ActiveX Fees?

[GenSpoo]

Could someone explain the fees associated with developing and/or using apps that use the ActiveX control? What is the $195 setup fee for? Who needs the $20/mo developer entightlement and who needs the $0/mo ActiveX user entightlment? Does someone that pays the $195 + $20/mo get developer support while the $0/mo ActiveX user entightlment doesn't?

[JayF]

GenSpoo,

Here's an excerpt from this FAQ:

The ActiveX Development Kit (one-time fee) and the ActiveX Development Service (monthly fee) are intended for individual users who wish to development applications for their own personal use...

Any ActiveX developer needs to pay the $195 setup fee and $20/mo. in order to have access to data for their application. The ActiveX User Entitlement ($0/mo.) is for those that are using an eSignal Certified ActiveX application.

Please visit our ActiveX Page for further information.

[GenSpoo]

Oh yeah, and what is an eSignal Certified Application? And how much does it cost us to get our apps certified?

[JayF]

The monthly developer entitlement allows data to flow into his/her own application (non-certified). Once an application is certified, then an end-user need only add the ActiveX entitlement ($0/mo.)

There is a cost for certifying an application, however it varies on the circumstances. If anyone is interested in certifying their application, I would suggest sending an email to [email protected].

[GenSpoo]

Thanks Jay. I understand the differences now. Although, I don't understand why there should be a difference.

Esignal is providing the ActiveX control for non-professional developers as opposed to the Turbo Feed for professional developers. So why is there a $195 developer fee on top of a $20 month continuous fee to receive data we are already getting? It sounds like you are targetting the ActiveX control as a semi-professional developer product.

IMHO, we should not have to pay a second fee to get data we are already getting. And, we certainly shouldn't be required to pay a $195 setup fee on top of that. And, another fee on top of that if we want to share our app with others (i.e. get it "certified").

IF you really want to charge for this, I would say the "reasonable" thing would be to charge EITHER a one-time $99 setup fee OR a $10/mo ActiveX usage fee. And, there should not be such a thing as an "eSignal Certified ActiveX" application since Turbo Feed is your professional product and ActiveX is your end user product (for us little guys that expirement with our own custom apps).

[JayF]

Appreciate the feedback. I'll pass it along to the ActiveX team.

[tmo]

I'm an esignal customer, but I've started to use mytrack API in the last few months (simply because esignal didn't have one at that time). Mytrack charges $20/mo+$15 (emini) for their real-time data and $25/mo for API which is developed by a third-party company. I didn't switch to Mytrack because I really like esignal's charting features and I think esignal data is a little faster than Mytrack (I haven't measured it yet because of the high activation fee of $195). I've been waiting for 7.4, with the intention of cancelling mytrack once I'm setup with esignal's ActiveX.

As GenSpoo has suggested, it would be great if the charges would be one or the other (and lower than the original pricing). Also, there should be a 30-day trial period like other options (mytrack offers 30-day for the API too).

I think a lot of current esignal users (plus some from competitions) will jump in if the pricing is much lower.

[JayF]

Just to clarify a bit further, here's a breakdown of the two types of targeted ActiveX audiences.

1) Individual Developer

The individual user needs to select the "eSignal Desktop API with ActiveX Technology". As stated this service requires a $195 start up fee to access the ActiveX controls within eSignal plus an ongoing fee of $20 per month. The individual does not need to be certified since he will be using the application for individual use. Additionally, their application can be shared with other users, however in order to use the non-certified application the end-user will need to also sign-up for the "eSignal Desktop API with ActiveX Technology" service.

2) Commercial Developer

The commercial developer must also sign up for the "eSignal Desktop API with ActiveX Technology" service. Although this can be done through the web, we are encouraging developers to go through an eSignal representative by sending email to [email protected]. This will allow us to discuss with the developer the eSignal Desktop API, the process for certification and all fees.

Certification is a process that is required of all commercial developers that develop an application that they want to sell or distribute to end users. eSignal users who have purchased the certified application, can then add the "Third Party ActiveX User Access" service to their account which allows the user to receive data into the third party application at no additional charge.

[GenSpoo]

Isn't Turbo Feed for commercial developers?

I still think eSignal is trying to milk us dry. What is the need for having us pay a one time $200 fee just to start using the ActiveX control? Where is the reasoning? I was going to sign up immediately, expecting a $10-$20 monthly fee for private developer usage, but this $200 fee has me balking. If I had plans to sell my application and therefore thought I had a means to recoup the money, well then maybe I'd pay the $200 fee.

IMHO, the $200 fee, if it absolutely has to exist, should only be for commercial developers selling their apps.

Also, what is the current plan, if for the sake of argument, I close my eSignal account after having paid the $200 fee and then six months later decide to come back to eSignal? Do I have to pay the fee yet again?

[ScottJ]

tmo and GenSpoo,

We had a handful of users beta test the Active-X controls and as a reward for helping, we waived the $195 fee for those that actively participated. From a community standpoint, I'd be willing to let a few more people try out the tools in hopes they can, in return, contribute their knowledge and experiences back to these forums.

If you feel you're pretty comfortable with Active-X and would be willing to actively particpate in these forums, I'd certainly be willing to waive the set-up fee for a few more users ( and maybe even the ongoing fees for super helpful users )

Before you consider that invitation, please review the latest Active-X documentation we've put together so you're comfortable using this technology from the start.

If this offer sounds intriguing please email directly at [email protected]

Thanks.

[GenSpoo]

That activation fee is also a hinderance to anyone that is considering releasing an open source application utilizing the ActiveX control. Not only to the author, but more so to the potential users of the application (and the potential new eSignal subscribers you gain from it). If the new users are forced to shell out an additional $200 (ok, $195) just to use the app...

[cashmein]

I paid the $195 and the $20/month.

$20/month ... ok ( I guess).

$195 ... Sounds like a rip-off (sorry). I guess if one were to recieve a really cool documentation set with LOTS of real cool professional samples (not criticizing existing samples here) then MAYBE it might be worth some $$.

So why the heck did I pay $195. First ONLY because I had enough money to spend and second because I THINK I might have a really cool idea to utilize the interface.

So ... Why not just charge a SMALL monthly fee because for every idiot like me that can afford the $195 there are propably 100 smart people that can afford an extra $10 or $20 per month. So one idiot equals 100 smart people or $195 = 100 x $20.

Unless there are REAL costs here then you may want to seriously reconsider keeping the signup fee in effect.

[cashmein]

Oh ... Sorry I forgot.

Thank you very much for making the ActiveX control. It is a very cool idea that many people will be able to use. It fills the void between the restricted (commercial only) Turbo Feed product and the data that private use developers need for their own applications.

Thanks for all your hard work, it is most apprciated!

[bigbrother]

Expensive setup fee

I think also that eSignal should have a lower setup fee, unless that eSignal would limit the interest of the programmers about this exciting feature. Maybe you could put a 50$ as the other setup fee products you have (Level II, ensign, etc...) and charge 25$/month for to blance!

[Duster]

Or how about an early sign-up special like $95 for the next 60 days?