When next update?

[DW]

Sorry for this, guys.  I'm just one man doing about a hundred jobs.  I can say all of my experience over the years is being applied to an update but there are sometimes just not enough hours in a day to work on it.  If you do go with another solution you can always check back periodically for a free update.   Regards

[DW]

I'd previously gone over all of the possible arguments in my head many times and I totally agree with you on many points... However, I find it frustrating spending a lot of time debating, as you might be able to tell by my fledgling responses.  The pressure is already on.  Any further replies just serve as simple reminders of an already strong feeling.  I am working on changing the situation.  The update is being worked on every day, if not in code in features and design ideas in my mind.  There are no questions to ask or responses to give that will change the situation immediately for you.  You will have to either be patient or move on -- It may take a little while longer to achieve the quality I'm aiming for.

Regards

[john193]

I'd previously gone over all of the possible arguments in my head many times and I totally agree with you on many points... However, I find it frustrating spending a lot of time debating, as you might be able to tell by my fledgling responses.  The pressure is already on.  Any further replies just serve as simple reminders of an already strong feeling.  I am working on changing the situation.  The update is being worked on every day, if not in code in features and design ideas in my mind.  There are no questions to ask or responses to give that will change the situation immediately for you.  You will have to either be patient or move on -- It may take a little while longer to achieve the quality I'm aiming for.

Regards

Hi Dean,

I figured as much. You're a lone developer trying to be superman.  Now mind you that's great if you're a super programmer --- but as you've stated before... the first version of ListMailPro was a beginner hack. Mind you, you've learned some things.

Tell me this Dean.. I know you've got a wish list a mile long... but stepping
back into reality here for a moment if you would.  

Tell me what is the single most important next feature that you'd like to implement to ListMail Pro ?  Just one feature.

How long do you thing to implement just that one feature will it take ?

Once it's done and tested. Released that MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE
to the world and repeat the process.

It's called K.I.S.S. (The Principle of Good Software Development)

Christopher

[MagicStrategy]

So the first of May last year, 2007, I started a simple project in php that I thought would be a major advantage for my customers. I'm a pretty good php programmer (not available for outsourced jobs, so this is not a pitch). I was sure I would have it done in about two weeks.

Six weeks of intensive work went by and I was still sure it would be wrapped up in about two weeks.

Finally, sort of, in September, I wrapped up the documentation and made it available to buy in a pre-release mode. The good news? No bugs to speak of. The bad news, the system was not intuitive enough for "newbies." So I had to enhance it before I could promote it. That should be quick enough.

Now it's May 2008 and I'm sure it will really be ready in two weeks. Much more sure, anyway. Now it's magic for "newbies," and impressive for experienced marketers.

The point is: Two weeks became a year, because I insisted not on perfection but on reliable utility.

It sounds to me like Dean is doing the same thing.

So, Dean... I hope too many people don't bail... because I know that it takes time to turn out a quality software project. And, Dean, it does help that you look in here once in awhile and remind us that you haven't abandoned the ship. Thanks for that.

Patience... patience...

Rich Hamilton
(KillerSalesLetter.com)

[a-goodwin]

Hi "Get Results,"

I wanted to send you a private message, but that feature has been disabled on this board (?). I saw your profile was deliberately blank, so you may not be willing to respond. But if you are, my email is: artstate@comcast.net

and one of my websites is: http://www.smartist-telesummit.com

In advance, thanks for your time!
Ariane

[asr_guy]

Dean - do this:

1) Survey ALL the customers
- get testimonials
- ask if they had $100 to spend on fix/new feature what would the top 4 be
- give some incentive (e.g. raffle free upgrade to 10 survey answerers)

2) Gather results -> Take top 2 requested and assess time for fix devt.

3) Announce a date for the update -> you need a deadline or you will never do it

4) Hire someone in India for tech. support, or wherever. Don't think you are the only one who can do this stuff.

5) Offer the upgrade for e.g. $50 and just get 'er done.

Just do something before you spiral out of business. Come on dude, you can do it! There's many loyal customers here who are clearly willing to help. The days of one-man operations are over.

Heck I outsource ads to kids for $6, hire copywriters for sales letters, pay for hosting instead of making my own server, so why can't you outsource some coding/support work or whatever you hate doing?

[AlanT]

Over the past 2 days, I've researched the competition, checking to see what options would give us the features we're looking for.

It appears that there are several mailing list managers that have completely outstripped LMP in features while maintaining a reasonable price.

One thing to note - all of them offer only 1 year of updates for free, and the good ones release updates 5-6 times per year.

Anyways, as much as I like Dean and what he's done with LMP, I find that it's worth it to me to purchase another system at a cost between $250-$300.

