The Simple Machines Team is proud to announce the founding of Simple Machines LLC, the new business entity created specifically to promote and build the Simple Machines organization. Simple Machines LLC was registered in the state of Arizona on October 23 and the transfer of copyrights from Lewis Media Inc. were completed on November 24 during a three-day retreat in Tucson, AZ.
David Recordon, Past Project Manager said, "The transition of ownership from Lewis Media to the new business structure marks a significant milestone in the history of the SMF project. The Simple Machines team has long been working towards a more structured and independent business model, and this registration solidifies the final step in this process."
Until today, the Simple Machines copyrights were held by Lewis Media on behalf of the Simple Machines community, as until today, the community has not been represented by a dedicated legal entity. With this transition, the Simple Machines community has solidified the team's commitment to continuously providing free software, without the perceived risks of corporate influence.
Users concerned with the changing copyright notice at the bottom of every SMF install, need not worry about the transition. Previous versions of the copyright notice will still validate correctly, while future releases of SMF will include the modified statements. Also, users can rest assured that SMF will continue to be provided free of charge; the transition to the new business structure includes the preservation of the existing SMF team values, the first of which reads "We will provide our software to the public for free. A full and complete version of any software title developed by this project will be available to everyone without any cost, be it monetary or otherwise."
During the transition period, several business structures were evaluated and ultimately a Limited Liability Company was selected due to the flexibility of the organization and how easily it can accommodate a geographically distributed management team. Joseph Fung, co-founder of YaBB SE / SMF and President/CEO of Lewis Media, commented on the transition. "Simple Machines is relatively small organization, and with an LLC, we can avoid the overhead of more complex structures. Also, this keeps our options open, should we choose to pursue an alternative business structure in the future. This launch is a giant step for the community; it sets the stage for exhilarating new opportunities!"
Congratulations to Simple Machines, LLC.
Many Thanks to Lewis Media, and the ENTIRE SMF Team for caretaking this brilliant forum software, and much appreciation to the SMF Support Team for their hard work and dedication.
Long Live SMF~! :)
Congratulations, you have a new baby!
Good luck with it, and great idea....
Kudos,
Just another example of why SMf continues to pull away from other forum software
makers.
It says we care all over it.
Hey look I feel all warm and fuzzy :P
Thanks For All You Do !
Cozmo
Huzzah!!!
Congratulations, this is great to hear, and a big step for SMF. :)
Great news. Just one step in our plan for world domination :P
Glad to see that the initial response is so positive :)
Great to hear guys, hope everything works out great for ya. This is a big step for SMF. :)
This is great news. SMF all the way!
Great news, indeed! Congrats!
Quote from: Joseph on November 27, 2006, 05:50:05 PMThis launch is a giant step for the community; it sets the stage for exhilarating new opportunities!"
Opportunities... such as? ??? ;)
World Domination of course.
Woot! SMF RULES!!!
Quote from: Thantos on November 28, 2006, 12:28:10 AMWorld Domination of course.
Of course! Now it's official! ;D
Quite amazing news, glad to hear it.
This is great news! Go SMF! :D
Congrats Simplemachines LLC!
Can any1 share beers with me on this special occasion
Quote from: nitins60 on November 28, 2006, 07:41:40 AM
Can any1 share beers with me on this special occasion
I can't, I'm under 18 which is the legitimate and recommended age to drink alcohol.
Congratulations to all involved in this spectacular and promising project !
Congrats for what I understood, but what exactly does it mean other than changing of the copyright???
Congratulations!!!!!
Quote from: nitins60 on November 28, 2006, 07:41:40 AM
Can any1 share beers with me on this special occasion
Sure hehe, i'll share one with you.. if you come to Argentina :P
Gratz SMF!
Congratulations on this new phase!
Wise decision! :)
so, can we expect the 1.1 release now? or at least accelerated?
Quote from: anonim on November 28, 2006, 01:31:53 PM
so, can we expect the 1.1 release now? or at least accelerated?
