Yes, of course it is worth it. Think about it. What is $25? Eight gallons of gas?! Main differences is the paid version is the latest version and includes many new features (domain/ip banning, backup database from admin, Google sitemaps, etc...) and some fixes (better image validation for one).
Yes, there have been 7 upgrades to phpLD since v2, and there are a lot of new features, as well as greater compatability with different platforms, and fewer bugs.
In my opinion, It's very worth for $25 for a great directory script. It newest version 3.0.6 beta3 is very good one. If you want special support forums for v3 user you have to pay more $10 but it still worth. However, their support may lack of some because of many users use them and a few support team cannot capable all of them in time.
I help support phpLD for FREE, but remember, I am not a Dev, and I do have lots of clientel to deal with. I still try and manage to stop in half dozen times a day to answer anything that the search(god forbid people use it) may not provide.
Anytime you can support a developer its a good thing. $25 bucks isnt alot. I am using PHPLD2 to see if I like it. I will prob upgrade after getting to know the software. So if you have experience with the software go paid. Then you have a better idea of what your getting for the money.
I gotta say I find the $10 extra for the support service kinda strange. Better to charge $35 and be done wid it. Mind you I can kind of see the sense, in that if you dont think you need support, you dont have to pay for it... Its seems a slightly unusual model to go with at first.
Ok anon, I know you a lot from phpld forum and I know you do a hard work. and Thanks for your devote yourself in support for free. But special support forum for V.3 user is not free, right? I paid $10 for a better service and If I couldn't get what I expected then I just complain about something I feel that shouldn't be my fault, right? and I don't blame you directly. Phpld support overall are ok but not good as it should. If my complain got you to be a better in services then it's good. don't you think so?
If there is something specific you need done right now, feel free to PM me. Sometimes we do get a lot of requests for help at the same time, and that can slow things down, but overall I think we are staying pretty caught up with support requests. Often we lose money on customers just insure they are happy with the script. If you are ever having a big problem where something is broken, just let us know. We will help. I would estimate that on average, people who join the supporters forum get well over an hour of support. Some have received way more than this. This is not a bad deal for $10. Starting 1 year after the release of v3 (around Feb 2007), we will likely change the plan so that the first copy of phpLD is more expensive, and simply build the Supporters Forum into the cost. But I have an obligation to be consistent with buyers of the script. Until then, the pricing and structure will be the same as now.
Thank you very much for your replied, David. Did you remember PM that I sent you 4 months ago about payment problem with my site? (Old V.2) I gave you all you needed information as you told me. My ftp, phpmyadmin, anything. But I did not receive any reply and my thread gone up like the wind. Ok, I understand you have to handle many many requests from many users per day. Good news!! your script is very popular and that's why I came to phpld and paid for V3 and support forum. I don't mind about $10 for support, it's worth itself. I don't mind if you ask for $20 for support forum in the future if it's worth then I'll pay. For now, I try to help myself by mod V3.0.6 with many mods (and yes, paid $10 for VSdan great V3.0 mods too ) but I didn't finished it yet. My phpld script I bought for $25 never been on a live site. D may be my fault that I mods too many of old V2 and hard to adapt to V3) David, If you don't mind, May I ask you again via phpld forums? I hope my thread won't be threat like "gone in the wind" again. Regards, Sxperm
I think phpld is worth the price itself. I paid for this script and never been on lives site because of upgrade problem. So I want to make lives site by this script before switch to another one because of their services. When I did reply to anon in this thread, David come back after 10 minutes and get the reply. When I did reply to him, for 2 days till now I didn't see him in this thread. He should come back to this thread and listen and answer what I asked and complained. See how my thread in phpld forum gone up like the wind, like this? The only person in phpld forum that I think he's great is Boby. Anon, as I said, I thank for your devote but I don't care if you're working for phpld free or not because special support forum "is not FREE" !! I did not complain you directly but I don't like your act like you're a devotion guy and I must shut up my mouth and cannot complain anything because you're "GOD". and as I told, I don't care if support forum fee will be increased to $20 or more if it's worth itself I will pay. NOT LIKE THIS!! I'm your customer so why I cannot complain anything, huh?? David, I've respected you for a long time. You're honest but since I've been threat like a rubbish so I think I should do something. I tried to not post things like this in this big forums. But when I tried to ask help in phpld forum itself, nothing happen. What should I do? Regards, Sxperm
I have been a java developer almost six years. I have many java products but can't make much money from them.You know there have so many free and open source products. Frankly say, the price of phpld is very cheap,but many people like free. But I will buy a copy of PHPLD 3.0
I agree. phpld script is worth itself. Many functions, good development. I just disappointed with some of their services but overall are ok. If you've PHP skills so pretty good to mods/fix anything. If you've any question. Boby in phpld is the recommend one to ask.