[bdfh42]

Why do people make such a fuss about changes in something that is free? In this case the changes did not apply to pre-existing free set-ups - just new ones.

You are entitled to complain about contract changes when you are a party to that contract - and there is an exchange of money (or some similar negotiable item).

Some people's sense of entitlement astonishes me.

[EwanToo]

From the google groups list [1]

"I would also like to point out that we have not disabled custom domains for any existing apps, we have merely prevented new apps on the free plan from mapping a custom domain. I understand that this is an inconvenience for some, but it was a necessary measure that was needed in order to implement a vital architectural change that allows us to provide a BETTER service for our existing customers."

So if you'd made use of the feature, you're ok, but if you're an existing free user who hasn't mapped a domain then you can't enable the domain feature. However they didn't tell their existing free users of this change.

Personally, as a free user (with nothing live) I was always surprised at what they did offer without charge, but it comes back to one simple motto "Don't be a free user".

1 - https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/appfog-users/ryJqaUb...

[paukiatwee]

It is not about free plan changes, it is about "notification". And they did change on paid plans as well with the new request limits.

[bdfh42]

But the change was not (as far as I understand it) retrospective. So what notification did you feel entitled to?

[liquidcool]

It depends on how you define "retrospective." Reading the thread, people with pre-existing accounts that did not use the domain feature found they could not start using it, and others that did use it found they could not change it.

While some people may feel entitled, I think it's more a lesson on what not to do. People will always complain when you make something they are using worse (even if you have a good excuse like abuse). That's not the issue. The issue is that when you are a platform company, people get really nervous when you're not open about changes you're making to the thing they're building their business on. Of course it's their right to change their service. Of course they're allowed to do it silently. But it damages trust.

Personally, I just make a mental note to keep that in mind when running my own business.

[jvzr]

I think you both mean "retroactive" instead of "retrospective". But whatever, that isn't the heart of the issue here.