IRONMAN  My guess is that pseudo files can store more infos, like mac resources. More infos than other catalog programs.  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  The primary purpose would be to have a "copy" of a folder on another volume, which is either remote or removable. The idea is that this "copy" has virtually no memory footprint, yet retains much of the file information of the original, in particular its structure and Finder file information, including Spotlight comments, file types, names, modification dates, etc.

However, use it for whetever purpose you like :-)  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  Sorry for the confusion you have, but here's the situation:

A) I don't maintain Softpedia's database, they do (unlock MacUpdate or VersionTracker where I actively maintain my listings.) They reviewed the product a long time ago when it was free. So you should file your complaint with them about that matter.

B) My products consist of standalone applications, and others which are part of a Utilities bundle. The Utilities bundle is clearly defined here:

http://www.limit-point.com/Utilities.html

The utilities only include products on this page, and does not include Touvaly. All utilities are unlocked and registered via a single donation in the amount described above.

C) Since Touvaly is NOT a utility it has a separate price of its own, and is not registered via a donation.

D) ALL Limit Point Software products, whether standalone or utility come with a fully functional trial period that lasts at least 10 days.

I hope this clarifies the situation, and hopefully you see that I am clearly well defining how Touvaly is categorized.

Thanks.  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  One more thing, I'd like to clarify the term "donation" as I use it. When I began the utilities they were unlocked via a password I provided when a user made a "donation" in the usual sense of the word. However, I was obtaining donations in ridiculous amounts such as 1 cent, or even 1 dollar.

I can't affford to maintain all the utilities without receiving adequate compensation. Therefore what I decided was I would continue to offer the utilities as a bundle, but provide a key to unlock them as long as a payment was made in a choice in the following amounts (as of this date): $10, $15, $20 and $25.

Since the amount is variable I continued to call it a donation, despite it being enforced. I realize that the usage of the word is not conventional, but in my opinion that's a moot issue. If you like the software and find it useful I think it is only fair that you pay something. If you don't then don't :-)

And finally there are plenty of people who seem to agree with me bacause they ARE in fact making donations in the amounts available. And I am very grateful for that, and because of that the utilities bundle is growing in size, and constantly maintained with updates and new features.

Joe  
(Version 1.1.8)

ZANGIEF  I'm sure there are quite a few people (such as myself) that can't pay for anything online because they're not 17 years of age or older.

I don't want to engage in a flamewar, but consider: there are still more people in this world who are 17 years of age or older, but don't have $10 to spend on a piece of software. They barely have enough money for food, let alone something like this.

Don't spit the words "they wouldn't have a computer" at me because they could've gotten one for Christmas, or they might've been financially secure at one time, and had bought a computer.  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  Hello ZangieF,

You said: I'm sure there are quite a few people (such as myself) that can't pay for anything online because they're not 17 years of age or older.

My answer: Quite a few of my customers fall into this category. So upon request I accept payments by check or money order, or any other method they may offer. I try to be as flexible as possible.

You said: I don't want to engage in a flamewar, but consider: there are still more people in this world who are 17 years of age or older, but don't have $10 to spend on a piece of software. They barely have enough money for food, let alone something like this.

My answer: In the past I have made special arrangements to people who can provide a good reason I should consider a discount for them, or even donate a piece of software for free (such as to not for profit or teachers) due to financial hardship.

However, I ask you to consider this: I have a family and I have to support them as well as myself. This is my full time job. If I don't charge for the software I don't make money. Sorry, but I need money like everyone else.

Unfortunately we live in such a world where money is required to live and sustain a business. And that means to do so the products of that business must yield a net income. Most people are very pleased with my work, and in fact have told me that my porducts help them to be much more productive.

My utility suite of software has been designed to offer a collection of software with specific functionality and lacking "fearture bloat" at a very reasonable price. The remainder of my products are offered as part of numerous other types of bundles, usually bundling two items at a reduced cost. Overall I think my software is priced well, with a sufficient number of incentives ->

One major incentive: I don't charge for upgrades,ever. How many developers do that?

Another incentive: I am always very willing to provide implementations of feature requests, I do it all the time.

Final incentive: I provide technical support, within reasonable bounds, to anyone who has a problem with my software. My success rate of solving customer problems is almost 100% !

That's about all I have to say in this matter, and my policies are staying in place for the forseeable future.

Joe  
(Version 1.1.8)

ZANGIEF  Straight from the Oxford dictionary:

buy

obtain in exchange for payment

I don't want to continue this any further, here's my last comment (mouse over to view):

I certainly don't agree with your use of "donation", nor do I find business analysis any consolation. I'm sorry if we don't see eye-to-eye here; it's just the way I look at things.  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  Why are you giving me a definition of the word "buy" ? Because you want me to replace the word "donation" with it? I've covered this ground earlier on another response to you, i.e. my use of the term. It's fine that you don't agree with me on the usage. This world is full of people who don't agree with one another, right? However, I reiterate that I did actually agree with you on my usage of the term. Anyway, does it really matter? I think you are annoyed for some other reason. End of discussion.  
(Version 1.1.8)

JPPAGLIARO  Please consider that there are no upgrade fees for any of my products. Once you register all upgrades to the program are free. So, for example, users who have registered in the past now get a much speedier program for free with the current update.

