I purchased a module from the Boonex Market from a trusted vendor.  I am not going to mention the module or the vendor; the vendor certainly can reply on here, although it will be necessary to discuss some details that will enable any to do the sleuthing to find out.  It has been a very long process trying to get customer support from this vendor that has stated he does not check his support forum or Boonex messages and one must use his email address for correspondence.  I had more than one issue with the module; and eventually those issues were addressed.  However, I have been told the latest issue is not an issue at all but a feature.  The module in question monitors the amount of content one has uploaded to the website; and can set a limit on disk space for the members.  One day I got a complaint from a member that he had bumped into the space limit and decided to delete some of his photos that he no longer cared to be on the site in order to upload some that he did want on the site.  However, after deleting the photos, he was still being told he was at his space limit.  I checked the database against the photos the member had and yes, the module's table was showing the photos still existed and thus the member was at his limit.  I removed the couple of rows from the table and the member was then able to upload his photos.  It would seem reasonable to me that the module should track when a member deleted content since the purpose of the module is to monitor how much data; disk space, a member is using.  If a member decides to clean out some content in order to be below his/her level, then I feel that the module should track that as well.  I feel that the developer forgot this part of space usage tracking and is trying to avoid fixing the module by claiming it is not a flaw and is a feature.  The module developer told me if I wanted the module to also track when members deleted files that I would have to pay extra.  The module already cost me $79.00 and we are a not-for-profit group struggling to provide a service for a group of refugees from a social network that died.  I am including the correspondence from the module developer below.

I started to post this in the dispute section but reading what constitutes a dispute in that forum I was unsure.  I am posting this in the Fun and Foo; and this is part of the Foo, in order to get some feedback from the community on this matter.  I don't feel like I should pay to have the module fixed; and I do feel the module has a flaw, not a feature.  Does the rest of the community feel that a module that is suppose to track the amount of member content should not track when that content is deleted as well as added?  I do know this, the members of my social network thinks it should track deleted content.

Below is my correspondence with the module developer.  Hopefully I have redacted any passages that might reveal the person's name although I will send the developer an email letting him know this topic exists if he wished to respond.

========================

Dear REDACTED

As I already said, this is not a bug, this is developed this way and what
you are asking about is a kind of functionality which I have to add by
changing default code, that's why it will cost additional fee.
I would programm  this for free if it would be a bug but I didn't have any
complaints , you are the only person weho want it to work this way




2013/4/4 REDACTED

 Asking for an additional fee to fix what I see is a logic flaw in the
> design of the module is unreasonable.  It is to be expected that a
> REDACTED
> REDACTED module would keep up with members removing content as well as
> adding content.  REDACTED, you are a good programmer and you offer some very
> good Dolphin modules and I have purchased a few of them to use on my
> site.
>   However, I must give this some thought.  Let me know if you are
> willing to
> fix this module without charging me a fee to do so.  If not, then I I
> need
> to contemplate my actions on this; at the least I will need to discuss
> the
> matter with Boonex since you are using their market.
>
> Sincerely,
> REDACTED
>
>
> On 4/3/2013 1:41 AM, REDACTED wrote:
>
>  This is not for me but as I said, to force users to purchase more
>> REDACTED
>> to make your site profitable. I  can re-build this module according to
>> your
>> request but for additional fee
>>
>> There won't be any profit if users will be able to purchase REDACTED once
>> and use it permanently deleting files and uploading new ones
>>
>> Regards!
>>
>>
>>
>> 2013/4/2 REDACTED
>>
>>   Does that really make sense to you that a person would have to delete
>> all
>>
>>> their content just to be able to upload more within their allotted
>>> limit?
>>>    I understand about the buying more; yes, that would be nice.
>>>  However,
>>> if
>>> a user decide to remove 100 megs of content to be within their 500 megs
>>> allotted, then REDACTED should be able to handle that as
>>> well; I
>>> received a complaint from a user on just that issue. Forcing uses is
>>> not
>>> the way to win their hearts.
>>>
>>> I don't have the time or the knowledge to try and hack your module for
>>> this purpose nor do I feel I should pay to have it included either as
>>> it
>>> is
>>> an obvious scenario for how one would use the site and your REDACTED
>>> REDACTED module.  I need to pass your answer on to the rest of the
>>> members
>>> of my development team before I can make a decision.
>>>
>>> Thank you for your answer.
>>>
>>> REDACTED
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/2/2013 1:32 PM, REDACTED wrote:
>>>
>>>   Hello REDACTED
>>>
>>>> I'm sorry for delay.
>>>> This is not a bug , it works as follows:
>>>> 1 admin gives 500 MB ,
>>>> 2 user uploaded files and doesn't have REDACTED anymore, all 500 MB
>>>> full
>>>> 3 user has to remove all files to get 500 MB cleaned to be able to
>>>> upload
>>>> files again or have to purchase REDACTED again
>>>> This is done to force users to purchase REDACTED and one file removing
>>>> won't
>>>> solve the problem
>>>>
>>>>

It's a flaw. They should fix this. It is fundmental functionality that should work. You can't just monitor the space in one direction, the module should also monitor and allow user's to upload more when they have removed data.

