TESLANAUT  Ouch, too bad. Guess you should stop using those other ad supported apps/services too then huh?  
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DARYLF2  I agree. I've used NetNewsWire for years, having purchased a license back in 2005 when it was still shareware.

What alternatived are there? I've tried Fire and Times, but neither seem very good if you have a lot of feeds (I have 50-60 feeds, spread across about a dozen folders).  
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TESLANAUT  @DARYLF2

What version was it back then?  
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SJK  DARYLF2, have you tried Vienna? It clearly wasn't a NNW replacement for me when I did, though that was a few years ago so I might feel differently now and what criteria will satisfy someone else often differs from mine.  
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ODYSSEUS  Couldn't agree more. The ads stink.   
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HERBERTKORNFELD  I understand that the application is free now and that it’s ad supported. But I also purchased a license a few years ago. And I can’t say that I'm very fond of seeing the ads.

Between the desktop client and the iPhone version, I know that a lot has gone into development over the last couple of years. And I haven’t paid a penny for any of it since I bought my initial license. But I wish that the developer would let me.

Surely they must still have a record of their paying customers. I’d gladly pay an upgrade fee if it meant I could remove the ads.   
(Version 3.2b6)

TESLANAUT  You paying customers, you paid for a PREVIOUS VERSION of NetNewsWire. That was then. The new version(s) is Now. Paying for it 3 or whatever years ago does NOT entitle you to an Ad free version or whatever they put in it. If they make it shareware again, prepare to fork over the money for it. No special discount for you PREVIOUS version owners.

Does Microsoft give you a discount if you bought Windows X+ years ago? No.

Does Apple give you a discount if you buy Microsoft X+ years ago? No.  
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DARYLF2  TESLANAUT, it was version 2.0.1.

SJK, yes I tried Vienna. While it is very promising, it is also not very stable and lacking many of the navigation features I've come to rely on.

TESLANAUT, I'm perfectly happy to pay a reasonable shareware fee for the new version of NetNewsWire if it gets rid of the ads. But will they even be offering a paid, ad-free version? I haven't seen that they will, but I'm hoping for it. I like NetNewsWire a lot, but I don't like the suddenness of this change and the inconvenience it is imposing on many NetNewsWire users.  
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HERBERTKORNFELD  TESLANAUT. I understand that you’re trying to stand up for the developer, and that’s commendable. But you’re completely off base in your criticism.

Yes, I understand that I paid for it awhile ago. And if they’d let me, I'd still be paying. I don’t feel entitled to anything, I’m simply requesting more options. There used to be a NetNewsWire lite. You could use that for free, or you could pay a couple of bucks and get the full premium version. I’m just requesting that they go back to a two-tiered model.

And as for your other question, about whether Microsoft or Apple give discounts, you’re completely wrong. Both of these companies, like almost all other software vendors, allow for upgrades. Each time you buy the latest version of some software, you’re almost never expected to pay full price. Here’s some numbers for you.

If you want Snow Leopard next month, you’ve got some options. You can buy a new Mac, you can get the $29 upgrade if you currently have Leopard, or if you’re still on Tiger, you can buy a bundle that has Snow Leopard, iLife, and iWork for $169. (via http://bit.ly/4we3E)

With Microsoft, they’ve also got discounted rates for Windows 7 if you’re upgrading rather than just buying it from scratch. (via http://bit.ly/VuRFK)

Windows 7 Home Premium - (Upgrade): $119.99 / (Full): $199.99

Windows 7 Professional - (Upgrade): $199.99 / (Full): $299.99

Windows 7 Ultimate - (Upgrade): $219.99 / (Full): $319.99  
(Version 3.2b6)

TESLANAUT  @HERBERTKORNFELD

This is Beta software right now. They're testing stuff that might not even go into the Final release. You see all the comments that are going "Eww Ads". Its quite ridiculous that they're all angry at something that might not even go into the final product or they might even make shareware. I just found it disgusting that they'd turn their back on something just because of a tiny change.

