So the new version of Movable Type is out. And they’ve got a great promotion price for the personal editions only $39.95! Don’t forget, they always have a free version for personal use which also has unlimited weblogs (the free version of the software is not disabled at all) but no support other than the forums.
If you have donated before, they let you apply a $20 credit from earlier versions and it makes it $19.95! It’s “just” five authors (that’s four more than I have), it’s $30 more for unlimited authors. This is an awesome deal! Nothing like when they did the 3.x release upgrade that made everyone (not me) crazy about prices and limitations.
I’l probably be upgrading next week, once everyone else has worked out all the bugs ;)
I think it’s got moderation for trackbacks and some new styles “stuff” to make it easy to manage the look of your site. Also an unlimited number of blogs! Here’s a list of their “32 Favorite Features”.
It’s also got some 3.2 specific plug-ins: one that’s supposed to be super for enclosures (like for feeds and podcasting!), some notifier stuff, something for stats and I guess the new styles thingy is a plug-in (or maybe this is something extra).
At the risk of sounding like a Luddite… I just don’t get the appeal of PAYING for blog-related stuff when so much perfectly good stuff is free.
There is a free version “license” for personal use, you just don’t get their professional support since you didn’t pay. But it’s exactly the same product (unlimited blogs and everything).
But if you do support the authors and you had previously made a donation you can get a $20 credit towards a $69.95 item (that is $30 off right now) making it $40-$20 so it’s only 19.95! Which is a deal! I’m thinking one questions from the professional support and it’s more than paid for!
Yes, I still think the normal price of $69 is a little high for a person who just wants a blog or two. Yes, they can get the free version but now Six Apart gets nothing if they go that route. There are too many other free or less expensive options out there. They need an easy way to get a $10 or $20 donation from the people who don’t want to give up $69 normally. Make them spend $25 for a MT t-shirt or hat which “includes” a two blog license or something (and now they’re advertising). Or just charge a few bucks more for the items if you’re not registered.
Hmm… If they adopt one of my proposed sales model maybe I’ll get a few items (I wear an extra large t-shirt) for a commission…
MT has lots of support. There are support forums even if you don’t pay. A few of the support staff are a few of the people who used to help people on-line for free. And if you pay, you can access the pro net help and post trouble slips.
It’s a an excellent product worth trying!!!!
I wrote this post (and my first comment) when I was very tired. I’ve cleaned both up a little (a lot) since then.