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Open Up TinyGrab - Drop the API's
My concern, before spending this money on the pro version, has to do with operation long-term. I bought grabup, which is now broken and my money was wasted.
I'm concerned that a lot of your application uses API's to your site/service, and if you go out of business, I'm, again, stuck with an app that is broken and useless.
Please consider revising the architecture of this app to be self contained, use license codes to unlock the software, and make it entirely self-sufficient.
This includes managing settings and FTP information in the app, unlocking a paid app without a verification server, and opening up the way in which TinyGrab recognizes new screenshots, in case Apple changes the way OS X names or stores them going forward.
It's in the best interest of your customers to not cripple your software by making it phone home via API's to function. This will give me a lot more confidence in the product. The day you do it, my money is yours.
Nobody likes the "it's your software, we'll just keep it down at my house" approach to development.
I'm concerned that a lot of your application uses API's to your site/service, and if you go out of business, I'm, again, stuck with an app that is broken and useless.
Please consider revising the architecture of this app to be self contained, use license codes to unlock the software, and make it entirely self-sufficient.
This includes managing settings and FTP information in the app, unlocking a paid app without a verification server, and opening up the way in which TinyGrab recognizes new screenshots, in case Apple changes the way OS X names or stores them going forward.
It's in the best interest of your customers to not cripple your software by making it phone home via API's to function. This will give me a lot more confidence in the product. The day you do it, my money is yours.
Nobody likes the "it's your software, we'll just keep it down at my house" approach to development.
I’m hesitant
6
people like this idea
I like this idea!
Tell me when this idea gets some attention.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The company has not planned to implement this.
The best point from the company
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I'm afraid that my personal and official stance on this request is a firm no. The moment we 'open up' TinyGrab and make it a self sufficient app, is the moment that we become Grabup and all of those other services.
If we were to make the TinyGrab apps self sufficient, you would need to buy and download 'licenses' for every single TinyGrab app. You'd have separate licenses for Mac, Windows and iPhone. We also couldn't tie you in to actually managing your grabs online with a user account.
TinyGrab, unlike any other 'grab' service, guarantees you operational service for six months (from the date you purchased a premium account). If TinyGrab is to close, or cease operations, within this period, then we shall refund you based on our Terms of Service agreement.
You are not paying for the TinGrab application. The TinyGrab application(s) are is/are offered as freeware. You are paying for access to the TinyGrab servers and service. You are paying for your user account. For us and for you there are many benefits for this.
Should Keyone Productions have to cease its operation of the TinyGrab project, with no signs of being able to operate it any further, we shall release the source code for TinyGrab and make it an 'open project'.
TinyGrab is not your software. We explicitly state this within the Terms of Service. TinyGrab is our software, it is our service. For the fee of £10 you are given the privilege of using the service. Should TinyGrab be forced to close, we do have measures in place to preserve its integrity.
TinyGrab doesn't have any issues, currently, if Apple decides to change the way that it names screenshots (again). We pull Apple's APIs for screen grabbing to discover the system's default filename for screenshots. We then use that to operate TinyGrab.
I understand your hesitance towards TinyGrab and I understand your frustration with the Grabup management; however TinyGrab is a different project entirely, operated by a different organisation. We made an executive decision to move with accounts, rather than licenses, for our own reasons. Piracy is one issue, another is keeping the TinyGrab user experience the same wherever you login.
I'm sorry for what might seem like a father shocking message, but it is where we stand on this point. It is not currently up for revision.
I’m indifferent
The company and 1 other person think
this is one of the best points
Create a customer community for your own organization
Plans starting at $19/month
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Inappropriate?I'm afraid that my personal and official stance on this request is a firm no. The moment we 'open up' TinyGrab and make it a self sufficient app, is the moment that we become Grabup and all of those other services.
If we were to make the TinyGrab apps self sufficient, you would need to buy and download 'licenses' for every single TinyGrab app. You'd have separate licenses for Mac, Windows and iPhone. We also couldn't tie you in to actually managing your grabs online with a user account.
TinyGrab, unlike any other 'grab' service, guarantees you operational service for six months (from the date you purchased a premium account). If TinyGrab is to close, or cease operations, within this period, then we shall refund you based on our Terms of Service agreement.
You are not paying for the TinGrab application. The TinyGrab application(s) are is/are offered as freeware. You are paying for access to the TinyGrab servers and service. You are paying for your user account. For us and for you there are many benefits for this.
Should Keyone Productions have to cease its operation of the TinyGrab project, with no signs of being able to operate it any further, we shall release the source code for TinyGrab and make it an 'open project'.
