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Doesn't the GPL require you to make your work freely available? by 2

The GPL does not require publication of work. In the event that GPL code is shared or sold, it is required to include the source code. Since PHP is not a compiled language, if you have the application or component, you already have the source code. Understand that MirageLab does NOT sell software LICENSES. That WOULD violate the GPL. Once you have a copy of the application or component, you are within rights to do anything the GPL allows you to do with it.

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Don't you feel that you should give back to the Open Source community instead of charging them? by 2

MirageLab contributes quite a bit of code to the Open Source community without fee, actually. Many collaborative efforts have been contributed too that are in various states of development, including the PostNuke core itself, the Xaraya core, and all sorts of tweaks that go into re-mastering existing third party modules. The code that MirageLab charges for is original work. No third party is responsible for the time and effort put into our work. As such, and after thousands of hours of development, we feel that our work would be worth paying for (it was, after all, developed for ourselves in most cases). Because of that, we also feel that our work is worth charging for. As a courtesy to the Open Source community, MirageLab does not charge enterprise licensing for usage. The vast majority of enterprise bloat-ware available costs a staggering amount to license. This is because it is almost all proprietary. Our work is Open Source and is incredibly easy to integrate with other applications due to API compliance. We keep our fees reasonably low so that some of the work that was put into our applications can be recouped. This is what we do, and it has to pay for itself if we want to continue providing the same high quality of software that makes us stand out from the pack.

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How can you call your applications Open Source GPL and then charge those in the community for being able to access them? by 2

Because the application is not encrypted, and we sell access to the applications, not licenses to run them. Since our applications are Open Source GPL, you are free to make any changes you wish, so long as the GPL remains. You are also legally allowed to redistribute our applications for free or for a fee, just like we do. However, MirageLab WILL terminate any subscriptions that are found to be openly redistributing unmodified versions of our software, especially if they are rebranded. We take pride in our work, and would take such activity as a professional insult. On the other hand, USE of our applications is unrestricted. Other webmasters are freely allowed to make use of downloaded software on their own and their client's sites. MirageLab showcases available examples of our work in use, and encourages those who use our software to submit links so that others can see examples of deployment (and also to assist those sites with search engine placement).

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How much does it cost to develop a custom PostNuke module? by 2

A basic API compliant module consists of seven PHP files, each containing 3-6 functions of 1-300 lines each. Without any advanced functionality (such as sequencing, status, parent data, child data, or hierarchical organization) such a module would run approximately $200. Each additional feature, such as those listed above, would cost anywhere from $100-$400 each, depending on complexity. A commercial grade application, with all the bells and whistles, typically runs from $1500-$8000.

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How much should I expect to pay for a website? by 2

The typical website Service Contract offered by MirageLab costs around $1000 annually, with fees for requested upgrades running around $500. In contrast, the cost of employing an in-house developer starts around $25k and peaks around $75k. Even with custom theme-work for a site billed by the designer at $500-$2500, the total annual site cost (approx. $2500) is less than 10% of a full-time developers salary.

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I am a web designer that would like to provide dynamic content management to my clients. Does MirageLab offer support for affiliates or resellers? by 2

MirageLab has several custom affiliate applications in production to begin supporting web designers who do not wish to get their hands dirty with code. To this end, we welcome several different types of partner: Web Designers: for those who wish to create custom themes and control the layout of the site for their clients. Marketing Affiliates: for those who just want to get paid for referring business. Contractors: for those with client in need of custom applications or tweaks to existing ones.

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I purchased a copy of [labmodulename] and a newer version has since been released. How do I get a copy of the newer version? by 2

If you purchased a subscription to the site in order to download the previous module version, and your subscription is still active, you may download the newer version simply by clicking the download link for it. If you purchased the module independent of a subscription, you once again have the option of purchasing the new version of the module, or purchasing a site subscription. Purchasing a module does not provide access to future versions of the module. That is what a subscription is for. There are no discounts off subscription or purchase price for previous module purchases.

