Many of you have asked for the truth about the delays behind MenuMachine, so here you go. I haven’t wanted to discuss any of this in public previously for reasons that will become obvious.
Many of you know my wife Janet from discussions online or via our support system. What you do not know is that Janet is affected by a very serious degenerative genetic condition. This condition has significantly worsened in the last three years. In 2008, Janet spent 70 days in hospital and she is just now recuperating from a six-week hospital stay. The prognosis for the next few years is not particularly positive.
It is and has been extremely difficult for us to maintain the business with Janet in her current condition. Not only has it been almost impossible for me to maintain a normal programming workload but what many of you may not realise is that the support side of MenuMachine is extraordinarily time-consuming. MenuMachine is not like many other apps in that it has many inter-depencies and each of these increases the complexity of the product and the likelihood of support requests.
For example, MenuMachine menus need to work in arbitrary HTML pages over which we have no control. Menu problems are almost always due to incorrect HTML or scripts in a customer’s pages, however MenuMachine is always blamed and we have to diagnose the problem. This can easily equate to several hours a day of effort.
The new version of MenuMachine is even more complicated because it needs to interoperate with other apps such as Dreamweaver and Coda, which are moving targets. This adds yet another layer of complexity to the app and yet more potential support issues. We also felt it was important to provide an option for users who are not using a supported app to add the menu code to their pages, which means that MenuMachine is now also an HTML editor in its own right, with all the complexities that involves.
So I have to make a decision about what to do with MenuMachine at this point. With Janet’s condition the way it is, I am now reluctant to finish it and release the product because I just don’t think we can deal with the resulting support load.
What I am considering is releasing a time-limited version of the app as it currently stands and letting you all have a look at it just so you can see that I am not full of hot air and that the app does actually exist. The app is not production-ready, nor is it complete. You can let me know in the comments what you think. One option is just to release the lot as open-source but I haven’t decided what to do yet.
Back before Janet had a serious decline in the beginning of 2008, all was looking well for MenuMachine and it has been financially difficult for the both of us that I have not been able to release it in a reasonable timeframe.
I am all too well aware that we have put our existing customers through an unacceptable period of uncertainty and I’m very sorry about it. The last three years have been exceedingly difficult for Janet, for me and for for our family and unfortunately the next three are not looking promising. I will always put Janet first, before anything else. This means spending as much quality time with her as possible in the time that she has left.
I expect you would all do the same if you were in the same situation.
As usual, feel free to vent in the comments or email me at rob@menumachine.com if you don’t want your comments published.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Life comes first. Plain & simple.
January 6th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
You need to look after yourself and your family
first.
January 6th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I’m sorry to here about this… and I thank you for sharing such a hard time in your life with us.
I hope all the best, and surely your family and loved ones come first. God bless your wife, you Rob, and all your loved ones.
With regards to your decision about MenuMachine 3 and what to do with it, I’m sure there must be others willing to help you, and get this masterpiece out the door, even if it comes to becoming open source.
No matter what, I thank you for giving us such a wonderful product.
Thank you
Micdim
January 6th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Janet has sure bailed me out on occasion. My heart and encouragement go out to the both of you.
I’d say keep Janet on the front burner and MM3 simmering. There’ll be times when it’ll be great you have a sturdy bone at hand (for your mind to chew on). We’ve waited this long; I don’t see any reason to get hasty or impatient now.
Regarding post-sales support… is there a chance you could bring someone else on board? Perhaps a dedicated MM2 user with enough savvy to really be of help? In this economy, most of us freelancers could use an extra cookie or two. (BTW I am NOT nominating myself because I ain’t savvy enough.) Otherwise, why not just make an indefinite slow response time an up-front condition of purchase. Under the circumstances, that would keep us all winners.
Your explanation sure does put everything in perspective, though.
Thanks, as always
January 7th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
I’m so sorry to learn of Janet’s illness. Please let her know we’re all thinking of her. Thank you for letting us know.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:41 am
On the topic of support service, why not set up a community forum? Any number of places do that, and half the problems can be solved by other users instead of taking up all your time.
Best wishes to your family and try to stay positive. They gave my mom 2 years…18 years ago…and she’s still going strong!