I agree, it's a flaw.  The developer seems to be wanting to force people to upgrade. To me that's a rip off!

The module should be capable of monitoring in both directions so that a user can delete some space. Not all users will want to do this and will buy extra space, but they shouldn't be forced to do so!

I currently have a little problem with the same identical loan seller.

Must correct these modules and free.

For my part, a response from him and now the silence

Its Es.... Module I think :-) Well tracking deleted content in module which is supposed to track amount of space user can use is a must - I think without this functionality mod is practically useless so I think Es... should really fix that for sure. Am sure he will do that as he is very respected vendor and talented programmer and I think also honest person ..prolly in top 5 vendors here in boonex market so AM sure he will fix that - maybe its more like misunderstanding ? or you choosed bad type of communication with him. I think if u explain him problem maybe in more friendly way hi will be also more keen to actuzally fix that. Anyway I really think this flaw is unacceptable with this kind of module and shoukld be fixed.. If I will buy that module and find our it not tracking deleted content and dont adjust user space if user delete some content I will consider it like bug also for sure...

I understand Sasha point .. he released mod as only one of solutions how raise profit - but this is not right bway and user will be more pissed off than pay - those who can afford it -  they purchase more space but there have to be also option for people who rather delete part of content to be still in limit and they can really complain. I will complain too if I was user of that site - I would say okay I was supposed to have 500mb free limit... I reached that .. okay so I deleted 300 mb of content so Im now in limit so what should I pay something ?.....so I  really understand why your users complain. I would complain too if I was your user :-)

I understand there may be a language barrier and it is on my side since I am mono-lingual.  However, as can be seen from the correspondence, he is quite firm on his stance.  His programming skills, of course, are not in question and I stated that more or less in one of my emails to him.  I would like to use the module but without the ability to monitor when a member removes content and updating the module's table accordingly, then the module is useless for the purpose intended.  Yes, he is a trusted vendor but he is losing my trust and I would think accordingly that Boonex should revisit his trusted status if he is not willing to fix what I and others feel is a flaw in a content storage tracking module.  I emailed him the link to this forum topic so he can visit and leave his comments if he desires.

for sasha: nothing against you sasha, you are very good programmer and valued community vendor and actually AM happy u are here as your work is great -  but at this poit I have to a bit defend Geek_Girl -   really I think Geek_girl is right that your mod should really also monitor deleted contant - I think it should really be default core feature in such module which monitor used space for user. For example I wanted buy that mod also, but now as I see it actually dont track deleted content I dont buy it as than it worthless for me. I also consider that either as bug or simply not completed functionality - everybody who buy module which monitor and setup available space for users think that of course if will also monitor deleted content and adopt to it if something is deleted... so at least I also epected your mod to work both ways - montir adsd but also deleted content -  at least I would think this way ...

Hello everyone!

Not sure what's going on here BUT!!!

geek_girl had a chance to read module's description where I stated that the module is developed to force users to purchase traffic and this givesn YOU (site owner) the ability to have a kind of profit.

I do not see any logic in providing users the ability to remove uploaded files to be able to uplaod new ones. Where is the logic then when I developed it to force site users to pay for the ability to upload files.

Files can be removed but this won't provide users with the ability to use this free space again. If you want your site users to upload any files any time and as much as they want simply set up a mode - Free for all users.

I do not force anybody to upgrade or smth else, the idea of this module doesn't match geeks' understanding and I think everyone here should understand : When you want to have a module with your special requirements, you need to hire a developer and discuss this requirements to get a module you want for your website. This is not NORMAL to purchase a module on the market and require developer to develop functionality which is not included into the default package.

As for the first part of geeks big message, I think this is also NORMAL when you contact developer directly if you have any issues with the module. Contacting developer directly you get support faster and you can provide a server private information by mail.

@ geek_girl

Feel free to request a refund, it will be confirmed and the question will be closed

If there anyone else who do not understand why my module works the way to force users to purchase traffic, feel free to ask questions, I'll be glad to help and provide some ideas on how to make your site profitable

Regards!

