darkknightkjm wrote: ↑Thu Aug 07, 2025 3:07 pm
The thing is, none of us really know anything about why the beta key hasn't been updated, why Mike or a moderator hasn't posted any answers to this, or why the permanent keys aren't being issued after purchase recently after July 31 2025.
Sadly, that leads to a lot of confusion, anger, conjecture and speculation.
Since this program has been around a looooong time, and for FREE, I really doubt Mike is doing something wrong here.
Sounds like a lot of people use the program in the free beta mode, and they just update the beta key monthly or bi-monthly, whenever Mike has updated it. Those that bought lifetime keys paid a reasonable price for it - between 50 and 60 bucks. Mike likely isn't a millionaire off of sales like that. And he has upgraded the software from time to time, fixing bugs, etc. And kept it free in beta mode.
The problem has occurred just recently in the month of August 2025, and we are only 7 days into that month. Yes, there are problems with people buying keys in August 2025, but the company who is receiving the money for those keys is issuing refunds, since they can't get the purchasers lifetime keys. So Mike isn't collecting money and absconding with it. It appears that no one is out any money who recently purchased the lifetime keys.
So it is doubtful that Mike is doing something shady here.
My thought - something might be physically wrong with Mike. Could have had an accident, insured, sick, incapacitated. He last updated the beta key 2 months ago, so he was clearly still interested in this software 2 months ago. Whatever the reason - it's recent.
The GOOD news - people who purchased lifetime keys before August 1 2025 can use the program. Those who purchased lifetime keys after July 31 2025 and did not get them are being issued refunds. And the rest of us, who have been using the program for free...well, we have to just backdate our system to a date before August 1 2025, and we too can continue using the program for free.
Backdating is a bit of a pain, but it works. And I found that once I open the program, I can change the date back to the correct current date and the program still works. It apparently only checks the date when you first open the program.
So change the date to before August 1 2025, open the program, and then change the date back to the current date, and keep the program open all the time and you don't have to think about it.
Sending good wishes to Mike - hoping all is well and he is safe and sound and healthy. He's given us a great free program that we've all enjoyed, and has kept it up and running for free for many, many years. We all owe him at least great big THANK YOU for that.