MAS version vs. not...

[camner]

I've read some of the posts about this topic here (and elsewhere), but the 24-hour $.99 sale on YFTP is tempting me for the first time...

Is MAS vs nonMAS truly just a matter of user preference?  What would be the basis on any preference I have?  I've got several YFTP licenses already (through various bundles over the years), and in general I'm not much of a MAS user (except for a couple of apps that are only available through MAS).

Thus far, all of my (few) MAS apps have had free upgrades (and all of my iTunes Store apps for the iPhone have had only free updates).  Presumably at some point developers need to start charging for updates if they plan on staying in business!

Are there considerations here I'm missing?  Jason seems committed to offering both versions indefinitely (at least with present plans....).  What's the advantage/disadvantage to developers AND users for the MAS version(s) vs. "non"?

[JD]

Are you expecting a reply from me, or from users of Yummy?

[camner]

Well, I'm not sure I was EXPECTING a reply from anyone [though I don't mind hearing from different perspectives...], and I recognize (in rereading my original post) that I wasn't very precise in my question.

Part of it, I suppose, is more curiosity about how the how ITS and MAS systems are supposed to work for developers (I'm not one...).  "Pay once for unlimited upgrades" seems like a great deal for the end user, but doesn't strike me as a great business model for developers (unless by being in the MAS at a cheap price one hopes to "make it up on volume"...).

I can't tell you exactly why, but I haven't personally liked the MAS from the beginning, even as an end user.  There's something about the whole thing I find annoying.

That said, as more and more folks (developers) migrate to the MAS, I'm wondering if I should bow to the inevitable and make the switch to MAS, particularly on a day like today when you're making so easy

[JD]

All I will say is that I had a lot of requests to provide a Mac App Store version, so I provided it.

I guess that for many people, the Mac App Store offers the advantages of a central software and license repository, so that you never need to worry about lost licenses or software again because everything can be recovered automatically by Apple, plus each app must adhere to Apple's strict store requirements and then be reviewed by Apple's own dedicated review team to ensure app quality. On top of that, the store and management mechanisms that go with it are very much integrated into the OS and so Yummy becomes part of that ecosystem.

I can't imagine a time that I would go App Store only, but at $0.99 there will never be a cheaper opportunity to get a Mac App Store license. This price is only available for 24 hours. If not now, perhaps you might want to use it the future

[camner]

Thanks for your replies.

Now let me ask a practical (and hopefully easy) question.

Is there any reason I can't keep both a MAS and non-MAS version of an app (e.g. YFTP) on my machine alongside one another (not in the same folder, of course...)

[JD]

You could, but why?