Re: Just wondering... EvilOgre.com

Steve wrote:
It's Soroka. And there are valid email addresses on the EvilOgre.com site. 

ACK.

Just to let you know: your trustworthiness isn't questioned right now.

Again, that was optional. Don't agree? Don't see benefit? Don't do it. I personally would love to see developers use my Encephalon components in their products and sell on EvilOgre.com. I think it benefits both parties. 

Mmmmmh... <thinking> I see what you mean.

Then we tell you how we want you to improve it and decide whether or not we want you to write for us. 

Fair enough.

We encourage OO code, easy to maintain (and hopefully read), use of Borland's source code style guide, proper thought put into error handling, and efficient code. We take all these things into consideration. 

Uhm... I like less the "Borland's source code style guide", but that's
mainly because I have my own(very simple...) style. But I'm sure we
will get over the issue somehow.
Everything else, I try to achieve on my own already :-)

We don't require exclusivity and will do so at your request. We will either keep your source on hand for the sole purpose of supporting our customers, 

The problem of "two solutions" I pointed out earlier...

or if you wish we can redirect support inquiries to you and remove your source from our personal source server if you plan to continue to sell and support the product elsewhere.

Ok, this was an important point to clarify. You know, a "safe exit" option is always something that makes you feel more comfortable for any
event.

re 3 days: as a customer, I don't think you'd want to wait 3 business days for a reply. We should aim for 2 or less. If you can't be contacted we'll try to help the customer and notify you regarding what did to help the customer. 

I see what you mean, however it can happen... we can arrange on this
however.

absolutely, I'd be the same way. 

Good to know.

The cost of us to provide the service to support it. We'd discuss this with you first if you are available. I don't have a cost figured out for this yet. 

I see, well, I was just asking because I think this can also be
helpful to others to figure out if EvilOgre is an option fit to them.
So far, I think it is for me.

It's optional to let other developers see your source. 

I see.

It's not optional to let Evil Ogre see your source. We will sign an NDA if asked. If this is not acceptable, I don't see how we can work together. 

Ok, that's fair.

Right, but we're not just a reseller. We want to brand the product as an 

Ah... I don't have a real problem with this - apart from an intellectual
property one. I would like to be clearly distinguished as the original
author, as long as your rebranding doesn't confuse the customers, I'm
fine with it. I would however like if you could tell me more about this.

Evil Ogre product. This is common in other industries, where the same factory could make products for two different companies and brand them seperately. As a consumer you're not privy to the information on who manufactured the product. (You know GAP is selling a product, but you don't know which manufacturer made it for them). 

Let's put it this way: as long as the About box says something
like: "Developed by Andrea Raimondi, brought to you by EvilOgre",
this isn't an issue.

I think, indeed, that a piece of software is quite different from a
hardware one, so the thing you say isn't very advantageous to
customers if something "happens" between us(EvilOgre and me)
because they could be confused.

And I guess focus is drawn on them from both of our sides.

We will register applications with generic software download sites, we will register components with sites specific to the languages it works in, we will advertise your product, if possible we will arrange companies to resell your EO products for a commission (originally we were planning to pay this, but by splitting the cost with you we can give you an extra 10% on non-commission sales). If you need, we can arrange for artwork for your program to be developed. 

Ok, all the points:

- The strategy looks good, I'm not very convinced about resellers
  really, but that might be just me.

- I'd like to know what you think of Google ADs, I'm just curious.

- The fact you can provide custom artwork is *very* cool. I'm
  worthless at graphics, that could be a huge plus.

- The idea of splitting costs in order to get higher percentages is
  interesting and could be a good move. I have to think better
  about it, but I'm generally positive.

Thanks. 

Just acknowledging what I beleive is by now clear to any
honest professional reading this thread :-)

One of the suggestions was a sliding pay scale, I'm discussing how we can do this with my partner now and I'll post here when I have the details 

I'm sure willing to be notified of any news. Feel free to send
notifications by email if there's anything worth notice.

finalized, but it sounds like it'll be a volume-based incentive (you make more than 30% based on sales volume), plus a guaranteed volume bonus for the first year regardless of actual volume to get you started. I'll post these numbers shortly.

I'm eagerly waiting, however looks good and I think we could surely arrange something along the way.

See last 3 replies, we're working on improving that for you. 

I'm sure that point can be compromised to the advantage of both.

The fact is we are a work in progress. There's only one empty link, and it's because I've recently removed a product because I wasn't happy with the sales or the quality. It'll be back up once I'm happier with it. 

Please, don't take that as a personal attack, because it wasn't.
It was more of a provocation :-) I hope you understand what I mean.
English is not my native tongue, thus sometimes misundertandings can
happen. Voiceless media, also, add another level of uncertainity.

Take your time. I appreciate the opportunity to reply to your concerns. 

It's something useful to both of us. You have the opportunity to
speak for your company, while perspective partners have a way to
make up their mind and choose for themselves.

I think it's a very important thing.

There's no doubt that you could promote your own product yourself. The 

Again, that's not meant as a personal attack, I'm just trying to
figure out things and understand what you "have more".

biggest benefit you get with us that you wont get alone is that you'll be listed right next to other great products that are already selling. When someone comes to see Encephalon components, they'll see yours too. 

This is indeed a great advantage, and I guess you also take the
responsibility of gathering the money and give me my share, right?
I hate financial stuff really much :-)
I know it's useful, but it's deadly boring :-)

Some scenarios where we're better off not partnering: You don't really have time to support your product (at least until we're ready to hire third party support), you are unwilling to show your source to us--even with an NDA, or you are unwilling or unable to provide finishing touches on your application such as: documentation/help, tutorials, demos, trials, etc. 

I see what you mean now. Thank you.

Again, thanks for asking. 

It's in the mutual best interest, I beleive.

Steven Soroka 

Andrew
.

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