks. Maybe more like 10. I’m all about supporting the independent developer but at some point am not willing to the jump. For some reason I’m more apt to spend $15-$20 for disco or appZapper; something that in my mind took more effort and knowledge to create. When it comes down to it could have taken more time or energy to create Mint then those other two programs but it’s hard to justify the cost on a web-based app. That may be silly, but oh well.

Jesse J. Anderson
February 7, 2007

Gotta say, I can’t agree with you here, 2/3 the price for an upgrade? That’s just way too much. From what I can tell the additions from Mint 1 to Mint 2 are all things that shoud’ve been free upgrades, not brand new features.

Take a look at the list of “what’s new in Mint 2” here – http://www.haveamint.com/about/feature_highlights#new-in-2-features

Just about everything listed are things like “improved this,” “refined that,” “now fully supports this.” Basically a laundry list of things that weren’t done well enough initially, so now he’s fixed them and is asking for more money.

And the comparison to ipod being updated is just lame. You can’t compare hardware and software, at least try to come up with a comparison that is even remotely similar.

Do I sound bitter? Well I am, because now within a couple of months all of the “pepper” that I know tat works so well and is constantly updated (for free) will become incompatible with my version of mint which I purchased less than a year ago.

Don’t get me wrong, Mint is great… but had I known I was purchasing a limited one-year license, I would’ve passed.

sj
February 8, 2007

Again, it’s TWENTY DOLLARS. If Mint is a tool that you consistently use, something that helps you more effectively do business, or even something that you show to clients and make them go “wow!” then you’re more than getting your money’s worth. Enjoy your free code editor and your free FTP tool and your (probably pirated and/or former employer provided) copy of Photoshop, pony up the Jackson and get over it.

Sean
February 9, 2007

It’s not the amount, it’s the fact that it costs anything that’s really bothering people. And that, as I said, is a matter of (Shaun’s) prerogative.

But let’s look at this a different way.

What if Mint were a subscription-based service? What if it were $20 per year? Would it be worth it?

  • Gotta Flickr Pro account? That’s more expensive.
  • .Mac account? Way more expensive.
  • Backpack or Basecamp? Both more.
  • Season Pass on iTunes to a TV show? More.

What is Mint really worth to you … that’s the question you have to answer when considering the upgrade cost. Unfortunately, most people aren’t honest if asked to donate according to worth; so Shaun’s mandated a static price for everyone.

I happen to think it’s fair, and worth it.

Jesse J. Anderson
February 9, 2007

You’re right, technically it is cheaper than all that other stuff as a subscription.

The problem is, I feel as though I was slightly tricked with it being offered as one-time price. Whether I would be willing to pay $20/year for it isn’t really the point. It’s more that I paid $30 for it, thinking I was buying a full product that was going to be continuously supported both by the creator and the community. Instead less than a yea later I’m basically given the boot as soo all that aforementioned community support will no longer help me as it will all be supporting the“fixed” version of Mint – Mint 2.

I’m apt to not upgrade just based on that aspect of feeling tricked. What if in 6 months Inman actually creates some new features for mint (as opposed to the fixes and tweaks that is Mint 2)… and say these features are “cool” enough to warrant another upgrade fee, this time $40 (cuz the new features are just that cool). Am I out $50 now for software that I purchased expecting the community support?

I don’t like my software purchases to be gambles. When I pay for a Flickr Pro account I know exactly what I’m going to be getting for the year… no worry that halfway into my year they’re going to release a bunch of new features and suddenly to continue using it I have to fork out more dough.

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