Existing users, 
Having read about the product, seen the screen shot provided, and read some of the comments I thought it might be good to write.
A visit to my own web site (http://billsey-christian.net ) should reveal that I am no stranger to writing, saying, or holding to the unpopular. In the past, reaction to my own efforts has even ranged to death threat. So, I am no stranger to what the developer seems to be experiencing. That said, I have not seen comments claiming that the developer is evil, but possibly unwise, or complaining about what the review writer has experienced. They would do well to read the developer's own comments regarding the pricing strategy before they write.
Not having used the product in any version, I would simply wonder about the need for the product. That there is a perceived need for the product is testified to by the buyer response. However, In a market place that includes scribus free of charge, OpenOffice.org free of charge, and TextWrangler free of charge, how is it that anyone sees a need for this particular approach? The retro approach of a green screen text editor does not appeal to me, as I much prefer a "text-on-paper" sort of approach, i. e. black on white. Be that as it may, there are obviously those who prefer to pay for the priviledge of using WriteRoom, and the developer should remain confident to supply that need.
Not knowing the chosen philosophy of the developer or those writing reviews, this might fall upon unwilling ears, so to speak, but it might help. I have had a good reaction to the March issue of my newsletter, the St. Louis Amigan (http://billsey-christian.net/St-LouisAmigan070315.pdf ). I hope that it will be taken as encouragement, and that those writing reviews based solely on their own perceptions might restrict themselves to writing about their own perceptions instead of assuming motives that they do not truly know.
Thank you for your time, and keep writing, sir.
WriteRoom
full screen, distraction-free writing
Version: 2.3.7
Doing the Unpopular
Feedback Type: Commentary
Contributed by: Billsey Wednesday, February 21 2007 @ 04:54 AM PST
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Have Not Tried
Comments
Doing the Unpopular - md
Do you have any particular qualms with the reviews so far? It seems as though you're questioning the legitimacy of the very act of reviewing something.Maybe the author is doing fine as he is, but there's the possibility of raising profits by selling more licenses for less money each (this assumes there are potential buyers interested but put off by the current price-to-features ratio).
Wednesday, February 21 2007 @ 10:47 AM PST
Doing the Unpopular - Billsey
That would go against the author's own experience, which has been that the income has more than significantly increased as the price of their software has been raised. There certainly is the view (a legitimate one) that there SHOULD be more SALES with lower unit price, but that does not necessarily translate to higher overall profits. In addition, there is the perception of value that a given asking price can grant. Some people will not buy a product for a lower price if they get a lower idea of value from that lower price. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but it does hold true nonetheless.As to other reviews, what I wrote was that those writing on the basis of their own experience should restrict themselves to writing about their own experience and refrain from making public assumptions and assertions regarding things of which they have no knowledge, such as what it is that makes the developer tick. Unless you are inside their heads reading their minds you do not know their motives and you should not write as though you do. To do so is not only unfair to the developers, but is also damaging to your own credibility.
Wednesday, February 21 2007 @ 08:04 PM PST
Doing the Unpopular - Billsey
That would go against the author's own experience, which has been that the income has more than significantly increased as the price of their software has been raised. There certainly is the view (a legitimate one) that there SHOULD be more SALES with lower unit price, but that does not necessarily translate to higher overall profits. In addition, there is the perception of value that a given asking price can grant. Some people will not buy a product for a lower price if they get a lower idea of value from that lower price. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but it does hold true nonetheless.As to other reviews, what I wrote was that those writing on the basis of their own experience should restrict themselves to writing about their own experience and refrain from making public assumptions and assertions regarding things of which they have no knowledge, such as what it is that makes the developer tick. Unless you are inside their heads reading their minds you do not know their motives and you should not write as though you do. To do so is not only unfair to the developers, but is also damaging to your own credibility.
Wednesday, February 21 2007 @ 08:09 PM PST
Doing the Unpopular - Strider72
Just FYI, the colors are fully customizable. I use black on almost-white myself. So you don't have to do the green-on-black "retro" thing at all.The main point of this, which OpenOffice and such don't provide, is a distraction-free environment in which to write. No icons, no blinking clocks, just you and your words.
Reply to This
Wednesday, February 21 2007 @ 06:32 AM PST