BoonEx Kerfuffle - It's the Logo Isn't It?

Free Vs. Paid Versions - They Are the Same Except One Version Has a Logo

With all the rants that went on regarding BoonEx's announcement about the new price and licensing structure, it got me thinking about the question, "Why is it that some don't want to show the BoonEx logo on their site?". If you somehow missed it, here's the link for Dolphin 6.1.5 Released. 100% Open Source. Flash Apps & Forum Included. New Licenses. I think it's still alive as I write this.

If the thread's post count and intensity is any indication, it must be a big deal for some to NOT have the BoonEx logo on their site. There are a few members who seem to be all bent over having the BoonEx logo on their site. I am thinking, by keeping the logo, you get the same feature set that you would get if you paid. How is that a bad thing? So what if you have to attribute your site's framework to BoonEx. It doesn't sound too bad, or does it? Is there more to this logo kerffufle than meets the eye? Inquiring minds want to know...

I thought about it and here's what I came up with.

For Businesses or Site Owners

Brand Dilution

I know for some businesses, one of the reasons they don't want to show logo is because it may conflict with their brand. Part of branding a site includes keeping the look, style and mood of the site focussed on an image or perception of the company. If I mention Disney, IBM and Marilyn Manson, all those three entities will conjure up a different image or brand. In this case it's usually family, business and music, respectively. For example, the BoonEx brand colours may clash with your site's colour palette or your site's brand philosophy.

Competitive Advantage

Yet another reason is competitive advantage. The idea goes something like this. You are a business and you build a site with Dolphin. It works well and it is gaining momentum and members. It is doing so well that your competitors take note of your success. I think you can guess what comes next. One of the first things your competitors will want to find out is what type of framework or engine the site using to deliver the information. If they see the BoonEx logo, then they will go straight to BoonEx and try to do the same thing. One can reason, why would I give my competitiors or potential competitors the incentive, or make it easier for them to figure out the backbone mechanisms of my site's success? And to me, this is a very valid point.

Brand Incongruity with BoonEx

And here's one, it's a bit of a long shot, but I have seen it happen. Since BoonEx is impartial to the sites that get displayed or made, there may be sites that simply don't want to link to BoonEx because there are "themes" at the BoonEx site that may be contradictory to the site owner's image, brand or ideals. For example, let's suppose that you own a "Christian" based web site and one of your members clicks on the BoonEx logo and they are exposed to an image that is very un-Christian-like at the BoonEx site. (Btw, this is just and example and I am aware it is a relative issue and depends on the site owner's conscience and moral threshold).

Re-sell or Re-brand the Work

Re-selling or re-branding other people's work and then claiming it as your own is low (unless you have permission to do so). Your buyers or clients must be informed they are purchasing a solution or package based on BoonEx's work. Enough said.

I am sure there are other reasons, but those are the ones that I could think of at the time. If the reasons to remove the logo are compelling enough, then take it out. $790 for a lifetime license is discounted by about $200 from the previous $998 cost. It is much more affordable now than ever to get a life time license.

For Programmers, Developers and Designers

Some Programmers Want You to Think They Are Geniuses

What I have observed is that some programmers/developers want to somehow appear to be a genius or genius-like. Not surprising as those are qualities that are typically admired. You may have heard the expression, "You're a genius!" or "Absolute genius" and so forth. The reality is that there are very few programmer geniuses (or genusai?) who have actually produced their own code. I know only of a handful of programmers who have built something from scratch. In many cases, they apply the concept of code reuse within their solution. And that's a good thing. For example, run a quick Google check for "multiple file uploader flash" and you will get a link to a really cool multiple file uploader called uploadify. And it's free! Mr. houstonlively had mentioned uploadify in one of his posts if you remember. Unfortunately, some will want to "claim" software as their own work.

A bit more on code reuse. Code reuse is one the of the attibutes of great programmers along with using code design patterns. The idea is, don't reinvent the wheel. Focus on what it is that has to be accomplished and develop the solution. You will still need to code or program. You just don't have to do everything from scratch. Much like a chef who will mix the ingredients to create a delicious meal or the artist who creates a masterpiece, neither of these make their own ingredients or tools from scratch. For example, if I am a painter, I don't make my own brushes or paints. I buy them from the art store, then I make my paintings. It is the same idea with programming.

Programmers Not Crediting Other Programmers

In some cases, a programmer will need to use another programmer's code. This is all fine until they then take it upon themselves to not credit the original developer that formed part of their solution. I know of a few mods out there that are based on another programmer's work yet they are being sold by some as if they did the work all by themselves. I am not talking about adding the credit as part of their marketing or package descriptions, I am referring to the header info that will accompany most OS based scripts within the work files. That info would be accessible only if one dug deep into the code. Some will literally take those out to hide or obfuscate the original code writer's work. Tsk, tsk...you know who you are. If you are going to use existing work, credit the original developer.

Wannabe Programmers and Hobbyist

I see the same sometimes happen with wannabe programmers and hobbyists. They build a site to impress their friends and try to take credit for the whole thing by taking out the original developer's link. It's quite comical as a quick view source of the script will reveal more than they really want to. Then again, maybe that's ok for a little while. I guess it's good for the ego for days they're feeling low. For a few weeks or months they can appear like they have mad skillzzz.

Do You Know a Genius?

In some cases, they're only a genius because you don't know the answer or it's not what you do. Case in point, I think it's total genius that a few well ordered set of nails and dry wall can be arranged to make a house. For people who can do that, well to me that is genius. To others, it's old hat. It's what they do. Genius is a relative thing I think. Again, they're only a "genius" because *you* don't know the answer and to be sure there is nothing wrong with that. You can't know everyting. To their colleagues, they are normal folk.

Having the BoonEx Logo Can Be A Good Thing

For me, I want to show the logo because I think it helps my brand and my own site. I also think it helps BoonEx. Besides, at this time, I really don't have a compelling reason not to show the BoonEx logo on my sites.

I have seen that even if the site hides the BoonEx logo, I can usually spot a BoonEx based site because I find users will take out the logo then use the default UNI template. I figure, if you're going to take out the logo, you might consider investing in a custom template as well. And all that is perfectly if your business rules and strategy require it.

Why I Will Keep the BoonEx Logo

Having the BoonEx logo will assure certain target markets that my site can be expected to work a particular way and that it was built with certains functions that they can use within the site. It will also help build and grow BoonEx the company. And that is what I want to see happen. I believe we've all invested time and effort in making our own sites to where it is now and we would be helping ourselves. For example, what would it mean to you if BoonEx disappeared tomorrow?

Make Money with the BoonEx Logo

You can help the company grow to the level of WordPress, Joomla and other OS apps. This is a ground floor opportunity to become part of social networking history. Tell them that your site was built using BoonEx software. To make the pot sweeter, you can even make some coffee money by becoming an affiliate. You will benefit and so will BoonEx. That is a symbiot relationship.

Save Money with the BoonEx Logo

For many of my own sites, I will be keeping the logo so the whole price thing is not an issue. To me, it would be along the same line as keeping the WordPress or Joomla logo. That's how these things grow. Besides, is it really that bad to have the BoonEx logo? You are after all getting a full featured community builder. Free.

Benefits of Showing the BoonEx Logo:

1. Helps you and me in the long run.
2. Helps BoonEx to become the next big thing. This can translate to better things.
3. You can make some money via the affiliate program in addition to your own adverts.
4. It will save you money.

So why are you showing or not showing the BoonEx logo?

...sip...

[edit: first paragraph]