Movable Type 3.0 “Developer Edition” released
Found on Stupid Evil Bastard.
Six Apart has released Movable Type 3.0 Developer’s Edition. I assume it’s called Developer’s Edition to note that it’s not really a feature release, despite the fact that they are calling it 3.0, vice 2.7 or 2.662 or some such. Les has had the scoop on it for weeks, as he was a beta tester for 3.0. There really wasn’t a whole lot new with 3.0 – now, however, there is… a less restrictive license that is more costly. Your choices are:
1. Free: Just that, free. One author, three blogs, no commercial usage, no “official” support, no “paid” installation (They used to install MT for you for $20 if you were technically timid – a good thing for a LOT of people). And while I haven’t quite found the official documentation, it looks like TypeKey is required – meaning you’re required to register to make comments on the blog. Observers point out that this could be the thing to move users to TypePad – Six Apart’s MT-powered bloghosting company – it’s cheaper, and (so far) you can set up unlimited blogs and authors with one account.
2. Personal: $100 (on sale now for $70). The license is time-limited, though I haven’t found the definition – I assume “until the next Major Release.” 3 authors, 5 weblogs.
3. Personal, Volume License I: 6 Authors, 8 Blogs, $150 (on sale for $120).
4. Personal, Volume License II: 9 Blogs, 10 Authors, $ $190 (on sale for $150).
5. Commercial: $300 (on sale now for $200). 5 Authors and 5 Blogs.
6. And the last level, also called “Commercial”: $700 (on sale now for $600): 20 Authors, 15 Weblogs.
I’m not quite sure what the 1st level of “Commercial” gets you other than the ability to sell stuff… other than that, it looks like options 3 and 4 beat 5 by a mile.
Options 2 through 6 net you the following:
* Download for Movable Type 3.0 Developer Edition and Movable Type 2.661
* Professional support from Six Apart
* Ability to promote your site on the Movable Type “Recently Updated” list
* Generous limits on weblogs and authors
* Application updates and fixes (not including major upgrades)
* A guaranteed path to future versions
* Access to fee-based services such as installation, advanced support, other servicesNone of these benefits are available to users of the free Movable Type license
Emphasis mine.
Aside from the “Recently Updated” list, I REALLY am not losing much, right now. I don’t like the “Application Updates and Fixes” and the “Guaranteed path to future versions” blurbs, though… they give me the willies. And all it’ll take is a security flaw in 2.661, with the only fix being to upgrade, and I’m stuck… typekey and all.
Mena attempts a positive spin:
One final thing. You’ll notice that we’re no longer describing Movable Type as a “Personal Publishing System” — we now call it a “Publishing Platform.” While “personal” remains a major component to weblogging, the medium continues to evolve and so must the tools. We feel that offering Movable Type as a platform will embrace the new uses of weblogs that we have yet to imagine.
Well, there goes little old me. Yes, I switched a month ago, and no, this pricing scheme was not the catalyst. Up until today, we were told that this was not the fabled “MT Pro” release that would actually require a fee. I switched, as you recall, because I liked what I saw in playing with WordPress, and told you all that I’d reevaluate when 3.0 was released.
I decided, sight unseen, based on the website’s pricing scheme. I could use my donation money to reduce the price of the “Personal” to something really small, but why?
I’m not smugly trumpeting my decision to switch, either. In no way do I wish ill on Ben and Mena Trott. They put out a great piece of software. I think that they’re misguided in their pricing, especially for a release that has so few new features, and “features” required in the free version that should be optional for bloggers. It’s also quite steep, for some of the blog authors I read regularly.
I don’t see myself looking back. Never say never, but say “Probably not.”
[edit] Looks like WordPress noticed. 
“Generous limits on weblogs and authors” Uhm, NO. That’s not very generous at all! At one time, I ran a blog with 20 authors. I would have never paid $700 for it.
The most positive thing to come from all of this? Positive PR for WordPress. I helped name it, you know.
(Now I guess I need to start using it too!)
I abandoned MT in favor of WP a while ago. In light of the new pricing, I plan to donate what I might have paid for MT3 to WordPress to further the development of this elegant program. Take THAT, MT. Oh, and…
You go, WP!