1.1 has been released to Charter Members. Expect a public release soon!
Quote from: huwnet on November 28, 2006, 01:50:03 PM
Quote from: anonim on November 28, 2006, 01:31:53 PM
so, can we expect the 1.1 release now? or at least accelerated?
1.1 has been released to Charter Members. Expect a public release soon!
Well there goes the surprise :P
Great news :D
Woot, congrats :D
Quote from: L.G.S on November 28, 2006, 12:45:04 PM
Congrats for what I understood, but what exactly does it mean other than changing of the copyright???
The real difference is that as an organization, it no longer needs to rely on the support of Lewis Media as legal representation and holder of the copyrights. It means that the orgnization has matured enough to stand on it's own two feet, and most importantly - it means that the community has a life of it's own!
Although Jeff Lewis and I were the ones that launched SMF, and although Lewis Media has always held the position that SMF will always be free - there are always naysayers (typically supporters of other forum software) who imply that Lewis Media's influence would eventually lead to a paid software model.
This separation is an affirmation of our commitment to always providing free software to the online community. See Value #1 :) (http://www.simplemachines.org/about/values.php)
Quotetypically supporters of other forum software
There's other forum software? ;D
Quoteit means that the community has a life of it's its own
We do? :D
w00t... Go SMF... ahh.. It makes the copyright bigger.. Now people are going to complain more :P
Quote from: Joseph on November 28, 2006, 02:13:07 PM
The real difference is that as an organization, it no longer needs to rely on the support of Lewis Media as legal representation and holder of the copyrights. It means that the orgnization has matured enough to stand on it's own two feet, and most importantly - it means that the community has a life of it's own!
Sounds great an I really hope SMF will always be free (hope nothing will happen as with Mambo/Joomla a few months ago).
Can you tell me if there is any website with more information about the new organisation and which persons build the team behind Simple Machines LLC (so I can give our users more information about this news)?
I am very happy with the change. The people actively involved in the project now have better control over the direction and I think we will see some great things because of that. I would also like to thank Lewis Media for their support in the past, and hopefully continued good relations as the project continues.
nehcregit:
SMF will continue to be free. It is one of the values of the team and organization.
There is no separate site for the organization currently (and I don't see one in the near future). The people making up the LLC are the project managers here.
For stuff important to the users, not much has changed and I don't think there will be too much visible change beyond the copyright statement at the footer. The same people will continue to develop the software and support it, etc. The real big change is that the project now owns its own legal rights instead of those being held by a separate company.
Thank you for the information, Motoko-chan. :)
Congratulations :)
Now that you're a (L)imited (L)iability (C)ompany, I think the company should issue our shares on the stock market, on the OTCBB or Pinksheets.
I'd buy in for sure.
And it would be a great way for the company to raise revenue.
If you are an LLC you do not issue stock. They are only owned by the partners in the company and no one else. To issue stock, Simple Machines would need to incorporate.
Disclaimer: The following is my own opinion, and anything I say may not express the views and opinions of any of the partners of Simple Machines, LLC or any other team members.
The main problem I find with a corporation is that once they start issuing stock, then the ownership of the company becomes diluted (stock = ownership of the company) and you have to answer to the shareholders. As is usually the case, the whole point then is to maximize the value of the company (and the stock) for the shareholders. The first, and most obvious, thing at that point would be to move SMF to a paid model. That would monetize the company's assets and please those investors.
If you look at our values (http://www.simplemachines.org/about/values.php), you will see that the first one is to provide our software for free to the public. This is in direct opposition to the goals a corporation has to its investors. The whole point is to not have the risk of corporate influence in that way.
I think for this reason there will not be any kind of stock issue no matter what shape Simple Machines takes now or in the future. It is much easier to stick to core values (do no evil?) when you have a core ownership among people with the same values and goals without outside investors you must answer to.