TinyGrab is not your software. We explicitly state this within the Terms of Service. TinyGrab is our software, it is our service. For the fee of £10 you are given the privilege of using the service. Should TinyGrab be forced to close, we do have measures in place to preserve its integrity.
TinyGrab doesn't have any issues, currently, if Apple decides to change the way that it names screenshots (again). We pull Apple's APIs for screen grabbing to discover the system's default filename for screenshots. We then use that to operate TinyGrab.
I understand your hesitance towards TinyGrab and I understand your frustration with the Grabup management; however TinyGrab is a different project entirely, operated by a different organisation. We made an executive decision to move with accounts, rather than licenses, for our own reasons. Piracy is one issue, another is keeping the TinyGrab user experience the same wherever you login.
I'm sorry for what might seem like a father shocking message, but it is where we stand on this point. It is not currently up for revision.
I’m indifferent
The company and 1 other person think
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?I'm really sorry/surprised to hear this.
No one likes handing control and access to their personal or corporate FTP servers over to a stranger. This is pretty much DRM'ing a service, and nobody like DRM.
You say if you go out of business, you'll refund my money. Do you understand what a laughable statement that is? If you go out of business, you might not have any money. You're going to spend my money running your servers for this service and paying yourselves. Where is this "magic" refund going to come from when you close shop?
A company with no real reputation cannot play the "trust us" card. Your website says "this is a side-project". It SAYS that. So no, that doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
Thanks for pointing out that I don't ever really own the software. Given your complete cavalier attitude about software rights and complete closed-minded stance on hearing out ideas from customers, I'm all set to pass now.
Keep your walled garden up and run your closed service. I'll find another solution. There will be an open source solution that will bury this service in months with this weird ecosystem you've built this on.
And when I find it, I'll be sure to let everyone on your Get Satisfaction page know about it like you've done over at GrabUp's.
I’m moving on
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
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This is one of the best points
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Sorry, that doesn't even make sense. What has DRM got to do with cloud-based software? Are you going to boycott Google next? -
Inappropriate?TinyGrab is indeed a side project of Keyone Productions, which is a profitable UK business in its 3rd year of trading. We are covered by insurance liability. If we have to pay out refunds to our users, then we are covered. We can promise this.
As for companies without a reputation, all startups need to build their reputation. We have respected and known developers working on side and with the team. We have agreements in place with the Rackspace Cloud, our hosting providers.
We are not going to open up TinyGrab and move to license keys for the simple reason that these keys can be easily hacked and leaked. This could, theoretically, create a huge increase in server usage by unauthorised TinyGrab apps. An increase in server usage, without the necessary funds behind it to support it would lead to a decrease in service. This could then place us in the very scenario that you are describing above.
We have plans to open up our API's, to make them accessible to other companies; but we have no plans to open up our application to the wider community. This keeps our product and the overall experience safe and, most importantly, controlled.
I’m indifferent
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Inappropriate?The point is that I wouldn't use your server - FOR ANYTHING. I upload to my own, and send it from the app to my FTP. Therefore you have nothing to support.
Your dependence on registration and licensing through your site is only dictated by the boorish nature in which you've designed the app to need your server to do ANYTHING.
Open it up, make it not need to touch your server, and if someone steals a copy here and there, bad karma on them, but I guarantee you a lot more professionals will purchase your app.
I want a dependable solution, not a meaningless promise.
Look at your Get Satisfaction tag - "im indifferent" - how in the hell do you think that makes customers feel? -
Inappropriate?I understand your point with managing FTP through the application itself (and not through TinyGrab's servers), however we still stand by FTP being controlled via the API system.
If TinyGrab fails then we'll whack in an FTP update to the app itself before we close the project. However this is not in the project's current ethos.
Simple screenshot sharing. Everything is controlled from one place. Unity over all of the applications. A cloud service.
I'm indifferent to this suggestion for several reasons. One of them is because of your threatening attitude, another it your brash rudeness and impoliteness. You are not a TinyGrab customer, you are threatening us with claims and accusations if you do not get your own way. I have stated the official line on this feature already and at this moment in time I stand by that statement.
From the off your attitude was rude. "You don't have this feature, I want it and I MIGHT buy a copy of your product... if not I'll spread nasty and vile rumours about you via the internet" - That is a threat against a company who is providing a service to its customers, which you are not one of.
Shame on you.
I’m indifferent
2 people think
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?I'm not threatening anything, but good idea. I think I will tell a few people about your awful product.
"If TinyGrab fails you get a refund!"