Other things to note:

• Educational discounts are available

• Quantity discounts are available through Kagi

• Bundles are available

Finally, the program is regularly maintained and improved, a lot of time has been invested in it. Also, technical support is free too! All in all I think $25 is a pretty good deal :-)

Joe  
(Version 1.1.5)

JDUB800  I understand your point of view and it's appreciated, but when you consider that something like Path Finder can generate (basic admittedly, but more varied) similar reports among a huge feature set - all for $39 - It does makes your product seem expensive.

Using YummyFTP, I can do pretty much the same thing using filters - and that comes with an excellent full featured FTP client. The best on the Mac. That's $25.

$5 or $10 feels more like the price level for this app - Purely IMO of course! :)  
(Version 1.1.5)

JPPAGLIARO  It doesn't seem to me that either program you mention can perform the same operations as Touvaly, based on their descriptions on MacUpdate.

Are you saying that either of these program can re-create a file hierarchy as a collection of files with identical hierarchy but having no content?

The idea here is that the collection of files Touvaly creates is identical to the original collection except that each file has no data in the data fork, in order to reduce the memory footprint of the collection. (There is an option to preserve the resource fork, which may be desirable under various circumstances.) The result is a collection you can still search, say with Spotlight, and then find and open the original easily - which may reside elsewhere of course.

Sorry, but I am doubtful that you understand what Touvaly does, and that concerns me only because you are comparing it with other programs to judge the pricing.  
(Version 1.1.5)

JDUB800  Fair comment - I was forgetting that you do reproduce the file placeholders without content - I was originally only talking about folder structure. That is a cool feature, no doubt.

Going back to my original comment however, I did say it looked interesting, etc. I still stand by that - I still also think it's too expensive - YMMV. Cheers.  
(Version 1.1.5)

JPPAGLIARO  Thanks for clarifying.

But of course I, as the sole author of the program, the one who knows the work involved in the creation of it, and the one who supports it, still stand by my opinion that the price is right for most.

Some, like yourself, want to pay less, yet there are others who would even pay more.

Anyway, I have a lot of work to do so I can't keep debating this. Have a good holiday!

Joe  
(Version 1.1.5)

JPPAGLIARO  The popularity of the program demands that I spend more time on maintaining and improving it - that costs money.

By the way, do you work for free?

Joe  
(Version 1.1.1)

EMB  Don't be so testy. You won't make many friends or customers that way. A jump in price from $0 to $25 is a little surprising that's all.   
(Version 1.1.2)

JPPAGLIARO  I wasn't being testy, I was joking with you.

It seemed funny to me that someone would suggest that my adding a price tag to something I've worked hard on is uncalled for.

I don't charge upgrade fees on any of my products, so it's a one time fee only.

Finally, Touvaly is in active development, and I have several great things planned for it!  
(Version 1.1.2)

HOLYPOLY  There's nothing wrong with that. It's just a different story.  
(Version 1.0.6)

JOE PAGLIARO  No, adding comments can certainly be done, but with the expense of more time to process. I'll try to get it in as an option in the next update. It's a good idea, and thanks for posting the feedback.  
(Version 1.0.2)

JOE PAGLIARO  Touvaly 1.0.3 introduces the ability to copy Finder comments on files (a future version will address directories, which for certain reasons was not as easy to come by.)  
(Version 1.0.3)

JOE PAGLIARO  1. Does this also copy meta data used by Spotlight?

Meta data is stored inside a file, and a pseudo copy has no contents at all, so the meta data is lost.

2. WHat happens if you burn these psudo files to a CD & then copy them back to another computer or store them on a network? Is all info retained? I would guess most of it would be but I'm not an expert on meta data.

All the file attributes (such as type, creator, dates) should be retained. Pseudo files are real files - they just don't have any data in them.  
(Version 1.0.2)

JOE PAGLIARO  Nice idea! I'll get it in a future release. 1.0.2 is almost ready. If it's not in 1.0.2, then probably 1.0.3.  
(Version 1.0.1)

JERRY  Holy cats, Joe! That was quick!

Bravo and many thanks!  
(Version 1.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  To copy a directory structure without copying it's files, from the terminal:

cd /old/dir

find * -type d -exec mkdir /new/dir/{} \;  
(Version 1.0.2)

SJK  That won't work for space-containing directory names.  
(Version 1.0.3)