LightBurn is established CNC software primarily designed for systems that operate on the X and Y axes, with some systems also utilizing the Z axis. My concern is whether there are plans to expand LightBurn’s capabilities to compete with software like V-Carve Pro.
In my opinion, this would be a major mistake. LightBurn is renowned for its laser machine control, not for managing CNC spindles, water jets, or plasma cutters. Such a shift could dilute its strength and focus.
I may have misunderstood the information on your job offer page.
Could you please provide clarification on this matter?
In my opinion this is not a good move, please run a pole to clarify users feeling on this matter.
You don’t want to alienate your user base.
I myself already have V-Carve Pro for my Wood CNC machines and i could have just purchased their laser addon, but i wanted LightBurn to focus on pure Laser work.
Being a “jack of all trades” typically means having a wide range of skills or knowledge in various areas rather than specializing in one particular field. While this can be advantageous in some situations, there are several reasons why it may not be a good idea:
Lack of Depth:
Surface-Level Knowledge: When you spread your efforts across many areas, you might only acquire superficial knowledge or skills in each. This can make it difficult to handle more complex tasks that require in-depth expertise.
Competency Issues: Employers or clients often seek specialists with deep knowledge and skills in a particular area. Being a generalist might make it harder to compete with specialists for certain positions or projects.
Marketability and Job Opportunities:
Job Market Preferences: Many industries and professions value specialization. For example, in fields like medicine, law, or engineering, specialists are often more in demand and command higher salaries than generalists.
Branding and Reputation: It can be challenging to establish a strong personal brand or professional reputation if you’re known for a broad range of skills rather than a specific expertise.
Skill Mastery:
Time and Effort: Mastering a skill or field requires significant time and effort. By dividing your focus, you might not spend enough time on any single skill to achieve a high level of mastery.
Continuous Learning: Many fields require continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest developments. Specializing allows you to focus your learning efforts and stay current in one area.
Efficiency and Effectiveness:
Task Efficiency: Specialists often perform tasks more efficiently and effectively due to their deep understanding and experience. Generalists might take longer to complete tasks and may be more prone to errors.
Problem-Solving: Complex problems often require specialized knowledge to solve. Generalists might struggle to address such problems effectively.
Professional Growth:
Career Advancement: Many career advancement opportunities are linked to specialization. Leadership roles, higher pay, and recognition often come to those who are experts in their fields.
Network Building: Specializing can help you build a strong network of professionals in your field, which can be valuable for career growth and opportunities.
Resource Allocation:
Training and Development: Companies may be more willing to invest in training and developing specialists because their skills are seen as critical to the organization’s success.
Focus and Prioritization: Specializing helps in prioritizing resources and efforts towards areas where you can have the most impact.
While being a “jack of all trades” has its merits, such as flexibility and adaptability, it is often more beneficial to specialize in a particular field to achieve professional success and recognition. However, a balanced approach, where one has a primary area of expertise along with a broad set of complementary skills, can also be advantageous in many contexts.
Not renowned for managing CNC spindles, water jets, or plasma cutters yet.
In seriousness, we hear your concern, and promise we are doing everything we can to make sure that, as we expand our software suite to support additional digital fabrication tools, we do not lose sight of the qualities that have made LightBurn a success.
We will always put the time in to make sure we get things right before releasing any new software, we will always remain responsive to user feedback, and we will never let improving LightBurn take a back seat to developing new software. We’re expanding our team precisely to ensure that we live up to those standards.
If you proceed with this plan, I will not purchase next year’s version. By attempting to make this software a jack of all trades, it risks losing its distinction as the best laser software. V-Carve Pro, with its specialized focus on CNC tasks, will be far ahead.
You will be lost in a sea of other generic CNC applications.
In my opinion, this direction could be detrimental to your company. Additionally, I am not looking forward to the new name, LightBurnSpindlePlasmaWaterJetHotKnife—it’s quite a mouthful.
Please consider running a poll among your users. I believe many of us will not support this change.
To clarify one other thing — our CNC software, MillMage, will be a separate application. The LightBurn name will not change, nor will CNC-specific controls be added to LightBurn.
I recently searched for MillMage on the forum and noticed that many users might not realize it’s a subscription-based service. After the first year, you need to subscribe to receive updates.
It’s important for people to know that if you want updates in the second year and beyond, MillMage requires a subscription, like LightBurn.
I personally prefer a one-time purchase model where you always get the latest releases. Subscription-based sales models can be quite frustrating.
Please correct me if i am wrong here about the second year fee to get the latest version.
Life Time has another meaning.