@esase, since your so quick to jump in here... you mind answering our posted questions here?

http://www.boonex.com/forums/?action=goto&my_threads=1#topic/Sounds-with-playlists.htm

Well I thought about that mod following way: that I can  restrict users to have certain space limit for example 500 MB, if they dont want pay other fees they have to keep their files - photos, videos within this 500 mb limit - if they want upload more content .. above limit they have to pay site owner money to extend limit for example from 500 MB to 900Mb BUT maybe user decide rather not pay anything more and rather delete old photos and videos and upload new ones so he is still in 500 MB limit and simply only swap content. People may advertrise their site for example " every user have 500 space limit for its sounds, photos, videos and files - if you want more you have to pay more" then if user simply delete old content and upload   new to be still in "limit" but site still asking him for pay for raising limit he can consider it like not honest behaviour from site owner and ask him.. "okay I know there is 500 MB space limit and I reached that so I deleted old conted and upload new files so Im still in limit but you still ask me to pay .. so why if Im still in limit because I deleted old content.... it will be hard to explain to users...

Mod work prolly now that after user achieve limit he have to pay whatever youn delete but thats  hard to explain to users..even I will confused from that if I will ber site user.

I know you dont name tracking deleted stuff in mod description but if I buy it I would also automatically think that mod will work different way same as geek gril think ...

Problem is prolly that you probably have different thinking how your mod is supposed to work but hard to judge .... Anyway if you enhance yor mod to functionality that it can also track deleted contend and reflect that in user space would be nice addition. I Actually wanted to buy that module but I also need functionality like geek girl so if user delete some stuff to be still limit to not charge him for raise limit

I dont want to judge here .. just wrote my opinion and I think really admin can be able setup mod in administration that it can work both ways.. just my idea how that sort of module should work...

Ayway truth is that sasha didnt mention tracking deleted content in mod description so we cant blame him it not have that functionality.. even throught many people can automatically think it have this for sure like me and geekgirl. So I think this is prolly a little bit complicated situation as it cant be taken as bug ..its more like that some people expected this mod to work  bit different way than was sasha idea

Anyway as sasha offered refund ... its honest behaviour and friendly step from him so its up to geek girl to either keep it or not...

Wish you both all best... :-)

Sasha maybe u can consider to make feature addition to your mod. I think there will be more people who appreciate if your mod will track delete content feature and adopt it in user space... ....

You always wanted to distribute website trafic effectively between your site users: to limit or grant access for media content upload (audio, video files) And of cause to get additional income on site popularity? If so, this mod is a great help to archieve this!


This module allows site users to use only limited disk space for photo, video, files and music files upload. Admin is able to set up free disk space for all the profiles in the mod settings.

Also you can create a list of different services (price, tariffs, space etc.) in admin panel . Users will be able to purchase this service via standard payment modules integrated into Dolphin, thus they can have more disk spaces Services are offered for different period of time and user is not able to use this service when it is expired If user exceeds the default disk space he allowed to use, he won't be able to upload any files and will be offered to purchase this service or he will have to remove files uploaded before to clean his disk space. The statistic of user's disk space will be available on member's page. The automatic notification will be sent to user if his purchase disk space service is going to expire

===============

However, when a member does remove files, your module still won't allow the member to upload.  Why, because your module has a flaw.  You want to pass it off as a feature to avoid doing the work.  Why?  Is this beyond your coding ability?

You are not doing yourself a favour here.  Everyone coming here reading this topic or reading the complaints about your module is costing you sales with your refusal to fix this module.  You need to think about that, lost sales.  Why not just fix the module to do as the description; and I have copied the description from your page so don't go changing it now.  Listen, you have a good module here that is useful, if you fix this flaw.  As it is now, it is useless to anyone.  No one is going to buy a storage tracker module with the intent to FORCE members to purchased storage space even when they delete content; this would only piss members off and cause them to leave the site.

Just fix the module, please?

Well red highlighted sentence from description really leads me to think its really bug - especially " or he will have to remove files uploaded before to clean his disk space" seems to me as clear function that it track deleted content and stop ask user for pay if he delete his files... hmmmm

The text highlighted in red makes it totally clear that the original intention of the module was that users could delete some of their material in order to load more and stay within the amount of storage space they had purchased.

It was inevitable that some users would wish to do this, whilst others (probably a majority) would opt to purchase additional storage space.

Esase's reaction seems like sharp practise to me, as in  'Let's gouge the customer for as much money as possible!'  This may mean more income in the short term but it is  not going to do so in the long term and is a very short sighted way of doing business, both for site operators and module developers!