Quote from: nitins60 on November 28, 2006, 07:41:40 AM
Can any1 share beers with me on this special occasion
Sure... I'll drink mine @ 11pm Pacific Time.
Quote from: nite0859 on November 29, 2006, 11:16:47 PM
Now that you're a (L)imited (L)iability (C)ompany, I think the company should issue our shares on the stock market, on the OTCBB or Pinksheets.
I'd buy in for sure.
And it would be a great way for the company to raise revenue.
As Motoko-chan stated, an LLC doesn't have to issue stock. If you are intrested in learning about LLCs, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_liability_company . :D This is one of the many advantages of a LLC. It was chosen for its flexability.
That's most certainly great news! I hope SMF keeps growing like so in the future :)
Thanks for the clarification!
;D
All I can say is that it is fantastic that Simple Machines is now an LLC :D
Congratulations for SMF LLC
This is the Best forum software ever :D
SMF LLC is a little like a SimpleMachines Foundation (SMF) now lol (arf, mozilla lol) ...
Good idea to have done this. ;)
You can take it as business as usual for SMF with the additional of having greater control than was previously available. The core values and commitment as ever remain the same.
good luck guys :)
you deserve success on all you do.
wish you the very best.. :D
I'm sorry I haven't replied to this topic sooner. I've been really busy trying to take care of the last details for the transfer.
I'm really proud of SMF and now Simple Machines LLC. I have really optimistic hopes for the future.
I also want to remind everyone that although there have been changes to the Leadership of our organization, we have every intention of maintaining the original goals and dreams of our predecessors.
I have only one more wish with LLC, a better coordination for languages and languages support please...
CONGRATS!!!!
Quote from: GravuTrad on December 21, 2006, 04:17:08 AM
I have only one more wish with LLC, a better coordination for languages and languages support please...
Hm, I know a turkish private SMF Support Site and my own german one who give localized support to their users and do a good job. Maybe there is sometime any possibility to work together with this boards and communities...
Just noticed the change in the footer of this board.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm very proud to have SMF board and be part of this amazing community...
Anna
Congratulations to Simple Machines, LLC. This is a big step for you guys.
I have said many times and I will say it over and over again: SMF is the best forum software there is out there
SMF ROCKS
I had no clue you were in Tucson w/ me! This is awesome - about the move to an LLC! Congratulations on lots of hard work!
i really like SMF.
Quote from: nehcregit on January 10, 2007, 03:57:43 AM
Quote from: GravuTrad on December 21, 2006, 04:17:08 AM
I have only one more wish with LLC, a better coordination for languages and languages support please...
Hm, I know a turkish private SMF Support Site and my own german one who give localized support to their users and do a good job. Maybe there is sometime any possibility to work together with this boards and communities...
To work yes will be cool, but that i ask is directly too to the team smf. Think about more foreign users please, same if you haven't languages talked by members of you team...
I chose SMF because I heard about all the phpbb vulnerabilities. They're not as friendly on their forum, there is no help with mods, so it's really a waste of time dealing with them directly. SMF has great software, great support, great everything ... good stuff.
Quote from: GravuTrad on February 11, 2007, 04:08:47 PM
To work yes will be cool, but that i ask is directly too to the team smf. Think about more foreign users please, same if you haven't languages talked by members of you team...
That is why we have the language-specific boards. If a large enough community registers here and requests it, we will make a specific support board for those users and find a moderator for that area.
If we don't have a translation for SMF yet, you are welcome to make one and send it in. Ask first, however, before going too involved so if someone else is also working on the language, we can help coordinate things so you don't do duplicate work.
No lol, i already work on french smf translation with the french team which do it, so it's not really the problem, but my tells were for example to talk more too of foreign charters members.
How do the team for them?
(cause surely they have not all best support that can have english or german people no?)
And with this new Simple Machines LLC, how this charter status is taken?
Charter Membership did not change. Nothing changed really besides now a new copyright holder.
