Explain that to linux and other FOSS developers....
I'm not a fan of the free tease semi-featured edition, to nag-ware, to pay for only transition that TS has utilized, its similar to how Microsoft gives out severely discounted windows to schools and other entities in order to lock-in users to their monoculture to build future market share. I find it highly unethical, and selfish. Phil or whomever writes/markets TS is free to do whatever they wish , its just not a policy I agree with or condone.
Unfortunately, I don't feel the intent of this thread was to enter the religious debate of Open Source. Supporting a niche market like MegaSquirt is quite different from the mainstream large FOSS efforts that are mostly driven by large companies such as IBM or Oracle. However with that said; As the user base of my applications has grown, so has support. In order to properly support the MegaSquirt community and continue to provide new applications such as the coming Android logger, I have needed to leave my previous day job as well as cover many additional costs. I fully support the free versions of my applications too and require no one to pay. There are thankfully many others that are fine with paying a few bucks for the time I give. I do appreciate it and consider myself lucky as I do enjoy this work. It is work though and I'm not sure I understand why software developers are selfish if they don't work for free or for a large company that has figured out how to indirectly take your money.
So whether it is selfish to spend 50-60 hours a weak using the skills I have gained by working in the fields of automotive, aeronautical, nautical and computers for the past 30 years to provide support to other enthusiast while hoping to make a living; well that can be your own opinion. This is well beyond a hobby and is a real job, a job I enjoy, that makes it no less work. But in the end, my wife and kids do appreciate shelter and food.
Locking this thread as it has very much deviated from the original intent.
I hope to see a similar thread opened that stays focused on the topic.