Here is another point to make here.  When I contacted ESASE about members deleting content and it not being reflected, his answer was not that it was a feature.  His answer was that I needed to give him access to my server so he could check it out.  So evidently it wasn't a feature that he intended.  I had to set up a test server so he could check it out.  I see where he uploaded two photos to the site after he made a new account in his name.  Then he comes back with this baloney about it being a feature.  He then says he can have the module to detect when someone deletes a photo if I am willing to pay him; sounds more like extortion to me.

Yes, I can request a refund but then I lose a feature that I really want on my site.  I can not get a refund and continue using the traffic inspector module.  If Boonex had storage limits built into Dolphin, then I would not have to buy a module in the first place.  Being able to limit how much space a member uses should be a part of membership.

What I don't understand is ESASE attitude.  He is losing trust as a vendor.  Plus, he is losing sales as others see that his traffic inspector module has a flaw; and yes, I will continue to call it a flaw because that is exactly what it is.

I can not force ESASE to fix the module.  I know that Boonex can not force ESASE to fix the module.  However, what Boonex can do is to remove him as a trusted vendor; he won't even monitor his forums or answer his Boonex messages, and remove the module from the Market so that others do not run into the same problem with the flawed module.

 Even dolphin membership is not able to account for cases where content is deleted lol

Not sure I follow you here; perhaps you misunderstood the comment.  I have noticed several social sites on the internet that have different membership levels and each membership level has a storage restriction.  For example, standard membership would allow members 200 meg of storage space while a higher level membership might allow 500 megs of storage level.  So, this is not anything strange.  In those cases, storage level is tied to membership level and buying a higher membership level entitles one to more storage.  In Dolphin one can not tie storage levels to membership and even the traffic inspector does not do that.  Most of the comments I get from members are asking if buying a higher membership level will get them more storage since they are use to that on other social sites.  With Dolphin there is no way to do that, hence the need for the Traffic Inspector.

I think the time has expired for discussion and it is time for a formal complaint to Boonex on this vendor.

 It seems this is simply your way to do business. This is not the first time you purchase module then require features it doesn't contain.

As I already asked you several times, request a refund and I'll confirm it and the question will be closed.

You can contact BoonEx but PLEASE, request refund and do not use my module. PLEASE!

Request refund and remove my module from your website PLEASE.

FYI: You always have a chance to contact vendor if you have any questions before you purchase anyting, this is simply here on Unity and it has mail boxes. If description wasn't clear for you you could contact me and I would gladly answer your questions.

No, I am opening a dispute with Boonex, you can not post modules in the market that have a flaw and then extort members to have the flaw fixed.  You have trusted vendor status and it is clear you should not.  You don't check the support forum for your modules, you don't reply to messages, and it is not just me but others as well.

I paid for a working module and I want a working module.  Plus, you never answered the problem about the actions manager.

You could have stepped up and fix the module and kept the goodwill you have lost.

This is a joke, by your own admission you don't check the forums, you don't check the messages.

I was hoping that you would be big enough to step up and fix the flaw in your module. 

 I have to agree with GG on your ability to post here in the forums, and then use the excuse that you "I think I emailed you." 

You should have just simply post in the support forum for the module I asked about.

This is from your support thread about another module 

Sounds with playlists, several of us asked questions about the module recently and after I posted something nasty this was your response...

Over a month has gone by and the developer does not answer his support forum or requests to fix the flaw in his module.  For Boonex to have him as a trusted vendor is ludicrous.  Boonex needs to remove the trusted vendor status as well as the module from the market until the developer is willing to fix the flaw in his module.  The developer in question has skills; however, his attitude towards his customers negates so much of that.

Seems to me he made what he wanted to do quite clear. He has chosen to provide you with a refund rather then make changes to the module. His last post stated he wanted you to send him an official request for a refund and to remove the module from your site.

The way he has it designed is obviously the way he wants it to be and apparently is unwilling to change it. And because he is willing to provide a refund, you should take it, remove the module and hire someone to do something similar the way you want it done.

I would just like to add my 2 cents.....

It is up to the developer to decide what functionality to inclue in the module, and for the user to decide if the module is suitable. This sounds like Sasha is getting a bashing on here... Lets not forget that there is probably not a single dolphin site owner out there that has not purchased a module of some description that they can not use... Its dolphin and boonex and that is how it is!

I personally have MANY modules that I can not use (approx $400) worth that are useless to me because of conflicts or functionality issues. Most are from another Trusted Vendor (not Sasha) and more holes in them that swiss cheese!

What is important is how you work with a developer. I have spent over two years just building up exellent relationships witht he developers I use for all of my custom work (including Sasha). If someone sells or gives me a crap module they no longer get my business.... simples.

Sasha, did the main custom module set for my site from the ground up... Six weeks of awsome work that does exactly as i requested because I explained exactly what I wanted... Build those relationships, that is all I am saying.

NAthan : )