Thanks (my love)
I have used SMF since it first released the 1st. public release as I was a YaBB-SE Die hard before that.
I run SMF on my Jack Nicklaus Golf Game Forum as well as the local Computer Users Group Site and Forum and all the users on both of the forums love the ease of getting around on them and I will not switch to any other, and as someone else said above, "Is there other Forum Software out there?" ;)
Congratulations SMF Team and wishing you all the best in all that you do . . . . . :)
Snuffy . . . . 8)
Great news... keep going on... :)
Yeah, good on yous, i think we need to get rid of our pathetic rivals such as phpbb *snigger* :D so world domination it is!
Why is that?
without competition theres less emphasis for SMF to improve over anything.
Is the LLC a 501(c)(3) non-profit?
If so it should get some free google advertising (http://www.google.com/grants/).
No it is not 501c3
True about that.
Quote from: metallica48423 on April 07, 2007, 11:09:40 PM
without competition theres less emphasis for SMF to improve over anything.
fair enough but the emphasis was on the fact that smf's rivals are pathetic...
Quote from: samames on April 10, 2007, 03:35:02 PM
fair enough but the emphasis was on the fact that smf's rivals are pathetic...
I wouldn't say that. All the other board systems have some cool parts and certainly are better at some things than SMF is. The drive to be as good in all these little parts is what keeps SMF developing and improving.
just accept the compliment :) lol
its seems you are celebrating with a new site design, it looks nice....
Quote from: RyanB on April 16, 2007, 05:28:31 PM
its seems you are celebrating with a new site design, it looks nice....
This is an old post - It was posted in November 2006. The new site design was more recent ;D
What state is the LLC registered, and can I have links to find out more about the managing bodies of this new LLC? Also if there is no intent to go commercial why is this not a 501(c)(3)?
Sorry to be noise but this is smelling allot like IPB, they made a new LLC and announced a new version right before going paid.
I am not an angry user just looking for some info so I know the future of my board of choice.
Keep in mind that this announcment is nearly 8 months old now, and a few releases, and one major release (1.1) have come through under the new LLC.
Arizona is the state it is registered in.
I would like to point you in the direction of a few things. Firstly, our team values. We hold ourselves to these values, they are our bible, if you will. One of which states that we will always offer a fully functional, free version of our software.
http://www.simplemachines.org/about/values.php
Also check this out about why we think free is better:
http://www.simplemachines.org/about/whyfree.php
If you are looking for more information I would recommend sending an email to
[email protected]Also, on a personal level, I can understand the thoughts regarding IPB, i can see also where the situations were similar. Simply put, SMF is free. It will always be free -- our own goals allow for nothing other.
Quote from: metallica48423 on April 20, 2007, 06:58:10 PM
Keep in mind that this announcment is nearly 8 months old now, and a few releases, and one major release (1.1) have come through under the new LLC.
Arizona is the state it is registered in.
I would like to point you in the direction of a few things. Firstly, our team values. We hold ourselves to these values, they are our bible, if you will. One of which states that we will always offer a fully functional, free version of our software.
http://www.simplemachines.org/about/values.php
Also check this out about why we think free is better:
http://www.simplemachines.org/about/whyfree.php
If you are looking for more information I would recommend sending an email to [email protected]
Also, on a personal level, I can understand the thoughts regarding IPB, i can see also where the situations were similar. Simply put, SMF is free. It will always be free -- our own goals allow for nothing other.
Yeah a few small releases, big deal, the main reason I am worried is Jeff Lewis sold his assets in Lewis Media and is no longer a part of Lewis Media and he did this around the time this new LLC was made.
Those links are good and all but they say nothing, nothing in them is legally binding, and a small name change lets them do what ever they want with future releases.
Don't take these things wrong, or misinterpret them, but rather address them.
Again I am happy with the software and honor your license and copyright, but everything about them screams going commercial at some point.
PS: I have sent about a dozen emails in the last month with no response.