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If I purchase a subscription, will it automatically re-bill me at the end of the subscription period? by 2

Yes. It works just like a magazine subscription, but without the hardcopy or the wait on snailmail. In the future, we will be looking into options for providing self-terminating subscriptions that inform subscribers when the subscription period is almost over, and provide an option to re-subscribe, but ultimately allowing the subscription to terminate at the end of the term.

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If you don't sell licenses for your software, what exactly is it that customers are purchasing? by 2

The fee charged for downloading privately developed modules on MirageLab is a convenience fee that is intended to recoup the cost in time for development. Purchasing a module gives you access to it and the ability to do what you want with or to it. Purchase of software does not come with any guarantees. If your site has made custom changes that interfere with a purchased module, it is your own responsibility to hack the fix. MirageLab offers contracted module development and site management to clients with active Service Contracts. If you need help, we are usually willing and able to provide it. If you need extensive assistance, however, we will provide an estimate and expected budget for fixes.

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Please tell me how can i download labdossier?! I browsed the entire site and everytime when i want to download labdossier it takes me to the homepage. by 1493

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The price has gone up on [modulename], why? by 2

As our applications grow to incorporate richer features, the cost of the applications will increase accordingly. The $5 version of a module will tend to be rather basic, like the Poetry module, for example. If we added features for publication status, poem ordering, categorization, a hit counter, and a ratings component, we would probably charge $25. If we made the same code run across PostNuke, phpNuke, and Xaraya, we may further increase it to $35. With custom poet page templates, poet profiles, RSS publication, a search API, pagination, and a range of blocks, the price could increase to $50. An example at the other end of the spectrum would be xTasks. The initial cost of the module is expected to be around $15, since many of the more advanced features are still quite beta. After we incorporate task dependencies, critical path mapping, and temporary task buckets, the cost of xTasks will be about $75, increasing as functionality is completed. The final version of xTasks, suitable as a replacement for MS Project, and including extended resource management, will most likely available for $2-500. The old adage of getting what you pay for is what we use to price our components. If you have to pay more for a module than you did previously, it is because the module does more than it did previously. If you only paid $10 or $15 for the application, it is expected that sometimes advanced pieces of functionality are not yet out of beta. If you wish to purchase the current as well as any future versions of a module, we recommend a subscription. With a subscription, as new releases are completed, they are automatically available to subscribers. Purchasing the current version of a module only provides access to that version. Future versions must be purchases separately without a subscription.

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What does it mean when a product indicates access to a series or version? by 2

Product releases are made based on product version. For example, purchase of the initial module series, v1, provides access to all updates in that version range. Major version releases, when v1 goes to v2, are meant to convey a substantial increase in functionality. If a new major version is released, it would have to be purchases separately if the user did not have a site subscription. Any time that there is a fix release, v1 to v1.1 to v1.2, it will replace the existing release in the product download area. When a new release is available, simple go back to where you downloaded it before and get it again. Module regeneration to check for initialization changes is recommended for any release, fix or major.

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What prevents me from providing copies of the subscription downloads on my own site for free? by 2

Nothing. But it would make us very cross with you. We would be forced to cancel your subscription. You would have to subscribe again in order to get the next version we release! Ha!

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Who is MirageLab? by 2

Susan is the business manager. Chad is the founding member, CIO, and lead developer. The dwarf handles the door. We write the code...

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Why can't I download some of the modules on this site?

MirageLab Beta releases are available to paid subscribers only. All are intended for eventual release as full commercial modules/applications, at which time each will have to be purchased independently. A subscription allows open access to these applications before they are completed.

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Why do I have to register as a user on MirageLab.com in order to download third party modules? by 2

MirageLab provides a module library to it's users. This feature, including either links or mirror copies of recommended third party modules, is not generally available to casual anonymous visitors. In the future, links to the published downloads of third party authors will provided to registered users, and mirror copies of the same downloads will be provided to premium subscribers.

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