INteresting idea paulc.  Given the previous post about people merely sending a simple file and another idea about what components to include when identifying what to make free, how about the following:

1.  A free version that merely dumps files to a device (although, if not careful enough this idea could be bad if for some reason the file dumps don't work well it would push someone to someplace else OR to buy the lite version)
2.  A lite version with addiitonal functionality
3.  A full version with all the trimmings

What's the scale of the demand?  I think that would/will determine the need.  Of the people that have purchased or downloaded the client, how many have come back asking for a Lite version?

I have done some homework here and there is no real comparison in the Mac community.  Pretty much all the clients are at or around $25 (Transmit = $30).  So, from a Mac community perspective I think you're right on target.  Having said that however, there is value to providing a Lite version from a marketing perspective.  Here are some things I think of when you say Lite verion...

1.   You can't comprimise the strategic goal of creating a kick-ass full client.  Determining a feature set for a Lite version is tough as everyone will have an opinion.  For example, as a Security Professional, I would like to see more security but perhaps a feature such as SFTP is not in a Lite version and users would have to buy the "pro" or "full" version to get that feature (see #3 below).

2.  People that buy the Lite version may indeed decide later on to upgrade.  If they choose to upgrade they could do so for say....$20.  Yes, that puts the total investment at $30 for users that decide to do so but it also might persuade people to buy the full client right out of the gate.  Clearly, for users coming over from the PC there is some hesitation to spending a lot of money on software given how much they have already spent to get away from the PC in the first place so a trimmed down version for $10 might do well.

3.  Lite version should be very light.  To detemine feature set for a light version you may want to compare the feature set difference for clients on the PC.  Core FTP (www.coreftp.com) comes to mind for this model although I think their "Lite" version is free.  CuteFTP distinguishes between a Home and Professional version which is another interesting model to consider later on too...


Let the numbers (in terms of demand) dictate what you do here.

Unless I missed it, I could not find a link to the www.yummysoftware.com home page from the forum.  Might be something to add.  From a usabilty perspective, if the public is trying to get information on your product by visiting the forums and decide they want to give it a try based on what they have read here, they have to input the home address into their browser bar which is annoying.  The easier to use/navigate the better.  The current link for Yummy Software in the forums merely take you to the forum home page. 

How difficult woudl it be to add a feature that allows the s/w client to determine the u/l and d/l speed of a transfer.  For example, you are hitting an FTP device on an ISP network (e.g., Road Runner) and you don't want to hammer the connection trying to d/l at say 60 or 65 kB/s you could go into your client settings and restrict the u/l and d/l transfer rate to may 30 kB/s.   Maybe something to look at.

BTW, installed the BETA and already poking at it.  Something that might be helpful for the community is to have the users that use public FTP sites post the site they are using so your BETA testers can help validate issues that are brought to the forum.  Might help relieve some overhead for you...