Paprika, an app I’ve used for (I think) over 20 years has gone freemium nagwear. There is no way to get older versions (because he only distributes via the Apple app store now).

The only export options are HTML. The developer is a coward.

Anyway, I’m looking for a replacement. Something with a web interface so I can see it on an iPad would be helpful.

  • mcgarcEnglish
    54·
    2 days ago

    I understand the sentiment, but maintaining an app is an ongoing process that takes up the developer’s time. It makes sense to me that they should continue to be renumirated for keeping the app functioning. Subscriptions also insentivise development of mature software and can cover ongoing costs such as servers. When I like an app, I am happy to pay to support the developer. I would also comment that in this case, existing customers do not have to pay the subscription except to gain access to a small number of features. It seems like a fairly reasonable move to me.

    • nogooduserEnglish
      3·
      1 day ago

      I agree, subscriptions are becoming necessary to maintain an income to allow you to keep development going.

      In days past, you used to buy an application that would be yours to use forever and sometimes with a year’s worth of updates included. Then the app developer would bring out a new version for you to buy if you liked the new features. This gave the developer an income as long as they were improving the product.

      This model simply doesn’t work for mobile applications because apps get updated automatically when you release a new version.

      The only way to prevent people from getting updates to your app is to release a new app but there are problems with that:

      • you lose all of the user scores and reputation that you built up with the previous version. This makes it much harder to get new users.
      • some people would be really unlucky and buy the app just before a new version is released and not get any further updates where others would get a full year.
      • old unsupported apps get hidden and then removed from the app stores so people who bought it would lose access when they get a new phone.

      It’s annoying and I’m also very reluctant to sign up for a subscription to an app that doesn’t have a cloud service element but it’s just replacing an income stream that they lost with the mobile device application model.