The difference between a lifetime purchase and a subscription in software sales primarily lies in how the user pays for the software and what benefits they receive over time. Here’s a detailed comparison:
Lifetime Purchase
Payment Structure:
One-Time Payment: Users pay a single upfront fee to purchase the software.
No Recurring Costs: Once purchased, the user owns the software indefinitely without any additional payments.
Benefits and Access:
Perpetual License: Users can use the software indefinitely.
Updates: Typically, users receive all minor updates for free. However, major version upgrades may require an additional fee, or they might be excluded altogether.
Pros:
Cost-Effective Long-Term: It can be more economical over time, as users avoid recurring payments.
Ownership: Users feel a sense of ownership and stability, knowing they can use the software as long as they like without additional costs.
Predictable Costs: A one-time purchase eliminates the uncertainty of future expenses.
Cons:
High Initial Cost: The upfront cost can be significant, making it a larger initial investment.
Limited Updates: Major updates may not be included, meaning the software could become outdated unless users pay for upgrades.
Subscription
Payment Structure:
Recurring Payments: Users pay a regular fee (monthly, annually, etc.) to use the software.
Lower Initial Cost: The initial cost is typically lower compared to a lifetime purchase.
Benefits and Access:
Always Up-to-Date: Subscriptions usually include all updates, ensuring users always have the latest version and features.
Additional Services: Often, subscriptions come with added services such as cloud storage, customer support, and additional features.
Pros:
Latest Features: Users always have access to the most recent updates and features without additional costs.
Lower Barrier to Entry: The lower initial cost makes it more accessible for users who might not afford a large upfront payment.
Flexibility: Users can opt out or switch plans based on their needs and budget.
Cons:
Ongoing Cost: Over time, the total cost of a subscription can exceed the one-time purchase cost of lifetime software.
Dependency: Users are dependent on continued payments to maintain access to the software.
Uncertainty: There is potential for price increases, which can make budgeting difficult.
Summary
Lifetime Purchase is a one-time investment that gives indefinite access to the software, typically with free minor updates but possibly excluding major upgrades.
Subscription is a recurring payment model that provides continuous access to the latest updates and features but requires ongoing payments to maintain access.
The choice between the two depends on individual preferences, budget constraints, and the importance of having the latest features and updates.
I’m a bit long in the tooth for debates of this kind of thing. But I do feel your way off track criticising Lightburn for expanding their company. There are many successful companies that produce more than one product the likes of which is Panasonic. Owning one of their excellent TV’S didn’t stop me purchasing one of their cameras. I personally have every faith that Light burn will remain the best laser software on the market no matter what other products they decide to develop.
While I understand that you might feel these debates are more suited for others, I believe that discussing the direction a company takes is important for its stakeholders, including its customers.
It’s commendable that you have faith in Lightburn’s ability to remain a leader in laser software. However, it’s worth considering that diversification, while beneficial for some companies like Panasonic, can sometimes lead to divided focus and resources.
This is my issue here, i am not here for a fight.
This isn’t to say Lightburn cannot succeed in expanding their product range, but it is also reasonable for some customers to express concern over potential impacts on the quality and development of their core product.
Your confidence in Lightburn is encouraging, and hopefully, their expansion will indeed reinforce their market position.
I however feel it will dilute their dominance as the company name is after all LightBurn…
As you say, if you read the forums, you will see that people use Lightburn software for more than just lasers. You also see that a lot of people have requested CNC functionality.
Personally, having a subscription model for updates is a lot easier on my pocketbook than shoveling out thousands on software that I may not use a few years down the road. Also the software is usable even if you do not choose any further updates.
The fact that you did not know about their CNC product, means you are not their target audience.
A free market means you are welcome to use any software you choose, and also means other people can choose a software they want to use. A customer will be loyal to a company who is able to make a product that fits their needs and has a support team that is able to solve their issues in a timely manner. This also means that they can switch software at any time to another product that fits their needs better.
Product diversification I feel can be a good thing, it’s worked good for Honda Mfg.
They make a lot of different products like cars, lawnmowers, outboard motors for boats, generators, etc… All of which IMO are great products.
If Lightburn feels that there Millmage can compete in the market I say go for it.
I have always felt that competition in the market is a good thing, it forces the company’s to step up there game to make a better product.
Well, I for one would rather see a router plugin for Lightburn, so if you’re taking a poll which I believe YOU can do, that’s how I would vote. One software and be able to tab between laser or router. But that’s just my .02 cents.
LightBurn is already a CNC program specifically designed for laser cutters.
