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Best Finder alternative

svenmany said:
I've struggled a bit to understand the current Path Finder model. Certainly their previous one, which took a lot of heat, disabled the software when the subscription ended. I think they don't do that any longer. ForkLift won't be doing that.

But yeah, the new approach, which most people call subscription, does have more frequent payments for upgrades (usually annually) than the old days where we use to pay for upgrades when there was a new major version.
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You pay for a version and can use it as long as you want (assuming backward compatibility with macOS version) ... if there are sufficient features and development in a subsequent release, pay the "upgrade" ("subscription") fee to get the new version... cancel subscription and repeat... not difficult to comprehend IMO ... very much like how software licensing used to work... I guess if they can keep you on the annual upgrade train, it amounts to an annual subscription ... but we do that with iPhone all the time ... pay until you don't want to, then jump off the PathFinder (or ForkLift) gravy train ...
 
dwfaust said:
You pay for a version and can use it as long as you want (assuming backward compatibility with macOS version) ... if there are sufficient features and development in a subsequent release, pay the "upgrade" ("subscription") fee to get the new version... cancel subscription and repeat... not difficult to comprehend IMO ... very much like how software licensing used to work... I guess if they can keep you on the annual upgrade train, it amounts to an annual subscription ... but we do that with iPhone all the time ... pay until you don't want to, then jump off the PathFinder (or ForkLift) gravy train ...
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My confusion Path Finder is that they still differentiate between "license" and "subscription" in the different purchase options they offer. But all the options read "Allows you to run older builds after expiration". So, none of their options seem to be the same as their old subscription model where you couldn't even use the software after your subscription expired. Yet, a blog post I read of theirs said that the "license" option was introduced to satisfy people who didn't like their subscription model; they didn't mention that their subscription model also changed.

In the end I just concluded (guessed) that all the options are the same except for the default behavior. For their subscriptions, you are granting them permission to automatically renew if you if you don't cancel. For their licenses, you are asking them to automatically cancel unless you ask them to renew.

None of this is like how software licensing used to be in the time frames I'm considering. It used to be that money was requested when enough new features were added to justify a new major release. Now, money is requested at particular time intervals, even if no major features have been added. Another big difference is that, in the old model, you could sometimes get bug fixes to an older version even if a there was a new major release. The new model never allows that. If you need a simple bug fix the version you're running, but there's nothing else compelling about the current version being offered, you do have to upgrade to get the bug fix. That might also mean that you are going to get exposed to newly introduced bugs.
 
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dwfaust said:
You pay for a version and can use it as long as you want (assuming backward compatibility with macOS version) ... if there are sufficient features and development in a subsequent release, pay the "upgrade" ("subscription") fee to get the new version... cancel subscription and repeat... not difficult to comprehend IMO ... very much like how software licensing used to work... I guess if they can keep you on the annual upgrade train, it amounts to an annual subscription ... but we do that with iPhone all the time ... pay until you don't want to, then jump off the PathFinder (or ForkLift) gravy train ...
Click to expand...

so you are on subscription to buy the new version
 
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MacBH928 said:
so you are on subscription to buy the new version
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No. You buy version X and you can use it as long as you want to. You don't have to upgrade to new features unless you want to. It is called the Swiss model. The Agenda app offers the same Swiss model.

"We have lowered the price of ForkLift and have moved to a new pricing model.

Buying a license to ForkLift allows you to use ForkLift for as long as you want and to install all minor and major updates for one year. If you wish to install a new version of ForkLift after that, you will need to renew your license. After the renewal, you will have access to free updates for one more year again.

If you buy ForkLift 3 now, you will be able to install all the updates to ForkLift 3 for one year and even to ForkLift 4, should ForkLift 4 come out within 12 months after the purchase. And even if you don’t want to renew your license, you will be able to keep using ForkLift for an unlimited time.

This change in the business model doesn’t affect license owners who have bought ForkLift 3 before the change, they can continue using ForkLift 3 and install all future updates to ForkLift 3 for an unlimited time. However, for these existing users, ForkLift 4 will be a paid upgrade.

