Author Topic: Why isn't Universe Sandbox free? (Read 158670 times)

Dan Dixon · « **on:** August 10, 2009, 08:02:31 PM »

Our Universe is amazing and it feels wonderful to help share that reality with you. I want to make this my life's work.

If I had $100 million dollars I'd hire top programmers and artists to help me take Universe Sandbox to the next level, and then I'd just give it way.

Unfortunately I'm not wealthy and the most straightforward way to eventually be able to work on Universe Sandbox full time is to charge people money.

I'm really conflicted because I don't want money to get in the way to people (and kids) of using my software, but at the same time I need money to be able to take it to the next level. This is why my pricing model is "pay what you can". I feel this is a fair compromise between my need for monetization and my desire of generosity.

If someone 'steals' a copy of Universe Sandbox who doesn't have any money and they're learning about our amazing Universe then what's there for me to be upset about?

Likewise, if someone does have the means to pay for Universe Sandbox and they don't... I think that borders on the unethical. If this is you, please consider making a purchase at the price you can afford.

I don't know what each and every person's story is. I don't know if you have the means (or a parent or guardian that has the means). For some, $25 is a lot of money, while others might not give it a second thought.

I am so thankful to each and every person that has purchased a copy of Universe Sandbox. You have pushed me toward making the big leap toward the dream that has unfolded for me over the last year (making Universe Sandbox my full time job). There's still a long way to go, but I'm dedicated to making it happen.

atomic7732 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:13:44 PM »

I never put lowest price, I always put average (in this case $25).

Naru523 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:16:59 PM »

Thank you Dan.

Bla · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2009, 10:19:32 PM »

Yes, I felt bad about purchasing it for a low price, but I'm considering a donation or something soon, so I hope that'll make it good again.

hbmp88 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2009, 03:13:36 PM »

Unfortunately I had to get it for only $5 because i have no income. My parents don't give me money for doing chores, and I'm underagged. I feel really bad now...

hopefully my ideas will make up for it...

Dan Dixon · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2009, 04:30:53 PM »

Quote from: hbmp88 on August 11, 2009, 03:13:36 PM

Unfortunately I had to get it for only $5 because i have no income.... I feel really bad now.

Don't feel bad. That's not the point.

Quote from: hbmp88 on August 11, 2009, 03:13:36 PM

hopefully my ideas will make up for it...

There's no need to make up for anything.

At the same time... This forum exists, in part, to allow for the sharing of ideas with the Universe Sandbox community. The value of sharing is invaluable.

Quote from: Bla on August 10, 2009, 10:19:32 PM

Yes, I felt bad about purchasing it for a low price, but I'm considering a donation or something soon, so I hope that'll make it good again.

When the new version of Universe Sandbox is released, a second purchase would be a great way of showing your support.

Either way... we're already good. No worries.

~~And to be clear: The new version will be fully unlocked to everyone who has purchased in the past.~~
Edit: This is no longer true as of 2010.

Andreas · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2009, 02:38:17 AM »

i apology for my behavior in the last days.

Chaotic Cow · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2009, 08:05:26 AM »

Yeah. If I had a job I would definitely paid $25 for it.

Hey Dan, do you have an estimate of how many purchases of US theres been?

Bla · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2009, 09:43:10 AM »

Yes, and how many are buying it monthly?

Dan Dixon · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2009, 05:40:46 PM »

Quote from: Andreas on August 12, 2009, 02:38:17 AM

i apology for my behavior in the last days.

Andreas... Thank you.

pagalzone · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2009, 03:28:13 AM »

Dan, Greetings for this wonderful product and your feeling about keeping it "pay if you can". Thanks for your views about poor children who cannot pay but can learn a lot even if they have an illegal copy. What i can say is "LISTEN TO YOUR HEART". I am also a programmer in State Government office in Madhya Pradesh and not a wealthy person. Long time back I have developed a charting product for ASP websites (ProFX ASP Chart Component) and made it free for all. Similar products cost around 100-300 dollers. Approx. 2500 installations are there worldwide including Lufthansa Airlines and EA sports Canada (the giant game maker). These companies can pay but still enjoying this product and still requesting for enhancements. The money comes from where you dont expect. Some users from USA sent me a few $s time to time by their own. May be they were "listening to their heart". So, again "LISTEN TO YOUR HEART".

Best wishes.
-mahesh joshi, Bhopal. INDIA

Dan Dixon · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:27:10 AM »

Quote from: pagalzone on August 13, 2009, 03:28:13 AM

Thanks for your views about poor children who cannot pay but can learn a lot even if they have an illegal copy.