January 8th, 2011 at 7:26 am
Just posted a support request. Seeing there was something new on the blog, came over and was so sorry to read this.
Of course, you have to take care of your family first.
But you might consider releasing a early adopter “limited edition” of MenuMachine 3 and let us users support each other on a user forum.
All best wishes. And thanks for letting us know.
January 12th, 2011 at 1:15 am
Thank you for your honesty, and I can understand why you were reluctant to go public with the details of your private life and completely respect and support your priorities. I am sure I am not alone in wishing you both some better times this year.
On the positive side no one including me has ever said ‘Well actually I’m using xxx and it’s much better than MM’ and your idea of releasing it into the wild could create a kind of legacy for you both.
I hope what I mean is clear when I say, that as horrible as the prognosis is, there is much to be said for being forced to live in the moment and valuing what you have whilst you can.
January 13th, 2011 at 10:49 am
My thoughts are with you and your family. Best wishes and take care.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Dear Rob, ditto on what Patrice said.
Best, Rick
January 19th, 2011 at 2:31 am
Sounds like you’re doing the right thing – family and loved ones first. My best to you if a difficult time.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:14 am
It’s been a long time since our paths have crossed, but I just stumbled across this post and wanted to express my sorrow over this tough news about Janet’s health. Love your wife well and don’t worry about this stuff, it’s just software.
I hope for a miracle, and pray for peace in the meantime.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:18 am
Really sad to hear about Janet. My prayers are with you and your family. I’ve used your product for several years and was excited to hear about MM3. This does put everything in perspective though. If I were in the same situation, I would do the same. God give you the strength and peace you need to weather this ordeal.
January 20th, 2011 at 9:55 am
I am so sorry to hear your news! And I am with everyone else on this that we support you and whatever you have ready to release we would love to see it. This product is beyond unique and nothing else out there even comes close. We are all your favorite fans! I too have experienced tremendous support whenever I encountered a remote problem. I say don’t give it up. Let us help you however we can (I like the forum idea). I applaud that you are putting your family first and given the way you have conducted your business, provided support and been dedicated to this product–I am not at all surprised. To you both–be well and stay strong.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:57 am
Best wishes, Rob. We all understand.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:24 am
Family first!
Wishing you all the best.
January 28th, 2011 at 4:22 am
Rob, very sad news about Janet. Please give her my warmest wishes and a big hug. It’s clear you’ve had a lot going on, and I admire you for your strength. Like others on this forum have said, family first. Much love to you both.
January 28th, 2011 at 8:45 am
Rob, I just purchased your product and am thrilled with the results. I’m truly sorry to hear about your wife Janet. My best wishes go out to you and your wife.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:34 am
You don’t owe anyone the release of MM3, so take yourself completely off the hook on that one.
A forum seems like a great way to lessen the support load for MM2. And there is no law that says you need to provide support for a GoLive product until the end of time. Adobe doesn’t even do that.
As said, family first.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:31 am
Rob, So sorry to here this news
As users of your product, we can sometimes be selfish in our demands and expectations of what we expect.
As a fan of your talent and intelligence, I will be selfish again and ask that you continue to put your family first and be selfish yourself.
You have given your customers so much over the past few year.
Im sure given the circumstances, we all are on board in terms of what path you choose to take regarding menu machine.
We can only hope and pray that your wife will see brighter days ahead.
Russ M.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:23 am
So sorry to hear of Janet and her illness. Best wishes for brighter times ahead.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:03 am
Soo very sorry to learn about this! You both have my complete support and understanding! I really hope that Janet will get better – I do believe in (medical) wonders – due to my own experience! My very best wishes to you! kai.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Its been a very long time since I’ve used GoLive but because I loved MenuMachine so very much I check in here from time to time to see where you are in the process.
I always felt something beyond business was going on and I’m so deeply saddened to hear of Janet’s illness. Both you and Janet have been wonderful in supporting MenuMachine and your community. I thank you both for all your hard work on behalf we who spent a very small amount of money for a wonderful product.
Yes, I recall Janet working faithfully to support those of us in the community. You two are a fantastic team and yes you are right, we would do exactly what you are doing if we were in your shoes. I’ve actually been there. And having been there–my best advise to others in that situation, is to have no regrets. Family first always.
