Whenever I release a new version of Space Trader, I upload the latest release to several big distribution sites. Within a few weeks, this new version will have spread to almost all other distribution sites.
When version 1.2.0 of Space Trader was released, I wanted to go through the same motions. However, I noticed a lot of things had changed since I last did this in January 2002. Many sites have installed a system where you can pay to have your product get boons like being listed under "new updates", getting reviewed, or (god forbid) appear on "recommended" lists. Yes, popularity of these distribution sites has soared, and by golly, some people are going to make lots of money from it!
The whole "pay to get your product a better placement among the other products" is a bit fishy in itself. You cannot trust recommendations on a site that offers software developers these possibilities. A site that has installed such a scheme has thrown honesty overboard to erect an altar for Mammon. Of course, that's what advertising is all about, and as long as site visitors realize that (which, sadly, they often don't) I can live with that.
But it gets worse.
When I was trying to update my listing on ZDNet/CNet (merged in Upload.com), after uploading the new version of the software and filling out a (long) list of update specifications, I was confronted with a screen that asked how I wanted to have them support my "product". I could buy all kinds of nice services from them for serious amounts of dough. Of course, I scrolled down to the bottom of the page where I expected to find the choice "No special treatment of my software, free of charge." It wasn't there. Instead, I found it said "No special treatment of my software, $49."
Forty-nine dollars.
I was annoyed.
Of course, since Space Trader is a free game, I am not going to pay for it to appear on some site. So I didn't choose any of these options (there was no choice "WHAT? You want my money? Well then, **** it!"), but just left their site in disgust.
Personally, I find this "payment required" policy very strange. Distribution sites live by completeness, which they can only achieve by enlisting the support of software developers. I am willing to take the trouble to supply them with the latest version of my free software. If they want me to pay for that privilige, they can just forget it.
PalmGear still rules: free and immediate access to my own software listings. PalmGear does make money from software listings. PalmGear receives provisions on sales through their site. That's how it should be.
But the story goes on. Evidently, Upload.com keeps track of updates that have not been completed. After a few days, I received the following email.
Thank you for submitting your product to Upload.com!
We need a few more items from you before we can process your title and add it to our download library. Please return to Upload.com and log in to choose a listing package and complete your submission:
http://www.upload.com/
Click the "Requires Payment" link in your Upload Manager to get started.
Here are some of the benefits of listing your product through Upload.com:
- Guaranteed placement in our worldwide Downloads library, including Download.com, ZDNet Downloads, and MSN Downloads.
- Massive reach: CNET Networks reaches over 55 million unique users per month.
- Massive downloads: Our library drives over 2.5 million downloads per day.
- Fast processing: We offer 10-day processing time for our basic $49 listing option; our subscription packages feature even faster turnaround and unlimited updates.
- Enhanced customer support: We are committed to providing the best customer care possible. If you have a question about your listing, we will respond promptly and offer assistance.
- New promotional opportunities: We are now offering a range of new promotional placements in key areas on Download.com and ZDNet Downloads. These placements will help drive more downloads and increase exposure of your product throughout the CNET Downloads library. These placements are guaranteed with the purchase of a Silver, Gold, or Elite listing subscription. Click here for a full description of these listing options: http://upload.com.com/1200-21-949840.html
- Reporting: We offer daily and monthly reports of download counts and page views for all Gold and Silver Listing subscribers.
Thanks again for visiting Upload.com. We look forward to helping you drive more downloads for your software.
Sincerely,
CNET Downloads Customer Support
I personally had a good laugh at "We look forward to helping you."
Did you notice the "range of promotional placements in key areas"? What do you expect to find in those "key areas": the best software or the products of companies that pay the most? Did you also notice that suddenly "MSN Downloads" has something to do with this? Whenever I encounter a situation where money gets the upper hand over quality, I am not surprised to see the name of Microsoft there.
Anyway, I decided to respond to this message. Not that I expect them to take it seriously, but it's the only thing I can do directly to let my voice be heard. I told them the following.
When I first submitted my "product" to ZDNet and CNet, this was a free service.
The (quite popular) Palm game "Space Trader" I uploaded was and is freeware. I am NOT going to pay for the privilige of providing YOU with the latest version of my software. So you can choose between three alternatives:
- You stick with the old version of my software for your download service, which means you provide a disservice for your users. Frankly, I think a site that provides software that is out-of-date can not be taken seriously, so I recommend you do NOT go with this option. Palm OS 5.0 users will be very disappointed if they download the version you now supply.
- You remove my software entirely from your download service, which ALSO means you provide a disservice for your users. I won't be the only one taking this stand, and so your site will quickly lose its attractiveness as a download centre, because it will be very incomplete. People who are looking for freeware will go somewhere else (PalmGear, for instance). Obviously, this will have an impact on the number of sales commercial developers have through your site.
- You put the latest version of my software on your download service for free. I am not making any money from it (in fact, it costs me a lot of time and money to keep it updated), and I do not intend to shell out a sizeable sum for distribution. Asking commercial software developers for a contribution to use your service is acceptable, but to ask money from someone who provides a free service is ludicrous.
I hope you decide wisely.
Regards,
Pieter Spronck.
Author of "Space Trader".
I will continue this story if I get a reaction.
Now, if you wonder what you can do: I'd say that first and foremost you should realize what faulty service some distribution sites provide. Seek out the ones you know are OK. Now and again you can write them a message saying something like "I saw you had release x.x of software package y on your site. Don't you know release z.z is available nowadays? Please distribute the latest version from your otherwise excellent site!"
Maybe, in time, someone will listen.
December 12, 2002.
An alert player just informed me that CNet and ZDNet are now distributing version 1.2.0 of Space Trader (three months after its release and after I uploaded it). They didn't inform me about this, but I assume they have seen the error of their ways and I will try to upload the next version to them also. I am guessing I will encounter the "incentive" to pay them again, but I will, of course, ignore it once more.