Programmers License

[ErnieH]

One of the problems with LabVIEW is it is so different than other programming methods. Users spend a lot of time and resources learning to do things in it that does not enhance their careers outside of the environment. If I leave my company, I would like to still use LabVIEW for day to day things. If a company is not familiar with LabVIEW, it is doubtful they will pay the price just to increase my productivity.  To protect the investment in time and energy of the user community, I suggest they create a new license that protects the rights of the people that have made them a successful company. Plus it gives them the rights to enhance their income by legally freelancing. Plus, if you are hired somewhere else that does not have LabVIEW, you can legally show them how it can improve their business. If they are not interested, you can still use it for your own personal use. I think it is a win-win situation and helps the user’s career in the long run. It would also encourage users to keep their package up to date.  A rough draft of what this may look like follows.

Programmer License

-          For a onetime fee (or percentage of cost), registered users can purchase a new license to use the software package registered to them through their company for their use as a private person, including freelancer, contracting, etc outside of the company.

-          Package will have a separate serial number registered to the user and will be eligible for updates purchased for the parent license.

-          When the person leaves the company, they shall have the right to use the software as an independent person or contractor. If the person is hired by a company, they may use the software for personal projects but not for general distribution throughout the new company, unless the company purchases a new license. The rights to use as an independent contractor are still valid however. The personal version can then be linked to the new purchase, if desired.  Updates will not be provided when the person leaves the parent company.

-          User will have the right to use all versions up to the latest eligible version without any restrictions except the direct employment clause. If a person is employed temporarily, as contractor, etc, they retain the rights to use up to the latest version they were eligible for development.

-          Thanks you for using LabVIEW.

[SteveChandler]

Ok Ernie, I am kudoing this. I am not too sure it will be acceptable to NI exactly as written (but who am I?) although I do like the general idea.

I had to think about this one. What I came to was the realization that I was hesitating because I thought it would never be accepted by NI based on the declined idea that Altenbach posted. I then thought this was a rediculous reason for holding back.

Kudos!

[ErnieH]

Thanks. And please excuse my occasional sarcasm. I am basically harmless (but, don't tell my techs that!). The guys on this board who spend so much time helping others really do deserve a lot of appreciation. And who knows, maybe the users can drag NI, kicking and screaming, into opening it up as an offical programming language (see the note about sacasm).

[G-Money]

Would you say that this idea is a combination of the other two "Personal/Hobbyist/Lite" LabVIEW version ideas? I understand that all these ideas are different but I see them as bringing up the same conversation of how can more people use LabVIEW on their own time. Ideas so far seem to be a completely free version (maybe supported by ads or something else), a really cheap but limited version (no App Builder or maybe no hardware connectivity), some sort of licensing change to existing LabVIEW. I want these conversations to continue so we can figure out what people truly want. 

So instead of talking about this idea is different or why this one is better than other approaches, let's try and list out the bare essentials of what the community is looking for in a LabVIEW Personal Edition:

1) Serial number tied to them personally so they can continue using LabVIEW even if they lose their job

2) Community support only (unless someone pays for Standard Service Program?)

3) Ability to do productive things in LabVIEW (software only features? limited hardware and App Builder? FPGA, Real-Time Modules? Full features but similar splash screen on apps like Student Edition?)

4) Favorable price point (Free? $150? $1000?)

To me I see the debate among customers now as being what feastures/capabilities should be in a LabVIEW Personal Edition and what should be the price point. What do you think?

[ErnieH]

I see it as 2 different issues.

• If you want a hobby version. Start with LabVIEW 5.0.1 and freshen it up. As many of you know, this is the last version that did not require a runtime.  I brushed it off and created a little program with it and sent it to some of my fellow programmers here. It was refreshing to write a program, do a quick compile, and send an executable to them. They were impressed. For casual users, create something like that since the bulk of the controls underneath are the same. People either use it and love it or don't. But, keep it simple. No projects, etc. Program, build, enjoy. A few drivers. Serial (not VISA), Maybe TCP/IP. Did I mention keep it simple? Doesn't have to be free. Give them something usable, give them a trial, and let them decide.  There is nothing else on the market like this with the rich environment is provides. It really is unique.

• As for the serious users, we have invested a lot of time in the language, tools (real time, FPGA, etc.). It would take me a while to go back to the old ways to create these designs. Unfortunately, these techniques are only useable with LabVIEW and NI parts, which is a fairly limited market. Check the employment boards, Enter LabVIEW you may get several hundred nationwide. Enter C, C+, C# and you several hundred locally. So, you ask yourself, do I focus on this at and possibly hurt my future employability, with the penalty  of being less productive?  Or use different tools to keep my resume more up to date.

• As for price I would be willing to pay a percentage of the cost of the package I use daily to protect my investment in time and energy I have expended over the years.  I see it as:
• A separate license and number to the individual user.
• Pays a one time percentage of either their package or parts of it, if they have a lot of add-ons  they may not need for their use. Package would be as usable as the original.
• Package would be good for the latest updates purchased for the parent package.
• Gives them certain rights, such as legally being able to create and sell programs.
• The right to use the software as an individual contractor, temp, etc.
• Maybe a limited time license to use with a future employer to demonstrate what can be done. If they choose not to buy a license for you, I would still retain my rights as an individual programmer, just not for them. Would still be able to use for my personal productivity.

• Simply put, this would just be a protection for dedicated, serious programmers. They could focus on their craft with some comfort of knowing they would not have to change quickly if things changed in their employment situation.  Basically, makes them more marketable in the same local area, even if LabVIEW is not used extensively in that area of the country currently.

• I see little downside.  If they buy the programmer license, most likely it will gather dust and may not be used for years, if ever. If the user leaves his company and still has a license to use LabVIEW, perhaps as a contractor while they are between jobs, they will most likely use NI equipment, especially if they used the real time and FPGA tools. If they don't have a license to use LabVIEW, being downsized is usually not the best time to invest a large sum of money to pick up a few side jobs. Finding a job where you use LabVIEW won't be your highest priority.

• Another real advantage, people will stop posting these ideas on the idea board. That alone has to be worth something.

[vitoi]

How about a loyalty program. For every year that you have a company license for LabVIEW and you're on the SPP you get a credit of 10% towards the purchase of your very own LabVIEW license. After 10 years of the company license you get a free copy of LabVIEW. A bit like frequent flyer points.