QuoteYeah a few small releases, big deal,
I don't consider 1.1 final to be a small release.
QuoteJeff Lewis sold his assets in Lewis Media and is no longer a part of Lewis Media and he did this around the time this new LLC was made.
Jeff hasn't been directly involved with SMF for some time (years IIRC). I have no idea what he has been doing with Lewis Media but the bulk (if not all) of SMF's involvement with Lewis Media for a good long while has been handled but Joseph. It was Joesph who was there for the changeover and who posted this topic.
QuoteDon't take these things wrong, or misinterpret them, but rather address them.
They have been addressed, repeatidly.
QuoteAgain I am happy with the software and honor your license and copyright, but everything about them screams going commercial at some point.
I suggest getting your hearing checked then, because you are hearing things that just aren't there.
Please post publicly the corporate structure of the LLC.
1) Me
2) Everyone else
As of right now only Amacythe has a role in the LLC. We kinda stalled, due to time and focusing on more demanding issues, on the discussion of what the role and responsibilities of any LLC Partners will be.
I notice on the Lewis Media they claim to own Simple Machines LLC, is that true?
Anyway sorry Thantos if you think I am being rude, but I am just trying the flush out the truth in all of the PR BS on those why free pages. As a user seeing the same things happen at IPB you should understand my concern.
QuoteI notice on the Lewis Media they claim to own Simple Machines LLC, is that true?
Link?
http://www.lewismedia.com/Products-and-Services/SMF-(Simple-Machines-Forum)-Discussion-Board.html
&
http://www.lewismedia.com/News.html
(Lewis Media Launches Simple Machines LLC)
Grated I think they are more implying it so there potential clients think they are bigger then they really are. I don't think they really do own the LLC.
EDIT: Also this has nothing to do with a post int he comments section this is stuff I have been wondering for a long time. Figured I waited long enough for everyone to have all there info straight.
PS Any plans on releasing details on how you all will spend the 10k from Godaddy?
Those PRs on LM are all wrong. Jeff & Joseph did not launch SMF in 2001. That would be YaBB SE. It was launched under the name Simple Machines Forum. It was copyrighted by Lewis Media, but (extremely) little of the code that Jeff & Joseph created in YaBB SE was still around. Now, Simple Machines Forum is copyright Simple Machines LLC.
QuoteAs a user seeing the same things happen at IPB you should understand my concern.
Yeah, I was using IPB 1.2/1.3 back when they said it would always be free...
As metallica48423 said, the team values are viewable at http://www.simplemachines.org/about/values.php, one of which is that we "will provide our software to the public for free". We live by those values, and nearly the whole team is strongly against going paid (if SMF were to ever go paid, there'd be no team members left :P).
Trust me, SMF will
never go paid, no matter what happens :)
Quote from: eldʌkaː on April 20, 2007, 08:22:50 PM
Please post publicly the corporate structure of the LLC.
It is posted. Check with the Arizona Secretary of State and look at the filings for the company.
Quote from: Motoko-chan on April 20, 2007, 11:21:35 PMIt is posted. Check with the Arizona Secretary of State and look at the filings for the company.
That's a whole lot of effort, and I don't even know where Arizona is on a map. Couldn't one of the PMs post a brief summary? I suppose Thantos just did, saying Amacythe is the only one to have a role. If that changes will you explain the changes please?
http://www.azsos.gov/scripts/TNT_Search_engine.dll
Search for the company name there. All changes to the LLC have to be filed as well, so they will be posted there as well when filed.
Just wondering is a Limited Liability company is really needed for SMF? Does it fear going into bankruptcy and personal assets being taken from the management?
Does it need to be its own entity? To sue and be sued?
Just a query, I do Business Studies at school and would like to know more about why SMF chose the expense and complication? I'm Australian, but our Limited Liability structure are LTD, or PTY LTD as well. You might not want to give away exactly what LLC SMF is. But it's probably PTY LTD. That would be more logical.