"If TinyGrab fails, we will hack in a code to make it work completely differently! That's right - while we're failing financially and scrambling for new jobs, it will be a top priority to get a new version out first, to not screw our customers, since we designed this thing ass-backwards!"
"If TinyGrab fails, we will release the code!"
All promises from, sorry, NOBODY. You're as credible to me as I am to you.
"Give us your FTP info, we will control everything from our handy, dandy, TinyGrab magic servers! Step right up! Step right up!"
And forget the fact that you're poaching the hell out of GrabUp, but no one can do it to you? Get off your high horse.
Real professional, COMPANY.
I'm glad I finally elicited some emotion from you, though. Did you have to check with your server API to post that?
I’m eating a panda
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Inappropriate?I'm with Chris on this.
It's immature and ignorant to expect businesses to leave profitable models and move onto so-called 'open standards'.
The idea is that you pay for usage of the TinyGrab service for a certain amount of time. I can't see any advantage to your suggested model - it earns less and is far less secure from a business standpoint. It's also completely irrelevant to the nature of the product.
They have a service that works in a way that countless users use daily, and appreciate - they're not going to suddenly stop, rewrite everything and give everything they've worked hard to create away.
With regards to Keyone Productions, our company has had a long working relationship with them and they've never let us down. We've also been using the product since its launch.
There's always one...
I’m amused
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Inappropriate?How embarrassing this is becoming for you.
First of all, your company was founded in 2006. You're barely three years old. Don't talk about yourself like you are Accenture.
Your website has a picture of a kid, presumably you, next to a tripod. Two kids run this company. You have the company equivalent of a podcast; your parents bought you a computer and you made a piece of software and put it on a feed to see who would bite.
Comparing yourself to Google - wow, the arrogance on you. Stop it.
And now your friend comes along and can't be bothered to brush his hair out of his face long enough to make sense.
"We have a long standing relationship with his company..."
DO YOU? You liar. His company is three years old, and you look like you're 14. Stop. Stop with your lying. You haven't had a long standing relationship with anything but a juice box, CHILD.
You're trying to make yourself look like a company, and it's embarrassing.
And now you're bordering on libel for making me sound like I've threatened to badmouth you or spread falsities. I tried to have a dialogue, and you're being a bitch.1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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I just want to clarify, I *personally* am in no way affiliated with TinyGrab or Keyone Productions.
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This reply was removed on 09/08/09.
see the change log -
Not appropriate and rather rude comment there, Patrick.
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This comment was removed on 09/02/09.
see the change log -
Swear and insult me all you want, kid, but it's not clever. It's not cool. It's not big, and it certainly isn't smart. You want to put up a strong argument? Cut the unnecessary language and start talking english, bud.
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"bud"? Did I just step in to an episode of the Andy Griffith show?
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I'll admit, that was quite a good comeback.
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Inappropriate?I'm disappointed that you have such a low opinion of me. Oh, it was me that compared TinyGrab's implementation of cloud-storage to that of Google. Really, it's the same principle - I hope I don't have to explain.
GridFusions was founded in 2004 and has since made profit in the tertiary and quaternary sectors by offering high quality web-based services, including Furion, TfH and the upcoming StormCloud.
I'll admit, it's a pretty old photo. I much preferred the cupcake.
Edit: I just want to clarify, I *personally* am in no way affiliated with TinyGrab or Keyone Productions.
I’m indifferent, confident and otherwise amused.
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Inappropriate?I just bought a membership to this service, but after seeing the way Chris and his buddy are handling the situation, I'm starting to think that it wasn't a good idea. Patrick is being abrasive, but he raises good points that the company is failing to address. This cloud model is needlessly over-complicating a simple, simple service. I want to take a picture of a work in progress, and have it shoot up to my FTP. I don't need to manage it through your site, I don't care if I have to set it up on both my machines, and I REALLY don't care about shooting screens on my iPhone. It seems like you're using "the cloud" to justify a weird payment model, and Chris's defensiveness is making me very uncomfortable.
I’m disenchanted
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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I just want to clarify, I *personally* am in no way affiliated with TinyGrab or Keyone Productions.
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Inappropriate?It's nothing like a cloud service - the images are going to MY server. My app - sorry, the app I paid for but isn't mine - just has to ask YOUR server if it's ok to send a file to my own server.
That's not the same at all.
And right or wrong, I trust Google a little more, at least from a reliability standpoint.
I’m meh
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Inappropriate?I'm talking to Chris on AIM. We'll handle this there, so the kids can play on here.
EMPLOYEE
