Hi Mark,

Thank-you for your thoughtful message. A couple of points to your two quick points.

I. Most companies understand the most efficient opportunity for them to market new products is to existing customers-- you've probably heard the term 'low hanging fruit' before. This market is easily targeted (user registration emails, forums, newsletters and websites), and the adoption rate is much higher than any other form of marketing. Most companies cherish this opportunity, and the users who go along with it.

So, my first point is e-on should recognize the value of their current customer base and create their pricing accordingly.

As a new (1+ yrs) user of Vue, it was only because of their customer's stunning images (like Eran Dinur's) that I purchased the product in the first place (Esprit) and then only because of the helpful souls here that I upgraded it to Vue-I.

If Vue doesn't recognize this fact, then they will lose customers, or even worse, look like a company who doesn't know what they're doing. All said, there are companies who successfully continually treat their customer base with little respect (Apple and MS come to mind). This typically happens in a environment where there is little to no competition. That is not the case with Vue.

II. Regarding your second point, about Vue's visibility to the community. I'm not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg.  If you ever get a chance, saunter over to either Nevercenter's Silo3D or Luxology's Modo forums. Both companies carry on active dialog with their customers, and very little bickering goes on. Is it because the products are 'better' than Vue? I don't think so. A little bit of attention to paying customers can go a long way. I notice whenever Steve Bell takes a moment to respond over in e-on's forum, things go better right away. There will always be the malcontent, but many times the community polices itself regarding these individuals.

Customers are Vue's best and greatest asset. The sooner they embrace that concept fully, the more success will come to them. Just imagine if Vue's president posted a note here saying:

"While we love all our customers, we also understand the current 3D market to be a very difficult one to survive in, let alone thrive in. As much as we would like to reward all of you with a super low cost upgrade to Vue 6, it doesn't allow us to generate enough sustaining revenue to continue improving our product. In the past, taking the 'low road' has cost other 3D landscape programs future development  resources and eventually the forced sale of the franchise. I know we and our customers want Vue to be around for the long time!

So, our pricing model is based upon what we need to continue to create great products for all of you. From time to time, we will be announcing specials, both on our website and Cornucopia. All of these will be mentioned in our Cornucopia newsletter, so if you're not subscribed, please do so if you're interested.

Best regards, Nicholas"

I believe this straightforward approach would do a lot to ease tensions about the current pricing strategies. Being honest and straightforward is never a bad thing.

-Chipp