Still, why have so much compulsory documentation needed and financial data? That's what happens in Australia. Wouldn't it be better off as a cooperative, rather than a company at all?
Don't get me wrong, I am not attacking SMF's 8-month-old choice. I am just interested.
It is better in general for an organization to be in existence to hold the copyright and other ownership of the project.
As far as I know, there is only one type of LLC in the US. It is really the easiest way to handle a company when more than one person will be involved in it. A general partnership (perhaps what you referred to as a cooperative) doesn't have to be legally registered, and so that makes it harder to determine who owns what. There is incorporation, but that has a lot more documentation and expense involved.
It also helps to have a central licensed entity when you want to handle any potential issues (look at GAIM, where AOL intimidated the developers all individually since there was no one organization in charge). It is a shame to have to think that way, but many people and companies do like to sue.
This LLC is going to be the same as Invision Forum. SMF is free for now. SMF will go the exact way as Invision did. So don't be surprise.
No it won't - stop flame baiting... just do a search to see the staff support for keeping SMF free.
A definite flame bait. Of 5 posts, two are comments about SMF going paid and nothing to back up the accusation.
If anyone has good, solid, verifiable evidence of this project going paid, feel free to bring it up, otherwise shut up with the conspiracy and rumors, they are getting very tiring.
QuoteJust wondering is a Limited Liability company is really needed for SMF? Does it fear going into bankruptcy and personal assets being taken from the management?
Does it need to be its own entity? To sue and be sued?
Just a query, I do Business Studies at school and would like to know more about why SMF chose the expense and complication? I'm Australian, but our Limited Liability structure are LTD, or PTY LTD as well. You might not want to give away exactly what LLC SMF is. But it's probably PTY LTD. That would be more logical.
Still, why have so much compulsory documentation needed and financial data? That's what happens in Australia. Wouldn't it be better off as a cooperative, rather than a company at all?
Don't get me wrong, I am not attacking SMF's 8-month-old choice. I am just interested.
QuoteIt is better in general for an organization to be in existence to hold the copyright and other ownership of the project.
As far as I know, there is only one type of LLC in the US. It is really the easiest way to handle a company when more than one person will be involved in it. A general partnership (perhaps what you referred to as a cooperative) doesn't have to be legally registered, and so that makes it harder to determine who owns what. There is incorporation, but that has a lot more documentation and expense involved.
It also helps to have a central licensed entity when you want to handle any potential issues (look at GAIM, where AOL intimidated the developers all individually since there was no one organization in charge). It is a shame to have to think that way, but many people and companies do like to sue.
The cooperative I was talking about is very like a partnership, except I suppose you could call it an incorporated partnership. In Australia, we have the Cooperative Incorporation Act as of 1985 or 84 I don't exactly remember but I was just wondering. I suppose SMF might have some legal troubles but it seems odd to me how a free forum could have any many liability claims against it, but I suppose everyone sues for anything these days. I guess in a Partnership or even a cooperative there would be so much less expense involved
Cooperatives are mainly for dealing with the benefit of the community and no real hierachy; but still, you can segment tasks, that's why I thought SMF would consider a Cooperative.
But this is all coming from an Australian perspective, I have no ides of how US law defines cooperatives (or even if they allow cooperatives to become incorporated) or companies. Does the US have Proprietory Limited (PTY LTD) and Limited (LTD) companies? Both are limited Liability structures.
Limited liability companies in America are quite different from Proprietary limited companies in Australia ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_liability_company
Nolo has a very nice overview of what an LLC is (http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/BAAE1B67-F54A-41B4-91943A51F56C3F79/111/182/245/)
Oh okay, so LLC is just like LTD. Same thing, I guess, except I suppose it is more like PTY LTD as you don't list on the Stock Exchange.
Well, there's an international business lesson learnt.
Quote from: Motoko-chan on April 21, 2007, 07:45:47 PM
A definite flame bait. Of 5 posts, two are comments about SMF going paid and nothing to back up the accusation.