You both will be in my prayers.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Best wishes to Janet and to you Rob.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I’m one of those people who left in a huff, but down deep, I have remained a fan of MenuMachine, the support group (Janet), and you, Rob. So, on occasion, I’d peek in on this blog. Recently, after I read your your heartfelt, but objective, news about Janet’s condition, I felt awful, still do. Been there. My dear sister died hideously, way too young, after losing to ovarian cancer. Anyway, my motto has become “it’ll be fine.” And it will.
I remain interested in your as-is version of MM3, if you’re still interested in “pre-pre-alpha” testing it, such as it is. I’d be interested in the open source. That is, there still may be a way that a life could be built for for this app, again, only if you’re interested. You have my email.
Best wishes to you, Janet, and your family.
rod
March 2nd, 2011 at 12:48 am
Rob, our needs are unimportant. At this point, there can only be one priority for you: take care of Janet and yourself. Forget the rest.
I wish Janet, you, and your family the very best.
Ron
March 9th, 2011 at 2:37 am
Rob, really really sorry to hear of Janet’s illness.
Family comes first every time.
Best wishes to you all.
john
March 9th, 2011 at 5:31 am
As much as I love Menu Machine, if development puts a strain on Janet and your family, please do not continue! MM is an awesome application and you should be very proud, but it’s time to rest.
All the best to Janet and your family.
Curt Clayton
March 10th, 2011 at 4:30 am
Ok. So I purchased the ‘f-source’ menu system $59.
It stinks.. All Flash based which is ok but it’s a big pain unless ALL of your htmls are located in ONE place. Otherwise you have to go in and build a new menu for each (html) directory. Even then editing each is a BIG pain. Don’t bother with this one!
Anybody got any better ideas? Help!
Get well NOW, Janet!
ron
March 12th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
What about selling Menumachine to another developer?
March 18th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Life & family are always first.
Just do what you feel you have to do.
As for MM in particular, there are options:
- Selling it to some developer. It IS a promising piece of work. You could sell it while retaining certain rights, methinks. Or perhaps some sort of licensing for some time, huh?
- Releasing as Open Source, so the community of programmers can polish the final steps (it’s a possibility, although we realise it’s not financially convenient for you).
By the way, I STILL rely on MM2 for many websites, and it still shines. Thanks a lot.
My best wishes for you and, of course, for Janet.
March 20th, 2011 at 6:16 am
I’m going back to MM2 using GL and copy/paste into DW CS5.
Need to write a detailed desc. on how to do this… For me (CRS).. will do and share.
This will continue to work so long as I/we can use GL on the latest Mac OS.
Prayers go out to you Janet.
ron
April 5th, 2011 at 4:42 am
Rob, doing this thing called “life” is choosing priorities. Wake up now or hit the snooze button. Bagel or cereal. Do I become a programmer, or construction worker. Etc.
None of those really mean a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things, but do I cut back on my other activities or do I help my partner, my wife. I wish all of life had such easy (albeit not wished for) choices.
I’m very very sad to hear of this, you have my wishes and my hopes. And from this blog, it also looks like you have a LOT of support. I hope that our thoughts and wishes help. Please pass on our love for Janet to her.
April 26th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
hi rob,
i`m so sorry to here that bad news, but you are right, family comes first.
but what about your financial situation? i just have the idea, that many of us would pay much more then the “normal price” for the new version working with dreamweaver.
because:
we could help you
and because it is the best extension i have ever used.
just make a poll, how much the people would pay for mm3.
i wish you,janet and your family all the best.
kind regards from good old germany
atti
May 1st, 2011 at 11:25 am
4.30.11-
dear janet and rob,
after waiting for an answer to one of my help requests for a couple of days, i began to worry about you.
i looked up your blog and unfortunately, learned that my worries were not unfounded. i am so sorry to read about janet’s illness. you two have been so amazingly kind, patient and helpful with my questions, and bailed me out on so many occasions. your product is the best and i have used it ever since i’ve done websites. janet, dear janet, my prayers are with you and rob. you two come first. we all understand that you are what’s important right now, and you’ve given more support than any – truly ANY company in the industry! thank you so much for giving us the straight scoop, and please know we are all pulling for you both.
with much love,
pat-flying colors of naples.