From now on, our prices are the following:

Single-user license $19.95
Family license $29.95"

blog.binarynights.com

(no title)

ForkLift 4.2.1 introduces new features like hiding files easily, displaying up to three color tags in Icon and Column Views, and improved support for alias and symlink files. The update also includes multiple fixes for color tag display, Amazon S3 transfers, and batch renaming.
blog.binarynights.com blog.binarynights.com
 
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Apple_Robert said:
No. You buy version X and you can use it as long as you want to. You don't have to upgrade to new features unless you want to. It is called the Swiss model. The Agenda app offers the same Swiss model.
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In my mind "yes". Seems just the same as a subscription if you want to have even minor updates beyond 12 months.
 
gilby101 said:
In my mind "yes". Seems just the same as a subscription if you want to have even minor updates beyond 12 months.
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It does not tie you to a subscription, you choose whether your usage or new features justify paying for an upgrade. If you don't want to pay you can still continue to use current version. And at any later time you can choose a new 1 year upgrade when and if you want it.
 
Big Bad D said:
It does not tie you to a subscription, you choose whether your usage or new features justify paying for an upgrade. If you don't want to pay you can still continue to use current version. And at any later time you can choose a new 1 year upgrade when and if you want it.
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I know how it works. Just wish they would be upfront and admit that it is little different from a subscription - they want an annual dollop of money from you.

Magazines I have bought on a subscription, don't disintegrate when I cancel. I can continue to read them. But still called a subscription.

Path Finder started this in the "Finder alternative" space. Just sad to see others following and using weasel words to avoid calling it a subscription.
 
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gilby101 said:
I know how it works. Just wish they would be upfront and admit that it is little different from a subscription - they want an annual dollop of money from you.

Magazines I have bought on a subscription, don't disintegrate when I cancel. I can continue to read them. But still called a subscription.

Path Finder started this in the "Finder alternative" space. Just sad to see others following and using weasel words to avoid calling it a subscription.
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That’s not what I said. There’s no obligation to pay “an annual dollop of money”, and the app remains fully useable at current version and does not “disintegrate”.
 
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This new licensing model, to paraphrase:

- You don't need a subscription to use the product as it exists at a particular instant in time.

- You need a subscription to use the complete "major version" of the product. I define the "major version" as how it used to be defined - it includes minor improvements and bug fixes.

So weather it's a subscription or not a subscription is subjective; it's based on what you think you are buying.
 
Apple_Robert said:
No. You buy version X and you can use it as long as you want to. You don't have to upgrade to new features unless you want to. It is called the Swiss model. The Agenda app offers the same Swiss model.
Click to expand...

Big Bad D said:
It does not tie you to a subscription, you choose whether your usage or new features justify paying for an upgrade. If you don't want to pay you can still continue to use current version. And at any later time you can choose a new 1 year upgrade when and if you want it.
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What I do not understand is what is the benefit of their "subscription" ? I can do it manually by buying the app today , then upgrade whenever I like. So how does the "subscription" benefit me? sounds like an auto-buy option. Not that I am against it.

is it because its tied to a 12 month period? so you never know when the new upgrade comes out?


gilby101 said:
I know how it works. Just wish they would be upfront and admit that it is little different from a subscription - they want an annual dollop of money from you.
Click to expand...

actually I do not mind the annual dollop, better than a monthly dollop. At least annually you can be sure you can have this app for a full year and have lots of time to cancel whenever you do not want it any more. Especially if that dollop is say $90 for original purchase then just $10-20 yearly for all the new stuff!

In addition the app will continue to operate as is, unlike subscription where its "pay or else..." business model.
 
MacBH928 said:
What I do not understand is what is the benefit of their "subscription" ? I can do it manually by buying the app today , then upgrade whenever I like. So how does the "subscription" benefit me? sounds like an auto-buy option. Not that I am against it.

is it because its tied to a 12 month period? so you never know when the new upgrade comes out?
Click to expand...
It's not a subscription. They don't call it a subscription. They refer to it as a "hybrid" license.

You are not signing up for an annual subscription. There's nothing to renew or cancel. You will not be automatically charged at the end of 12 months, since there is no subscription.

You are buying a perpetual license to their product. Just like the old days. However, unlike the old days, they throw in 12 months of free upgrades. That's why they consider it a "hybrid" model.