Your welcome.

TheListo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2009, 11:25:31 AM »

That one made me laugh..

Interesting..

How does one donate to you Dan?

Bla · « **Reply #13 on:** August 24, 2009, 11:47:50 AM »

Quote from: TheListo on August 24, 2009, 11:25:31 AM

That one made me laugh..

Interesting..

How does one donate to you Dan?

I think you need to buy another licence.

Source:

Quote from: NeutronStar on August 21, 2009, 10:07:09 PM

How?

Quote from: Dan Dixon on August 21, 2009, 10:21:50 PM

Buy another license for the price you can pay.

Chaotic Cow · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2009, 02:10:54 PM »

Also if you buy another you can give it to a friend!

atomic7732 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2009, 02:17:18 PM »

None of my friends like space. Only one of them somewhat does. They are the new person "Ilikejuicygossip" or something.

Chaotic Cow · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2009, 02:20:16 PM »

Well theres family too.

Or Donate it to someone on a forum you go to!

atomic7732 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2009, 03:05:51 PM »

Probably friend. I'll ask when they come over or next time I call them.

Dan Dixon · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2009, 05:09:54 PM »

You guys are great. I really appreciate your support.

At the same time... Please don't feel any obligation to buy multiple copies or pressure friends into buying copies.

monmarfori · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2009, 05:11:25 PM »

Friend Too

looseskrewz · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2009, 05:47:08 AM »

I will continue to support your efforts Dan.
I think your software is absolutely wonderful.

Great teaching tool for kids too!

Airforce · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2009, 03:29:36 PM »

hey dan did you ever fix that bug i told you about

atommo999 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2009, 07:56:52 AM »

Quote from: looseskrewz on August 30, 2009, 05:47:08 AM

I will continue to support your efforts Dan.
I think your software is absolutely wonderful.

Great teaching tool for kids too!

same! i think schools should use it!

Magnetar · « **Reply #23 on:** September 16, 2009, 08:29:19 AM »

Quote from: atommo999 on September 09, 2009, 07:56:52 AM

Quote from: looseskrewz on August 30, 2009, 05:47:08 AM
I will continue to support your efforts Dan.
I think your software is absolutely wonderful.

Great teaching tool for kids too!
same! i think schools should use it!

To make it really tasteful for schools I think US would need a couple of additional tools,
capable of displaying the mathematical circumstances, different type of vectors, energies and a couple of diagram modes. Also a couple of gaugers helping to analyze the physical properties of the environment (field strength; force; distances) would probably be helpful. As I always say the potential of US is giant, since a lot of groups interested into different aspects of a gravity simulation could be pleased by it. Anyways, there we'll be lots improvements in the next version. So I'm looking forward to US 2.0.

Dan Dixon · « **Reply #24 on:** September 17, 2009, 07:14:28 PM »

Thanks for all the support everyone.

One of my goals for the next year is to get Universe Sandbox into some schools.

Quote from: Magnetar on September 16, 2009, 08:29:19 AM

To make it really tasteful for schools I think US would need....

What am I missing from this list?
- Show acceleration vectors of a body
- Show velocity vectors of a body
- Distance measurement between any two bodies
- Gravity field strength view - a fixed grid showing the force of gravity (like the diagram from your other post)
- Global system properties list: # of bodies, total mass, total energy

What do you mean by diagram modes?

Naru523 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 17, 2009, 08:06:01 PM »

Quote from: Dan Dixon on September 17, 2009, 07:14:28 PM

One of my goals for the next year is to get Universe Sandbox into some schools...

I might tell my science teacher about this when we get to the solar system chapter next year

But not a promise though.

Magnetar · « **Reply #26 on:** September 18, 2009, 02:17:33 PM »

Let's continue discussing this in my thread. I don't want to derail this one.

pascal.hueting · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2009, 05:31:14 AM »

I bought it for $3

, soz for that,
not that I'm poor but with those crisis stuff, and I had to buy it of my own pocket money

and I only had 2,80 euro left on my account,

program is amazing btw.

MassiveEffect · « **Reply #28 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:57:53 AM »

Awesome program. I only wish it could use my 4 cores and/or GPU for very detailed star systems and more numerous particles etc.

It's worth the money as it looks like quite a significant amount of time was put into this software.
Looking forward to 2.0 and definitely going to be picking that up.

Naru523 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 10, 2010, 03:44:42 PM »

When Im eighteen, I will donate because I'll get $20k