hat about going from Panther to Snow Leopard? No help there? What about XP to Windows 7? Upgrading for them means either buy a whole new computer that comes with it or buying a copy of Windows 7. Also, Snow Leopard isn't really a new Operating System now is it? Like what that French guy said in the Keynote. They are taking what Leopard already is/has and making it better. Also, to be able to participate in the "Upgrade from Vista to 7" you have to have, quote:

Purchase a qualifying version* of a Windows Vista retail packaged product from your favorite retailer between June 26, 2009 and January 31, 2010. (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/offers/upgrade.aspx)

So right. If you bought it before that, you are SOL. Which applies here, you bought an older version longer ago, you're not getting a discount now.  
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SJK  Re: SJK, yes I tried Vienna. While it is very promising, it is also not very stable and lacking many of the navigation features I've come to rely on.

That's basically my impression when I tried it, too.

Even after Aug. 31st I'd be satisfied to keep using NNW 3.1.7 on my Mac since I've only been relying on NewsGator Online to sync with the iPhone app and for Clippings access. So, in the short term I'm more interested in what's coming next for the iPhone app.  
(Version 3.2b6)

ROBOTANK  @Teslanaut

Actually, I refuse to use a web browser without some sort of ad-blocking add-on, so I can use ad-supported services without having to see the ads. I don't think that such a thing would work with NNW, unless GlimmerBlocker could be set up to filter out data from that ad server before it even reached NNW. I realize that much of the Internet relies on ad revenue, but the fact is that we live in a culture saturated by advertising cramming useless consumer crap down our throats. In almost all public spaces we are force-fed corporate advertising, so I won't pass up the opportunity to have my computer and Internet as ad-free spaces. On the other hand, I have absolutely no issue with paying for quality low-cost software, especially when it's written by independent developers. I'm hoping it doesn't take too long for the paid option on NNW to come along.  
(Version 3.2b6)

DARYLF2  I tried Vienna some more and its growing on me. Its pretty customizable, with css-based themes much like NetNewsWire. Once I customized a theme to use my beloved Myriad Pro and Minion Pro typefaces in larger sizes then the "Apple Mail" them I am using, I was VERY happy with Vienna's visual presentation of the RSS articles. I'm still getting used to the slightly different keyboard shortcuts, but its working well so far. And the latest versions of Vienna seem more stable as well.  
(Version 3.2b13)

SJK  Can Vienna handle +500 feeds now without choking?  
(Version 3.2b13)

SEBEHK  Yeah, what's with the stupid small ad window on the bottom left? I couldn't find a setting to get rid of it. I may have to go back to NewsFire if NNW does not get rid of that ad.  
(Version 3.2b6)

HMURCHISON  Didn't you comment a month ago about no updates yet lo and behold we have an update here?

I don't like advertising either but how many times are you going to move the goalposts here to justify doling out another one star review?   
(Version 3.2b6)

MISHA  I'm not really sure about this beta... you lose features, gain ads, and a better icon? I might just copy/paste the icon on b5 and be done with it :)  
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ZX  Update...do you see any fundemantal changes??? he took down 3 syncing services and replace them with one + adds. Also, i actually paid for NNW.  
(Version 3.2b6)

BLLOYD  Sure, you paid for NNW 4 or 5 years ago. Prior to the acquisition by NewsGator. Whether that should make the upgrade to the "no ads" version cheaper than those that have never paid, I can't say. I'm sure it was long ago.

The fact that the former version (3.1.7) was totally free, and synched with NewsGator, for free, with no ads, seemed odd to me. I mean, what was the business strategy? I think the ads are an acceptable evil for now, and I'll see what the upgrade options are to paid once it's available (4.0?).

Given the NewsGator and MobileMe synching is going away as of the end of August, staying with the older version is an option... if you don't want to sync.  
(Version 3.2b6)

SJK  To whatever degree, the demise of NewsGator synching will matter to every NNW iPhone app user even without synching with NNW Desktop. Before Aug. 31st I'll make sure to have a local copy of all clippings saved from my iPod touch.

Good luck to NewsGator, thinking they can pull off this major transition of apps *and* services in a month.  
(Version 3.2b6)

TIAGO  What's with all these "4-5 years ago" comments?

NNW has been free for less than a year.  
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