If anyone has good, solid, verifiable evidence of this project going paid, feel free to bring it up, otherwise shut up with the conspiracy and rumors, they are getting very tiring.
I really hope this was not directed towards me, I have made over 100 posts, and I was only asking fair questions. Why is everyone thats a part of the team so rude to users?
it was directed at this post:
QuoteThis LLC is going to be the same as Invision Forum. SMF is free for now. SMF will go the exact way as Invision did. So don't be surprise.
i personally believe that rudeness does not deserve kindness but i don't go out of my way to be a jerk, either :P
Well if you've made over a hundred, and they said 'of 5 posts' I think we can safely assume it wasn't aimed at you.
Quote from: godboko on April 22, 2007, 05:42:44 PM
Quote from: Motoko-chan on April 21, 2007, 07:45:47 PM
A definite flame bait. Of 5 posts, two are comments about SMF going paid and nothing to back up the accusation.
If anyone has good, solid, verifiable evidence of this project going paid, feel free to bring it up, otherwise shut up with the conspiracy and rumors, they are getting very tiring.
I really hope this was not directed towards me, I have made over 100 posts, and I was only asking fair questions. Why is everyone thats a part of the team so rude to users?
I'm not rude to users, [or I would like to perceive myself as not being rude] I don't think the team is either. This topic has been brought up time and time again. [since the beginning of SMF over 3 years ago...] We have a topic News: Wondering if this will always be free? See why free is better. (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=16971.msg140624#msg140624) One would think this would satisfy any question and or reasonable doubt. But it isn't. We understand the community has questions and a right to know. We feel we've addressed the issue as clearly and concisely as possible on more than one occasion. Even though we've gone through great lengths to keep posts like "Why Free is better" (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=16971.msg140624#msg140624) in our
NEWS This question's comes up every 2-5 weeks. Don't believe me, do a search here. Look around online on the net. But here we are 3 years after conception, we are free today as we have always ever been.
So please forgive us if we tend to get a lil' defensive when this topic comes up for the umpteen time. But after so many times, this topic becomes some what of a bitter "lose-lose" situation for us. If we post a link to the last time the topic was brought up, it doesn't satisfy some people. If we link to the "Why Free is better (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=16971.msg140624#msg140624)" topic, people still aren't satisfied. And if we ignore it, we are perceived to be dodging the subject.
I guess you can't please all the people , all the time. With that said, you are free to think what you want, but I ask you to look @the facts, SMF was free from its 1st release, its free now, and the team maintains its stance that it will be free in the future. As for the team, let us focus on what we do best. Concentrating on making and maintaining the best Free Forum software on the net.
So one last time.
SMF is free and shall stay that way I hope that answers any questions that previous topics do not. :D
Quote from: godboko on April 22, 2007, 05:42:44 PM
Quote from: Motoko-chan on April 21, 2007, 07:45:47 PM
A definite flame bait. Of 5 posts, two are comments about SMF going paid and nothing to back up the accusation.
If anyone has good, solid, verifiable evidence of this project going paid, feel free to bring it up, otherwise shut up with the conspiracy and rumors, they are getting very tiring.
I really hope this was not directed towards me, I have made over 100 posts, and I was only asking fair questions. Why is everyone thats a part of the team so rude to users?
No, it was directed at ihostvps.com. Sorry if I seemed rude, but when it seems a user joins just to post rumors about SMF going non-free, it really irritates me. While I'm happy to answer questions, I will not be overly nice to someone who is being a troll.
congratulations! exciting news indeed!
Quote from: CountryLady on November 27, 2006, 05:56:57 PM
Congratulations to Simple Machines, LLC.
Many Thanks to Lewis Media, and the ENTIRE SMF Team for caretaking this brilliant forum software, and much appreciation to the SMF Support Team for their hard work and dedication.
Long Live SMF~! :)
(http://C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5Crieker%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20Pictures%5CSample.jpg)