Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Phil Speth — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:32:15 GMT

Hey Chris,

It takes some guts to throw out topics like this and not a small degree of empathy to strike a balance. Nice post.

The comments here made me feel that a very cool topic for a blog post and even better a short book would be a covering the basics for would be DNN Developers and consultants.

Covering the business model, an insiders view of the real costs of support and maintenance etc.

I could go on about the details but I know you would do a better job.

Perhaps if you start with a blog post and ask vendors who may comment to identify themselves as vendors. This would be a great read.

As a purchaser I have been burned many times but have had some really great surprises. Some of my longshot purchases have paid off too.

I don't think that I think like many others so I really do end up with quite a few modification requests. When I can though I offer to sponsor the changes since I believe enhancing a good product and supporting a good vendor is a great way to support this spectacular ecosystem.

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Declan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:20:36 GMT

If/when I purchase a module I will usually go for a source version. My reason for this is to ensure that, should the developer "go under", I have a fighting chance of updating the module to run in future versions of DNN. I don't want to be stuck on a given version of DNN just because a particular module I need will not run in DNN version x.x.x.x. This adds additional cost which I consider my insurance.

Last year at OpenForce in Las Vegas I made a suggestion to Shawn for the Marketplace. The purpose was to give those purchasing modules insurance against the module developer disappearing off the scene. I believe it would help if all modules placed for sale in the Marketplace had the source held in escrow by DNN Corp.

Details would have to be agreed on what defines a module developer disappearing etc but basically some criteria could be agreed and when it is deemed that a module developer has failed to respond within the agreed timesacles then the source would be made available to those who need it. Alternatively some other developer may take over the module in agreement with the original developer, where possible. This would give potential purchasers a comfort factor and may encourage developers to use the Marketplace.

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Bruce Chapman — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:33:51 GMT

You sold it? Boo!

Oh well, back to the Nissans for you!

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Dave Amphlett — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:23:40 GMT

So true and well articulated.

I've been 'hacking' modules together for use on my own website business, with the background idea of producing some 'shrink-wrapped' modules for commercial release.

My experience of purchasing (many hundreds of dollars worth of) modules has been almost entirely negative. Most of the cheaper modules are rather sad affairs. Most of the expensive modules are at least functional, but rate very low on usability and require an overly heavy investment of time to get anywhere with.

The pricing on SnowCovered does put me off producing shrink-wrapped modules. To produce something that I'd be comfortable releasing to 'represent me' would take significantly longer than the return I would expect from looking at comprably functional modules.

One is left wondering whether delivering a reasonably polished product that is pleasant to use would be enough benefit for the module to stand out from the crowd. I suspect that will require more accessible 'magazine' style DNN content websites that review, comment and 'reward' (award?) quality module developers.

Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative

DotNetKicks.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:49:24 GMT

You've been kicked (a good thing) - Trackback from DotNetKicks.com

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Joe Craig — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:12:39 GMT

I do like the subscription model. And, as one who is using modules in a business setting, I don't have problems paying several hundred dollars a year (or sometimes more!) for quality modules. Where there are important or critical requirements, we've also "sponsored" the development of specific features at a much higher price. These prices are, though, much lower than it would cost us to do the same thing.

The additional benefit of the subscription model is the (not so) subtle encouragement to the module developer to make the next versions sufficiently attractive that people will subscribe when the first subscription expires.

For me, too, support is a really big issue. Most of the modules that I've purchased over a couple of years have been from developers with excellent support. Again, the modules have got to cost enough that developers can afford to provide support.

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Peter Donker — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:18:02 GMT

I'm completely with you Chris and Bruce spoke my mind. Just some additions from my part:

Shops

Snowcovered is a very fuzzy shop. It is hard to see what you'll get, despite efforts from them with reviews and the like. I have found that once off the TOP 10 you're off the edge (i.e. your sales end up in free fall). That would lead me to believe that buyers go to SC and fail to find what they're looking for. So your advice is welcome to these people. I do sincerely hope that the review program of DNN will get a new lease of life soon. I could imagine it to be extended to cover some other aspects you've mentioned.

Prices

I wholeheartedly agree that the pricepoint of the vast majority of modules is the single biggest threat to the future of the ecosystem. At 200 USD I sell something that would cost that many times over outside the DNN zone. I have tried a module very briefly at 10 USD and quickly realized that that was not sustainable. I pulled it and offered it for free instead.

Customers

I love my customers and I know the majority realize that paying for my module keeps me being able to put bread on the table for my family and motivated to continue developing. But you've quite rightly pointed out that our market is also full of customers that expect everything under the sun for 25 dollars. The major misconception on their part is probably the size of the DNN market. We're not selling 1000's of modules a day (at whatever price point). The market is good, but not that good.

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

Jay — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:06:17 GMT

Hi Chris.

Thanks for the post.

I agree with you that consumers should test modules thoroughly before purchasing. The only problem with this is that sometimes the demos and documentation just don't cut it for the consumers. Then they are forced to scourge the forums for information and ask specific questions about the module which can sometimes take awhile to answer or be misleading. This may end in a refund request or feature request, if they end up purchasing the module.

Here are my suggestions for developers to help the consumers make an educated decision.

1.)Documentation of the module that is updated

2.)Have a demo of the product in action

3.)If the demo does not have all functions of the module (include all user roles), A trial Version should be provided

4.)Respond to inquiries about the product

5.)Licensing information details

6.)Upgrade Policies and discounts

7.)Refund policy (a good example of this is how data spring attaches their refund policy to all their modules on snowcovered.com, see below)

'REFUND POLICY Data Springs, Inc. will provide refunds within 30 days of purchase if a significant bug or issue is found. We encourage all customers to review documentation and preview modules at www.betasprings.com BEFORE purchase. We also have trial versions for several of our modules that are available before purchase. We do not issue refunds or credits for any packages that include source code or enterprise editions.'

This refund policy is pretty strait forward and in a location that all consumers will see. It also acts as a good education tool to inform them to test and preview the module. This also acts as a reference to the consumer if they ever request a refund.

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

tony2005 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:20:54 GMT

And some DNN developers really suck! Yeah.. let me name one. The developer of Portal Store at http://www.dnn-modules.com. No demo store on his site. No trial version to download. Did not reply to my email. Did not reply to my question at Snowcovered. I wanted to ask the single reviewer on SnowCovered how did she base her purchase decision.

How does he expect people to purchase his products!?

re: Looking for DotNetNuke Modules? (minor rant, hopefully an informative post)

mark — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:41:10 GMT

As strictly a consumer for personal and business purposes I have to add that the developers who have moved to a subscription plan with regular updates have become more and more attractive. Sure I might be paying as much as $120 a year for a subscription but this gives access to modules I might not have considered before, along with priority support, access to the latest build, input on the modules future development.

Hmm.. come to think about it this sounds alot like DotNetNuke sponsor program.