Having to pay for updates every year is considered a subscription model. In a subscription model, customers pay a recurring fee, typically on an annual, monthly, or other periodic basis, to continue receiving a product or service. This model contrasts with a one-time purchase where the customer pays once to own the product indefinitely. By paying for updates every year, you are essentially subscribing to ongoing access to the latest version and support of the product, fitting the definition of a subscription model.
Even within the target audience, some individuals might not be aware of the product due to various reasons, such as limited advertising reach, market noise, or personal circumstances.
I am glad I’m not the only one who has not read every word on the forum, i also have a life to live. Some people don’t even read all of the conversation.
The customer is not required to pay if they are happy with the version of the software they have. That version will continue to work for as long as they have their license, and you are not required to update yearly either, hence it is not a subscription.
Feature development costs money. If you want new features on a physical product you previously bought, you pay for them. No one expects their microwave to automatically gain new features without paying for them, so I don’t understand why this idea is so prevalent with software.
Most of us experienced the rise of the internet, where we got most of this stuff free… now the reality has started hitting the masses, coming into awareness that all of this has always cost a lot of money.
IMHO, people are generally tightwads and don’t want to spend any money.
Few Linux users actually send development money or hardware to Debian or developers of some other flavor of Linux?
The lead developer is generally not the best person to communicate with the public, especially on matters related to business models and customer expectations.
While the lead developer can provide valuable insights into the technical aspects of the product, it’s best to leave public communications to professionals trained in handling customer relations and public messaging. This ensures that the company’s communications are clear, consistent, and empathetic, fostering better customer understanding and satisfaction.
Customer Empathy: Show more empathy towards customers’ expectations and frustrations. Instead of saying “I don’t understand why this idea is so prevalent with software,” try to understand and address the reasons behind this expectation.
The microwave analogy might be seen as too simplistic because software and hardware have different development and distribution models.
An open forum thrives on diverse perspectives, ensuring all opinions are heard. Relying solely on fan boys to defend your business can polarize the discussion, hindering genuine dialogue. True open conversation embraces varied viewpoints and fosters healthy debate
I believe that by participating in the discussion I have done the opposite of that. Are you here to lecture, or actually discuss? Nowhere here has anyone been censored, so I’m not sure where you’ve gotten the idea that our forum isn’t an open place for discussion. Plenty of people here are disagreeing with you, but they’re not fanboys, just customers.
You keep writing these long winded missives that don’t really do much other than reinforce my impression of you as condescending. Is there a point you’re trying to make somewhere? You asked for clarification, and it was given.
LightBurn has no such trained professionals, and I find the notion absurd, really. We pride ourselves on having direct and open dialog with our customers, and I’d prefer not having everything I say sanitized.
Your statement is negative because it contains several elements that convey criticism, frustration, and a lack of respect towards the person it addresses. Here’s a breakdown of why this is considered negative:
Condescending Tone: The statement suggests that the recipient is being condescending. This is a direct criticism of the recipient’s communication style and can be interpreted as an insult.
Rhetorical Questions: Questions like “Are you here to lecture, or actually discuss?” and “Is there a point you’re trying to make somewhere?” are not genuine inquiries but rather sarcastic and confrontational. They imply that the recipient is not engaging in a meaningful way.
Discrediting the Argument: The statement discredits the recipient’s contributions by calling them “long winded missives” that “don’t really do much.” This diminishes the value of the recipient’s input and portrays it as unproductive or irrelevant.
Implying Misunderstanding: The phrase “I’m not sure where you’ve gotten the idea that our forum isn’t an open place for discussion” implies that the recipient has misunderstood the nature of the forum, which can be seen as dismissive.
Labeling the Recipient: By saying “they’re not fanboys, just customers,” the statement indirectly labels the recipient’s perspective as invalid or biased without directly engaging with their arguments.
Accusation of Condescension: Directly stating “reinforce my impression of you as condescending” is a personal attack rather than a critique of the argument itself.
Overall, your statement is negative because it focuses more on attacking the character and communication style of the recipient rather than constructively engaging with their ideas. It conveys irritation and a dismissive attitude, which can be perceived as hostile and unproductive in a discussion setting.
This is what you could have said
“While we value open dialogue with our customers, we believe there’s potential to further enhance our communication channels. We appreciate direct and honest feedback, as it helps us improve our services. However, we also recognize the importance of professionalism and expertise in certain areas. Our aim is to strike a balance between transparency and ensuring the quality of information shared. Your input on how we can achieve this balance is greatly appreciated.”
N.B.I genuinely appreciate the software, but I believe there’s room for improvement in making this forum more open and inclusive. Its the best laser software i have used.
