[creativemonkeys]

I'm not a SublimeText user (so I have no skin in this game), but from reading the discussion, it seems to me like the problem is as follows:

  1. You bought a license to use SublimeText 3 in perpetuity
  2. Later ST3 offers a routine update that doesn't communicate the fact that it is actually an upgrade to a product with a different licensing scheme. This comes as an unpleasant surprise to you.
  2a. Additionally, applying a small update constitutes a small interruption to whatever you were doing (update, restart, continue editing).
  3. Once started, ST4's very clear messaging is that you need a new license.
  4. Because of #3, the minor interruption turned into a large interruption. Yes, people can go and downgrade, but _they shouldn't need to do that_. 

In my opinion, it's not OK for this to be the default behavior of an app, just like it's not OK for you to buy an economy seat on a flight, get reassigned automatically to business class and then be asked to pay a higher price for the same flight because you're now flying in business class.

I think #2 was a mistake on ST team's part (which they acknowledge) and it makes them look unprofessional in this one instance.

It is a frustrating experience, and it's OK and normal for users of SublimeText to feel frustrated. I want to make sure this is recognized, because saying "oh oops it was a bug" explains the root cause, but doesn't acknowledge the frustration it causes. I see this in software all the time. Software is for humans - we, as software developers, need to own the human consequences of these bugs as well, not just the technical side-effects.

[mrjin]

I'm not SublimeText user neither. IMO the problem was really #2 and #3. It's perfectly fine to switch the license model between major versions, and it might even be fine between minor updates as long as the committed maintenance period elapsed. Doesn't matter which method was chosen, at least prompt the user before installing the update that a new license is required to continue installation. If the user opt to not continuing, then the upgrade should be cancelled, auto-update should be disabled permanently and no changes should be make to the users system.

Sublime's behavior was deceptive and invasive, their users have all the reasons to grudge.

[joshspankit]

While we’re here:

I’m a free user, and because of it my “don’t check for updates” setting is ignored. Apparently you have to pay in order to disable the https request and the popup on each minor point release.