If anyone is interested in more information, I posted my findings on my blog at:
http://alantutt.com/blog/alant/searching-perfect-mailing-list-manager

[getresults]

Hi "Get Results,"

I wanted to send you a private message, but that feature has been disabled on this board (?). I saw your profile was deliberately blank, so you may not be willing to respond. But if you are, my email is: artstate@comcast.net

and one of my websites is: http://www.smartist-telesummit.com

In advance, thanks for your time!
Ariane

Hi Ariane,

My profile wasn't deliberately blank - I just haven't filled it out.

You can contact me at phill@getresults.co.nz

Thanks,

Phill

[DW]

Work is in progress every day.  I might even allow some of you to preview the changes when it is in a more complete state.  I have considered closing Suggestions and Development temporarily because I don't really need any more input on the update.  This could free up a little time and allow me to focus solely on sales, support and programming.  (I probably won't do this...) I have a list of about 100 suggestions and of course am adding things that I would like to see myself as I work on the program.  The program is being redone with emphasis on ease-of-use and efficiency.  AJAX really helps here - there will be no 'full page refresh' when browsing through pages of results, removing rows or selections of rows, when modifying users or codes, etc. One of my next tasks is determining whether email can be sent effectively without timing out or causing problems using an AJAX request.  It seemed to work for the backup process, but I am a little skeptical... more lengthy testing is required.  Your patience will be rewarded.

Regards

[getresults]

Work is in progress every day.  I might even allow some of you to preview the changes when it is in a more complete state.

I'm happy to volunteer for testing of a new version.

[sat]

I'm new to ListMail, but it seems like a great product.  Two points to follow up this discussion...

1) TOTALLY agree that charging for an upgrade would be welcome and appropriate - especially if it gets the next version out sooner.  (I was a bit surprised that my version - which I obtained 18 months ago and am just now going production - is still the latest release.)

2) Feature request...  It seems a bit odd to me that the bounce limit parameters are set as a global configuration as opposed to a per-list configuration.  For instance, I have one list that gets mail 3 to 5 times per week.  Another list gets once or twice per month.  But - so far as I can tell - there is only one bounce parameter for all lists.  Is this true?  (And this might be in the wish-list for the new version.)

Thanks so much!

Steven Taylor

[john193]

Hey Dean,

I'm at the end of my patience here...

Tell me ONE THING you've done to LMP since 1.87D which is in a stable form that you can release to us ?

My biggest pet peeve seems to be the inability to throttle the speed at which emails are sent to various ISPs.  Yahoo.com being the BIGGEEE.....

It seems that maybe 2 or 3 years ago it was fine to send all the emails as fast as humanly possible at the different ISPs but it seems those days are over.  Finesse seems to the key --- but unfortunately, I don't know how to do this in LMP - got any GREAT IDEAS

Even having DOMAIN KEYS implemented on my dedicated server, it seems sending any emails out - interfacing to EXIM on CPANEL  is not working when it comes to YAHOO.COM

SHOW ME YOU REALLY CARE DEAN...

TALK IS GETTING CHEAP  and YOUR PROGRAM NEEDS SOME HELP COMPETING IN THE MARKETPLACE especially since the price is a bit much considering other competitors...

So what can you give us in terms of REAL CODE updates TODAY !!!!

Christopher  :x

[sat]

There is a work-around for yahoo and the sending frequency.  (Not that I would like to see some other updates.)

I ran into the same issue with another email program... It's possible to work with yahoo to become approved as a bulk mail sender, in which case they don't try to throttle you.

If you want details (since I don't know how to get in touch with you), email me at sat@webtorials.net.  (I'd really like to know another LMP user or two so we can share glitches and work-arounds - especially since I'm just getting started.)

Cheers!

steve

[BGSWebDesign]

Hi,

might even allow some of you to preview the changes when it is in a more complete state

As you know I've used LMP for years, and I'm ready to dump it!  There are other choices now, unfortunately you keep going on and on about how you're going to issue an UPDATE (for YEARS I believe)...

Tell us all - WHEN, or at least show us some screen snapshots, or tell us WHY you are taking so long?

Do you have a priority list, or are you just re-writing the whole thing, should we plan on 2-3 more years before we see anything?

[DW]

Yes it has been over a year.  The entire program is being rewritten.  Once that's done.. the online help needs to be rewritten.

Some shots:







As you can see I've got the config, paging and table design almost completed, and am adding features that are common causes for technical support.  I am also adding thing I myself could see being improved and will be implementing some often-requested user suggestions as well.  I can't give a time frame because there are so many features already in ListMail that need to be ported, but I can say a large amount of work and design (for use on other pages, which reduces time to code those) has been completed.

This post has taken up about 20 mins of time I should have spent catching up on support so I can continue work on the update.  Therefore I am closing this topic in an effort to complete the update more quickly.  If you have any support questions please post to the General Support category.

Regards