SmartLaunch email

[johnlarson]

Important update (please read carefully) - crucial information for your continued use of Smartlaunch Software 


Dear Valued Customer,
 
Recently, Adcore ApS acquired the assets of Smartlaunch A/S and is now proud to offer continued service of the Smartlaunch software to you. Regrettably, Smartlaunch A/S closed down, ceased all operations and will not perform work or provide services under any of its old contracts.  We, at Adcore, apologise for any inconvenience this causes. Unfortunately, the situation allowed for no other option. 
 
Adcore is proud to offer Smartlaunch customers continued service going forward
The original founders of Smartlaunch software, Michael and Kasper, have had no involvement with the company for the last few years. When we heard about the situation with Smartlaunch we decided to buy out the software and establish a new company. Our plan is to improve operations, customer service, and continue to service Smartlaunch customers with powerful software solutions in the years to come. 
 
New terms of service to Smartlaunch’s former customers
In order to support the large existing customer base we must implement a new subscription model for all of Smartlaunch’s former customers who bought the software before the 1st of January 2011:
The fee structure for the new subscription model can be viewed here and, of course, we urge you to contact us with any questions.
http://www.smartlaunch.com/pricing
                           
The new subscription model offers the benefits of:
The highest level of FREE customer support
Automatic upgrade to new versions of the Smartlaunch software when released
How can I continue using Smartlaunch?
You must sign up and pay before the January 31, 2012.
 
For customers who bought Smartlaunch after January 1, 2011.
These customers will be able to continue with their existing license until the 1st of April 2012. After this date these customers can convert to the subscription model as well.
 
20% discount for existing customers
As an existing Smartlaunch customers you get a 20% discount if you if subscribe before the 20th of January. Simply use the discount code “5402326” when you complete the check-out process.
We sincerely hope that you will continue to choose Smartlaunch going forward and we are committed to improve the software and service to make this a value adding tool for your business.
 
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Sincerely,
 
The Smartlaunch Team
Copyright © 2012 Adcore ApS, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website www.smartlaunch.com
Our mailing address is:
Adcore ApS
Kristen Bernikowsgade 6
Copenhagen K 1105

[Alomax]

Yea just saw that hit my inbox about 20 times from all the registrations we've done over the years :p

STILL no word on the reseller program, or on that mysterious 'discounted' version with less features.

[RsteeleAUG]

We aren't paying a monthly fee for something we have already purchased. It just isn't going to happen. We'll figure something else out. I guess we have about 25 days to do so but these guys are a joke. Can't wait to see how their new monthly charge plan works out.

[johnlarson]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smartlaunch-Bought-and-paid-for/203710266386888?sk=wall

[RsteeleAUG]

So I go to Yahoo or Google and type in Internet Cafe Management Software...and the results come back some free, some paid, some look professional, some do not.

So my next question is WHAT THE HELL? how do we pick one to use, it's going to create a small NIGHTMARE here. We'll virtually lose the PC's while learning/installing any new software, rewriting all of the paths to launch the games, then having to test it to make sure it all works.

Smartlaunch has screwed the pooch on this one and while they were at it they screwed us too. Not sure what our licenses cost but I know it wasn't cheap and now we're off to find another solution because of them. I don't care about patches or bugs or what it can or can't do. We didn't have any real KILLER issues with the version we were using. 4.1.362 and didn't need anything else changed or done to it. The PC's worked for what they were used for and SL screwed us...

Where do we go from here which software will be the one we use....how do I even start...Download something test it out if it looks like garbage delete it and try the next one I guess? Man this bites.

[RsteeleAUG]

 We need a copy of the terms of service agreement from the purchase of license/licenses to figure out the legality of them changing gears on us like this.

[Alomax]

Nice one John, saw that pop up on my FB a little while ago

Their defense is that the company that you purchased from is now defunct, and so all agreements are now null, so they're free to charge you now. Which is really sneaky and backhanded, but there you go.

I'm talking to Gordo right now, he's filling me in on the plans to launch his software into the public space. I've previewed it a bit and it's pretty slick. I'm going to get the chance to get hands-on with it soon and hopefully it'll get rolled ASAP.

[Alomax]

PS - I friended Michael Bodaeker on FB and posted that page on his wall :p

[RsteeleAUG]

What about all the "FREE" soft ware that is out there?

http://www.handycafe.com/features.php For just one example.

Granted it isn't feature heavy and doesn't appear the have the license management (which is really what I'd rather have. I guess if need be we can just keep the PC's memorizing the PW/user names for steam accounts then locking the customer out of anything they might be able to mess with system wise.

This is disappointing and not how I wanted to start off 2012.  However it's a dog eat dog world and not the first time we've ran across a huge problem. We'll adapt, adjust, and overcome as usual.

