Over the past year I have received hundreds of e-mails asking me to update this plugin, add new features, and help with issues related to specific site installations. I have had to decline these requests due to the enormous amount of time it takes to actively support such a complex and popular plugin.
Just recently I have started a new venture with Bowe Frankema for a totally unrelated product, but the tools to charge for downloads and support of plugins became available, so I decided to give Links another shot, but this time around as a premium plugin.
This *hopefully* does not mean an end to the free plugin in the WordPress plugin repo.
Roadmap:
Version 0.6 is currently available as a premium plugin only. It has been updated to work with BP 1.5+. Although its a “pro” plugin, for now the only enhancements are BP 1.5+ support.
Later versions of the premium plugin will be adding support for additional embed services like Vimeo, etc. Adding more media providers is the #1 request I get. Other premium features will be added based on feedback from customers.
The free version *might* eventually be updated to support BP 1.5+ *only if* the premium version is generating enough sales to make supporting a free version possible. If and when the free version is updated, it will not contain many of the upcoming new features of the premium version, and its possible that the groups integration will be removed and only be available in the pro version.
I still believe strongly in free open source software, but I have to find a balance where I can provide some cool stuff for the community, but still be able to pay my bills.
If anyone is interested in the premium version, you can purchase it here http://shop.presscrew.com/shop/buddypress-links/. You can use coupon code jan2012 for 20% off through the end of the month.
I would appreciate any feedback from you guys with ideas on how to keep this plugin supported now and into the future.
