IMP: With the release of version 1.3.5, Couch has become open-source and IonCube encryption has been removed. This thread is retained only for its archival value.
We have received emails and posts on our forum regarding how folks are finding it difficult to configure ioncube loaders.
Some have even criticized our 'claim to simplicity' when, to be fair, the complexity they mentioned had nothing to do with Couch per se but in getting ioncube installed.
I think we need to clarify our position on this subject-
We are a very small company and have barely started off. Heck, we have not even made our first commercial sale yet! (4th. Jan 2010, the day of writing this post)
As a tiny start-up we are obliged to protect our intellectual property which represents more than an year of our hard work.
We understand fully that encoded source code is a sticky subject for some and it does throw in that initial level of complexity that colors the user's view of our product. We have deliberated over this issue and opted to go with ioncube encoding knowing fully the consequences it could have - because it is a matter of survival for us. Our aim by using it is to issue valid licenses to users and hence ensure providing proper support to them.
We'd like our users to appreciate the fact that of the other existing players in the niche Couch caters to, we are the only ones to provide a full fledged downloadable version for users to try before committing to it. Also we are the only ones to offer free licenses to personal and non-commercial projects.
Having said that, we promise that as soon as we, hopefully, establish ourselves a little we'll do away with the encoding completely and open the source of Couch.
Thank you all for the support you have given us.
We have received emails and posts on our forum regarding how folks are finding it difficult to configure ioncube loaders.
Some have even criticized our 'claim to simplicity' when, to be fair, the complexity they mentioned had nothing to do with Couch per se but in getting ioncube installed.
I think we need to clarify our position on this subject-
We are a very small company and have barely started off. Heck, we have not even made our first commercial sale yet! (4th. Jan 2010, the day of writing this post)
As a tiny start-up we are obliged to protect our intellectual property which represents more than an year of our hard work.
We understand fully that encoded source code is a sticky subject for some and it does throw in that initial level of complexity that colors the user's view of our product. We have deliberated over this issue and opted to go with ioncube encoding knowing fully the consequences it could have - because it is a matter of survival for us. Our aim by using it is to issue valid licenses to users and hence ensure providing proper support to them.
We'd like our users to appreciate the fact that of the other existing players in the niche Couch caters to, we are the only ones to provide a full fledged downloadable version for users to try before committing to it. Also we are the only ones to offer free licenses to personal and non-commercial projects.
Having said that, we promise that as soon as we, hopefully, establish ourselves a little we'll do away with the encoding completely and open the source of Couch.
Thank you all for the support you have given us.