I'm a long time user of HS and various plugins, but usually just read the forum in silence. I know this is controversial as no one wants to displease the a plugin author, but HS really needs to step in more and regulate whats happening. Locally there are 4 of us who use HS and many different plugins, but many us have the same exact problem.
What made me post this now is I just saw a Denon thread where the person bought the plugin and has posted repeatedly, then the user finally post saying "I guess Blade is busy". This happens so many times, it is just not ok. I know the plugin author will reply promptly to this user now that I've just bought this up, but the history of inadequate support still exist. This is not about Blade, this is about getting more oversight of plugins.
Let me say there are many great plugin authors that are responsive and helpful. Like Spud, Ultra, Mark Sandler, etc. Even free plugins like Jon00, CFguy, etc are extremely responsive. I nor anyone else expect free plugin authors to do anything, but paid plugin authors need to live up to a standard. That is not the case here with some authors. You've got plugin authors like Blade who corner the market with massive number of plugins, 36 paid plugins at last count, but offer little or no support at all. On top on not providing existing product support, they continue to produce more plugins, while paid users are left to beg and plea for basic support.
I understand that these authors spend a lot of time creating these products, but once you start selling, there is a reasonable expectation that you will support. I'm not talking about the annoying user who ask 10 different obvious questions about issues that have solutions in the forums or are explained in the plugin documentation.
Yes, there is a 30 day trial, but the 30 day trial does not help especially with a software like HS because there are constant changes and these changes can affect plugins.
First I'm not trying to single out anyone, but this needs to be said because its been going for so many years. I know some of the pro users will step in and say Blade is responsive. Yes, he is selectively responsive to more prominent long time HS users, but to the newbie or others who read the forums, more than post, there is very little response. Please review Blades threads for the last 2 years and you will see, there are initial one sentence replies, then request for log, then no response or "will get back to you" or "I'll look into it". Most of the post in Blades threads are replied to by other users, not blade who seems to be MIA. There are thread where a user reports a problem, then gets a few words of generic initial reply, then the user has to "bump the thread" a 2 months later, then bump it 5 months later, then after nearly a year, gets a reply! Each step of blades reply, submit log(for errors), submit feature request(small tweaks), etc, adds weeks if not months-- only to get no reply in the end. This is ridiculous! This is not being busy but just intentional neglect. This has been going on for years now.
I'm grateful Blade has 36 paid plugins, but if you're not able to support your existing plugin, then please stop making more. If you're unable to support your plugins, then stop selling them. I understand you're one person, but it is you who has chosen to sell all these plugin. Then it is your responsibility to offer support.
I know users will be fearful of blade not selling his plugins, but if he doesn't that's fine. The market will take over and new authors will emerge. Look at Spud, great innovative plugins, seems to have come out of no where and has filled in the holes that are much needed in HS.
Fear: Most users are afraid to speak up because if you do, the author may not reply to your request or help. This is why HS needs to allow user to post a review using an alias or anonymously. This really needs to be done.
Solution-
1 . Forum Based Review Thread:
I know there is a review system on the product page, but most people don't review there, plus it doesn't allow you to use alias. Create a Forum based anonymous or alias review submission system. This way new users to the HS and new users to that particular author know before hand what they are getting into. The plugin product page can have a link to the forum review. This way everyone knows what they are getting into.
2. HS Regulation:
And if an author of paid plugin is unresponsive to users, their rights to publish further plugins should be monitored or prohibited. This way unresponsive authors are allowed to prey on unsuspecting users, especially new users. This is why a better forum based review system is needed.
What made me post this now is I just saw a Denon thread where the person bought the plugin and has posted repeatedly, then the user finally post saying "I guess Blade is busy". This happens so many times, it is just not ok. I know the plugin author will reply promptly to this user now that I've just bought this up, but the history of inadequate support still exist. This is not about Blade, this is about getting more oversight of plugins.
Let me say there are many great plugin authors that are responsive and helpful. Like Spud, Ultra, Mark Sandler, etc. Even free plugins like Jon00, CFguy, etc are extremely responsive. I nor anyone else expect free plugin authors to do anything, but paid plugin authors need to live up to a standard. That is not the case here with some authors. You've got plugin authors like Blade who corner the market with massive number of plugins, 36 paid plugins at last count, but offer little or no support at all. On top on not providing existing product support, they continue to produce more plugins, while paid users are left to beg and plea for basic support.
I understand that these authors spend a lot of time creating these products, but once you start selling, there is a reasonable expectation that you will support. I'm not talking about the annoying user who ask 10 different obvious questions about issues that have solutions in the forums or are explained in the plugin documentation.
Yes, there is a 30 day trial, but the 30 day trial does not help especially with a software like HS because there are constant changes and these changes can affect plugins.
First I'm not trying to single out anyone, but this needs to be said because its been going for so many years. I know some of the pro users will step in and say Blade is responsive. Yes, he is selectively responsive to more prominent long time HS users, but to the newbie or others who read the forums, more than post, there is very little response. Please review Blades threads for the last 2 years and you will see, there are initial one sentence replies, then request for log, then no response or "will get back to you" or "I'll look into it". Most of the post in Blades threads are replied to by other users, not blade who seems to be MIA. There are thread where a user reports a problem, then gets a few words of generic initial reply, then the user has to "bump the thread" a 2 months later, then bump it 5 months later, then after nearly a year, gets a reply! Each step of blades reply, submit log(for errors), submit feature request(small tweaks), etc, adds weeks if not months-- only to get no reply in the end. This is ridiculous! This is not being busy but just intentional neglect. This has been going on for years now.
I'm grateful Blade has 36 paid plugins, but if you're not able to support your existing plugin, then please stop making more. If you're unable to support your plugins, then stop selling them. I understand you're one person, but it is you who has chosen to sell all these plugin. Then it is your responsibility to offer support.
I know users will be fearful of blade not selling his plugins, but if he doesn't that's fine. The market will take over and new authors will emerge. Look at Spud, great innovative plugins, seems to have come out of no where and has filled in the holes that are much needed in HS.
Fear: Most users are afraid to speak up because if you do, the author may not reply to your request or help. This is why HS needs to allow user to post a review using an alias or anonymously. This really needs to be done.
Solution-
1 . Forum Based Review Thread:
I know there is a review system on the product page, but most people don't review there, plus it doesn't allow you to use alias. Create a Forum based anonymous or alias review submission system. This way new users to the HS and new users to that particular author know before hand what they are getting into. The plugin product page can have a link to the forum review. This way everyone knows what they are getting into.
2. HS Regulation:
And if an author of paid plugin is unresponsive to users, their rights to publish further plugins should be monitored or prohibited. This way unresponsive authors are allowed to prey on unsuspecting users, especially new users. This is why a better forum based review system is needed.
, but I still would state that you are showing threads on this forum, some of which are not even bugs, while Blade specifically asks for a Help Desk ticket to be filed. These forums are not the place to ask for help from a developer.
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