I am in need of a little advice. As you all might know by now, I have a vacation planning and program called Mouse Manager, that works for both DVC and non-DVC owners.
I now have about 1,400 registered users. Mouse Manager is free. My premise has always been that contributions to supporting it financially would be voluntary.
And people have supported it. The web hosting company costs for the associated web site with dining menus and reviews, was paid for by the donations.
But to be honest, out of the 1,400 registered users, about 5 have help out financially.
I am now facing a financial dilemma.
The software that Mouse Manager is built with has just released an update, one which I could really use. The update costs, $299. I am now out of contributed funds that I use to pay the web host. The web costs come to about $200 a year.
I would like to start working on version 2.0 for Mouse Manager and include often requested features for expanded vacation planning, cruise vacation planning and other features.
I would really want to build it using the latest version of the software.
For me to keep going would require at least $500, and perhaps I'm being ornery, but what with Sukie's medical bills, I don't feel like paying it out of my pocket.
So, what I'm wondering is, whether I should send out an email to the 1,400 registered users with a request to contribute to support the continuation of Mouse Manager? Not a threat, just an honest plea for support.
I have not to date, over the 18 months that Mouse Manager has been available made such a plea, but I don't see how it can go on without it. I'm also rather uncomfortable doing it, because it comes down to the equivalent of sitting on the street and begging. So, I am torn between financial reality and pride.
I'm looking for some input, which as always is greatly appreciated.