So, if you purchase the v3, and then v4 comes out 3 months later, you get v4 in perpetuity. If v5 comes out 13 months after you purchased v3, then you are "stuck" at version 4 until you purchase a license for v5.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but... I really don't think there's anything left to say about this. If you still have questions, you might try contacting them directly. I had some questions and they were very helpful. I believe someone else already posted this and I'll post it again...
blog.binarynights.com

Lower prices and a new business model

ForkLift price drop, new business modell
blog.binarynights.com blog.binarynights.com
 
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ixxx69 said:
It's not a subscription. They don't call it a subscription. They refer to it as a "hybrid" license.

You are not signing up for an annual subscription. There's nothing to renew or cancel. You will not be automatically charged at the end of 12 months, since there is no subscription.

You are buying a perpetual license to their product. Just like the old days. However, unlike the old days, they throw in 12 months of free upgrades. That's why they consider it a "hybrid" model.

So, if you purchase the v3, and then v4 comes out 3 months later, you get v4 in perpetuity. If v5 comes out 13 months after you purchased v3, then you are "stuck" at version 4 until you purchase a license for v5.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but... I really don't think there's anything left to say about this. If you still have questions, you might try contacting them directly. I had some questions and they were very helpful. I believe someone else already posted this and I'll post it again...
blog.binarynights.com

Lower prices and a new business model

ForkLift price drop, new business modell
blog.binarynights.com blog.binarynights.com
Click to expand...
The perfect price model for me!
 
dbrewood said:
Can we please get back on topic guys :)
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topic is pretty much summed by this guy's post below (unless someone made a new discovery)

MacGizmo said:
All these links are little more than paid reviews/links. I know, because I ran a site and received the same offers from developers to publish lists and reviews.

There are only three "Finder Alternatives" (Pathfinder, Forklift, and Commander One), the rest are simply add-ons that bring a few features to the existing Finder. To me, those are not Finder alternatives because you're just enhancing the existing Finder.

Of the three that actually REPLACE the Apple Finder, Commander One is ok, but very "Windows port" in look and feel. Forklift is probably the most Apple-like of the three, but the support of the app has come under questions as of late. Pathfinder is the most "mature" of the three, but it's almost overkill and tries to do way too much, and doesn't do anything really well.

In my opinion, you're almost better off adding the utilities for the features you want, rather than trying to replace the Finder completely.
Click to expand...
 
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I've been scrolling in this forum in awe... you guys pay money for this stuff? Like, subscriptions? For a simple file manager? I'm used to just fetching that kind of stuff from the internet for free on my windows PC, but like... huh?
 
floral said:
I've been scrolling in this forum in awe... you guys pay money for this stuff? Like, subscriptions? For a simple file manager? I'm used to just fetching that kind of stuff from the internet for free on my windows PC, but like... huh?
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Decent PC file managers like Directory Opus are not free:)

dwfaust said:
I disagree to a point... and while we may have crossed some arbitrary line with how far that conversation went, cost, pricing structure and licensing are part of the equation...
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Oh I agree they are part of the equation but IMHO that is for another topic really. This thread is about various file managers. I get excited when a new post is made and then disappointed when I see it's about licensing.... again :)

All IMHO of course :)
 
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it wasnt me said:
But it is false to assume that most file managers are “Finder add-ons”.
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he split his answer in two. There are file managers and there are add-ons

floral said:
I've been scrolling in this forum in awe... you guys pay money for this stuff? Like, subscriptions? For a simple file manager? I'm used to just fetching that kind of stuff from the internet for free on my windows PC, but like... huh?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you are talking about. Free and paid apps exist for nearly all platforms.

dbrewood said:
Decent PC file managers like Directory Opus are not free:)


Oh I agree they are part of the equation but IMHO that is for another topic really. This thread is about various file managers. I get excited when a new post is made and then disappointed when I see it's about licensing.... again :)

All IMHO of course :)
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I see your point but I was pointing out that the discussion of new discoveries are summed up, we are left now with opinions or if some new app comes along.

Most people seem to agree that Forklift is the best of the bunch and Pathfinder has become horrible. The rest are different attempts at it.
 
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