Yummy FTP 'Lite'

[JD]

I have seen that many people's FTP needs are very limited, and those people are put off from purchasing Yummy FTP because they feel that $25 is a lot to pay when they will never use 90% of Yummy FTP's capabilities.

To address this, let me know how you feel about a $10 'Lite' version of Yummy FTP that would have minimal features, bearing in mind that the last thing I want to do is undermine the full version, of course.

If you think it's a good idea, which features should be included?

Thanks,
Jason

[jermglc]

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.

[JD]

Some very good points. Thank you.

I haven't had many requests from people for a lite version, actually. It's just something I've seen mentioned in forums many times - people wishing for a cut down version of that app with the truck And it makes some sense, too.. most of Yummy FTP's feature set is for more advanced users. So I've been toying with this idea for some time, and now I'm asking opinions to see if it's worthwhile.

The price for the full version of Yummy FTP is competitive, indeed. But there are some free apps out there, too. I guess I'd like to hit the middle ground between the free and the expensive. If you can call $25 expensive, of course...

Upgrades are a plus. I didn't consider that. Interestingly enough, a lot of users appear to be coming from the PC already, especially ones who used Flash FXP for some reason.

I think the lite version would have to be very light, as you say, otherwise there is little to gain in purchasing the full version. But there does need to be a balance. For example, synchronization is present in a free alternative, albeit less feature-rich and polished. You get what you pay for Free is not really an option for Yummy FTP, I'm afraid.

I look forward to more opinions

[Skunkie]

I think this would be a great idea.  I can think of a few features you could leave out for the lite version.  You can of course take it or leave it.    Just hoping I am being the slightest bit helpful.

Synchronization
AppleScriptable
Scheduling
FTP Watcher

YummyFTP is by far my favorite FTP client and I am a recent Mac switcher.  I searched and used all the different FTP Clients before I came to the decision to buy YummyFTP.  It is by far the best client I have seen for both Mac and Windows.  I think a lite version will really help those who are new to the Mac world and community.  The lite version will definitely have an edge over the FTP client market right now.  As awesome as CyberDuck is, it just can't take the abuse YummyFTP can. 

[JD]

Thanks, Skunkie. Any, and all, feedback is very welcome It's really useful to hear how you see things from a switcher's perspective - just the kind of feedback I need!

[Andreas]

I like the idea of a "lite" version. But I don't think it's a big difference if you're spending $10 or $25 if you really need a good FTP client to work with. So...if it's just about publicity, a free version might do a better job. For example, I know a lot of people that don't know much about computers but have to send me one big file. They don't care about permissions, previews or filters; they don't even know what "encoding" is. And they're most likely not spending $25 for a one-time thing.
Of course a free version would have to be VERY stripped down to prevent cannibalizing of sales of the full version. Drop the multiple connections, the auto-reconnects, the remote editing, the Favorites, the History. Heck, maybe even the local view. Just leave the very basic stuff like active and passive connections, Drap&Drop and that kind of stuff. There.

But then, that's only my $0.02...

[JD]

Thanks for your feedback, Andreas.

The idea is not simply to create a publicity stunt, although heaven knows Yummy FTP could do with some publicity

I honestly feel there is a need for a very cheap and cut down version. But you have to bear in mind that there are already free FTP clients out there, so anything that must be paid for has to at least offer the same functionality, I think. The main reasons Yummy FTP is still attractive when compared with free alternatives are its speed, reliability and polish, so removing the auto-reconnect and queueing system would be pointless, I think.

My initial thoughts for features which could be cut out would be:

AutoRoute
FTP Alias
FTP Watcher
Suffix Mapping
Filters
List view only (no Column view)
Scheduling (for synchronization, batch & repeating transfers)
Edit with Any app (standard apps like BBEdit will still be available)
Maybe limit to connecting to one server at a time?
Several specialized options, such as Dec VMS support, EPSV/EPRT support, automatic time offset detection,  encoding translation, interactive transcript, etc.

So you can see where I'm going here. Nothing is cast in stone - I'm throwing ideas around to get feedback. Other suggestions are welcome, but before you post please take a look at what the free alternatives offer first.

Thanks,
Jason

[Andreas]

The idea is not simply to create a publicity stunt, although heaven knows Yummy FTP could do with some publicity

A good question, since I don't see any FTP client on MacOS X that does what Yummy does, and especially not one that does things that well. In fact, my personal opinion is that YummyFTP is to cheap for what it offers. But then, that's a quite silly thing to say as a customer, isn't it?

Anyway, I'm just not sure if you'd really gain anything by offering a Lite version, considering that you're probably selling X copies of a "Lite" version but lose some 0.3*X sales on the normal one (because people realize that they don't need the whole thing). But especially I'm worried about the general "make it cheaper" mentality that has been making rounds lately...it doesn't help anyone, and I suppose that other vendors would jump that train too, once they see you did.

In the end though, I should probably mind my own business instead telling everyone what I think would be the best thing to do.  I just really REALLY hope that this whole software thing is working out for you, because that also means good software for, well, just about every mac user out there...

About the feature list you mentioned, I think it's great. I've been looking at quite a few free ftp clients, and while some might offer other features, none seems to be as efficient (cpu usage, memory footprint) AND easy to use that I could recommend it unconditionally (yes, I'm probably biased). I definitely think that a YummyFTP Lite with this feature set would be well worth the $10.

[paulc]

Well, here is a radically different thoughts on a "lite" version. Make it doing "ftp aliases" only (upload drop box only).

I base this on a number of pals whose need for ftp is ONLY to transfer images to a central server (i.e. photo journalists). They have no interest on dealing with files on the server; matter of fact they couldn't do this with a full version either as the files get moved as soon as they complete the transfer to the server.

Yes I understand this is a very targeted thing, but I think there are quite a few folks out there who only need ftp to upload files.

[jermglc]

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

[JD]

As it happens, a standalone version of FTP Aliases is already planned

It sort of fits in with the freebie trend that I'm seeing here, since you'll be able to distribute an unlimited number of FTP Aliases and the end-user will get the service for free. Although I have been thinking about how to license them, making a freebie out of them might be worthwhile. I would think that a registered copy of Yummy FTP would be required to edit them, however, or are you suggesting that they be completely self contained?

[Tekl]

Hi,

that's a really cool idea to create a FTP Alias which can be sent to a customer who only wants to drop files.

But I think a customer should also be able to download files, so clicking the Alias should open a window similar to the finder where he can browse the contents of the underlying ftp-connection.

In my eyes 10$ are to expensive for a light version it must be 5$ and should allow to browse and manage bookmarks. It also should have the two-pane-view in contrast to the free clients.

Wolfgang

[JD]

Hi Wolfgang Glad to see you finally joined the forum!

I do like the stand alone FTP Alias, very much. I'll do this as soon as possible, but I think extending this to allow Server List only viewing might be too much to give away for free... unless maybe it is for viewing only - no upload/download from there.

There is Fugu already, which is free, which has the two pane view, so Yummy wouldn't be unique there.

I'm not sure about the lite version of Yummy FTP after all - there is perhaps too much competition in the free FTP client market. However, the free FTP Alias is pretty darned nice!

[Tekl]

Hi Jason,

well, if you don't want a browser in the alias what about opening the finder or a browser-window with links, so a customer could download files.

Well, does Fugu support normal FTP? I thougt it's only for SFTP.

Wolfgang

[JD]

True, Fugu does not provide FTP...  hmmm

I think for the Alias, providing any browser at all begins to make it into a free FTP client, or starts to make it Yummy FTP 'Lite'. I don't think the Alias should provide any browser - it should be ultra-simple for people just to send stuff, and that is all.