Donation Version

Posts: 3 · kbhola 4 Mar 2022, 05:20

Hello,

In October I donated to get a copy of FFS with PFC. I had to unexpectedly format and lost the install copy. I kept the email with the download link, but it doesn't seem to be valid anymore. Can I no longer download the donation version at all because the update interval has passed?

Thanks.

Posts: 4882 · xCSxXenon 6 Mar 2022, 15:28

That is correct.

Posts: 3 · kbhola 6 Mar 2022, 23:59

Ok thanks. This is disappointing and really should be spelled out on the donation page and in the email. It's not like I don't have a ton of storage but had no idea the email download link would be invalid as well as the website, especially when it's advertised as you having access to the product forever.

Posts: 7507 · Zenju 7 Mar 2022, 08:52

You can then download the Donation Edition and save it for a later installation at any time because it has an unlimited usage duration.
https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition

Should be pretty clear, no?

PS: The reason it's not possible to download older Donation Edition versions is mostly a technical issue: The implemenation details change over time, so offering to download older versions would be a long-term maintenance burden (with only a minor upside for donors who didn't backup their installers).

Posts: 4882 · xCSxXenon 7 Mar 2022, 15:11

Yep, it's spelled out exactly how it works.

Posts: 3 · kbhola 7 Mar 2022, 19:35

Should be pretty clear, no?

PS: The reason it's not possible to download older Donation Edition versions is mostly a technical issue: The implemenation details change over time, so offering to download older versions would be a long-term maintenance burden (with only a minor upside for donors who didn't backup their installers). Zenju, 07 Mar 2022, 08:52

No, I don't think so. After you understand how it works, sure, you can see where the single line "The download page and auto-updater will remain active for some time..." suggests that the download page will go inactive. However, for a new user coming in and looking at this, there is no explicit mention that a lost installer would be lost forever after this period. It's also not mentioned anywhere on the download page.

I would suggest that it's made clear (as in "You will not be able to download the Donation version after the update interval" or something similar) on the FAQ page and also on the download page (like "Download link will expire in:...") where it already shows the update expiry but makes no mention of being unable to download the software again.

There's no issue with not hosting the old versions OR expiring download links as long as it's made clear. This is what the download page, which everyone will see when they go to use the link looks like:

https://imgur.com/a/5bBTDSZ

You can see there's no mention of the download link expiring or being forever unavailable on there.

I have no issue paying the relatively small amount for a niche product that I find useful and I went ahead and donated again (min. amt) so I could redownload the software but the messaging definitely needs to be clearer.

Posts: 4882 · xCSxXenon 7 Mar 2022, 20:50

I guess I very slightly agree, but that page is also missing any reference to older versions. That, to me, implies that they aren't maintained or hosted in any capacity.

Posts: 3 · flash 14 Mar 2022, 17:21

Dear Sir or Madam,
I donated to get a copy of FFS within windows 10. I have the install copy but changed the OS from Wdindows 10 to Linux. I kept the email with the download link, too and the files it contained. Do i have to donate again?

Yours Sincerely,
flash

Posts: 4882 · xCSxXenon 14 Mar 2022, 18:24

No, the download page has all versions

Posts: 3 · flash 14 Mar 2022, 21:37

And how do i get the version with the auto-download an install as i used under windows 10 again? Is it possible (how) to use the .key file from the E-Mail with the .exe file under windows now in the linux Version of ffs?

Posts: 4882 · xCSxXenon 14 Mar 2022, 22:27

Is your donation period expired?
When you download the Linux version and unzip it, it contains the .run and .key files.

Posts: 3 · flash 22 Mar 2022, 16:00

Now i see, the link in the E-Mail had to be pushed again. That leads to the website where the download for all OS can be started again and contains the right installer and .key file.

I bought on 2021-12-08 and recieve updates until
2022-006

I also marked the windows OS insallation as trash. So i can install the programm on 3 OS i choose, from now on.

Thank you for helping out!