[Gord]

We need a copy of the terms of service agreement from the purchase of license/licenses to figure out the legality of them changing gears on us like this.

A repost of what I posted on the Facebook page:

There are two options. First, argue under the DMCA that you are lawfully permitted to crack the software as they turning off the authorization server which is essentially a dongle. To quote Wikipedia: Computer programs protected by dongles that prevent access due to malfunction or damage and which are obsolete. A dongle shall be considered obsolete if it is no longer manufactured or if a replacement or repair is no longer reasonably available in the commercial marketplace. (A renewed exemption from 2006, based on a similar exemption approved in 2003.)

The other option, buy my shoddy LAN center software. Hoe-Ree-Cow, it works.

End repost.

[Alomax]

doesn't appear the have the license management 

Of all the features SL has, that's probably the most critical, IMO.  If we didn't need that, any cafe could be run with egg timers and GPOs.

[Gord]

So my next question is WHAT THE HELL? how do we pick one to use, it's going to create a small NIGHTMARE here. We'll virtually lose the PC's while learning/installing any new software, rewriting all of the paths to launch the games, then having to test it to make sure it all works.

If you run with my shoddy software, it builds most of the batch scripts for you.  Or just copy/paste your own scripts in if you really want.
 
Assuming you don't have an unreasonable number of games, you could port over the entire library, scripts, and licenses within a day to the new system.  And the new system handles game distribution so it would automatically install new games and updates.  No longer is the storage capacity of the hard drive your enemy.

[RsteeleAUG]

Gord:

First...HOW MUCH...

and second I've never been very computer literate I can find/type in the paths and arguments needed to run games through smartlaunch however scripts and other more techy things aren't in my skill set. So If I have to I can run with one of these "free" options and just lock the customer out of anything they don't need to be in from the Windows side of things.

I have a feeling there will be 100's of centers scrambling for solutions in the next few weeks...already emailed smartlaunch and asked them what this "discount" is going to be. We only have 10 PC's so we aren't in the same situation as someone with a whole store of PC's. I'm looking for the fast and best for the money type fix. Considering the money we might as well have already lost due to Smartlaunch's outstanding d**khead move.

[RsteeleAUG]

Pulled this from SmartLaunch's facebook. I really liked the very last comment they got.

Smartlaunch
Hi Gamers, we're looking for cool gaming centers/cyber cafes.
Which gaming centers do you play at or know about?
Like · · Share · October 11, 2011 at 2:38am ·

        Smartlaunch Please also share link to their website if you have it.
        October 11, 2011 at 2:38am · Like
        Tristan Bellotti The Crave
        http://craveak.com/
        October 11, 2011 at 2:45am · Like · 2
        Sean K Johnson ?Timbuktu Edutainment Center
        October 11, 2011 at 3:14pm · Like
        Sean K Johnson www.timbuktuedutainmentcenter.com
        Expand Preview
        October 11, 2011 at 3:14pm · Like · 2
        Choyon Hassan i'm from bangladesh and i have a gaming cafe. I need smartlaunch server with 10 licenses. Pls help me.
        November 12, 2011 at 1:16pm · Like
        Choyon Hassan u guyz suck ur cock. I've got another management software
        November 16, 2011 at 2:39pm · Like

[johnlarson]

Here is my last support ticket to SmartLaunch:

Subject: Continue use of SmartLaunch   
 
I am going to attempt one my time an attempt to negotiate a better rate. I have three separate LAN Centers with a total of 170 licenses. We purchased SmartLaunch and are pleased with it. I do think ver. 4.5 has a few issues compared to 4.1.385, but that is not the point of my email.

I will not be signing up to pay $2.40 per license per month. While the discount was a nice jester, it is too much. Without SL, I will either run CCP or an older "cracked" version of SL (put out by the former company). I do not like my choices as both of them will require work out of me, my current data base is not compatible with either option.

We have been open since 2009 and have grown from one center to three centers and we have plans to open a fourth. While many centers come and go, our centers will continue to grow. The LAN center is just a small part of what our centers offer. We do not rely on the profits of the LAN center and as such, the LAN center has a very limited budget as it takes time to get a return on the original equipment and software purchases.

I would like to keep SmartLaunch at the rate of $1 per seat per month, with the option to add additional seats and accounts at the $1 rate. I can set up auto pay with paypal. $170 a month from a no-hassle North American LAN center is better than no dollars a month.

This is the most I am willing to pay for a product that I already purchased (from the "old" company), the promises of new features is not good enough, from what I can tell 4.5 is a downgrade from the previous version. I have never needed tech support and have found the support forums very lacking.

Thanks for taking the time and reading my long message.

Sincerely,

John Larson

I do not think they will take me up on it, but I thought about it and figured it would be the right thing to offer $1 per seat.  I think the cut-off to signup with the 20% discount is today.

I will post the reply.