July 23rd, 2011 at 1:51 am
Mac OS 10.7 no longer supports PowerMac apps.. Of which Golive CS2 (V
is based.
I am unable to find GoLive CS3 9 which I understand is Intel compatible.
Sooo I guess MM is dead.
Anybody know where I can get GL 9, let me know.
Thanks, Ron
July 25th, 2011 at 2:36 am
You are right, with 10.7 not having Rosetta, GL and with it MM2 are toast. GLCS3 was online download only and Adobe isn’t going to reissue. And, MM3 is looking like vaporware.
One option, albeit costly, is to buy an external drive. Either clone your internal drive on to it with Super Duper or CCC; or put a new system on the external and use Time Machine and Migration to bring it up to date. When you need GL and MM, or any of the other defunct programs, you need only restart from the old system.
MM3 would solve the problem but don’t hold your breath on ever seeing it. It was a good run, but from the looks of it, the run is over and has been for some time.
July 29th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
The other option is that if you have VMWare Fusion, you can install Mac OS X 10.6 Server as a virtual machine, and then install GL in the virtual machine. That’s what I’m doing.
July 29th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
That said, I wish someone would buy MM from Rob, and get a new version finished.
August 12th, 2011 at 12:07 am
GL 9 works with Lion and I’m hoping to upgrade. Anyone using MM and GL 9 on Lion successfully?
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Lion + GL9 + MM2 work fine for me.
September 1st, 2011 at 2:54 am
Sergio: WHERE DID YOU GET GL9?
September 1st, 2011 at 5:40 am
PACARON, well, a long time ago … Search in Pirate Bay or Demonoid.
October 20th, 2011 at 4:13 am
I’m hoping the Steam Engine hasn’t run out of steam…
I’ve found many other tools to create the newer more flexible CSS based menus but I’m always looking forward to how Menu Machine products could improve the production of that process in the same way that the iPhone improved upon the smart phone.
So shovel some coal into that Steam Engine, get it powered up and make a difference. Hope things are going well Rob.
October 31st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
All the best to you Rob and particularly to Janet. I hope that you both know that we love your product but that we understand working on it can’t be at the top of your priority list right now.
Meanwhile, thanks to other users who have made some great suggestions re Lion on this blog.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:39 am
I’ve been using OpenCube Quickmenu for over a year now, and am pretty satisfied with it. It’s not pretty and Mac-like, but it’s very powerful. And it costs almost $400 for an unlimited license.
November 25th, 2011 at 8:06 am
I know well what the health of a loved one, and in particular one’s wife, can do to one’s “obligations” acquired over the years. My wife has been ill since 1996, and it continues to evolve and worsen. I’m now almost as housebound as she is because she needs more care.
To the MenuMachine discussion… I became “hooked” on your product, and when Adobe abandoned GoLive for Dreamweaver I didn’t know what I was going to do. I now bounce between the two apps so I can continue to use MenuMachine via GoLive. At first my resistance to going to Dreamweaver fully was how used to GoLive I had become, not that Dreamweaver has a steep learning curve, but more that I just don’t have the time to do it. And, being self-taught, probably doesn’t help either (although I’ve done some online classes on Dreamweaver) but I don’t get to use the power of Dreamweaver without learning it.
I’m a patient person and hope that one day MenuMachine goes forward. But, family comes first – my mantra. I spend a lot more time at my laptop now than I used to because I can be available for any health emergency compared to being in my computer room and possibly missing a call from my wife.
Hang in there buddy. You have my support and understanding.
November 25th, 2011 at 8:12 am
To PACARON SAYS:
JULY 23RD, 2011 AT 1:51 AM
Mac OS 10.7 no longer supports PowerMac apps.. Of which Golive CS2 (V is based.
I am unable to find GoLive CS3 9 which I understand is Intel compatible.
Sooo I guess MM is dead.
Anybody know where I can get GL 9, let me know.
Thanks, Ron
GoLive 9 still works with Lion. I thought it didn’t but it is a Universal app and works. I screwed up by not deactivating my old version when I upgraded my G5 to a Mac Pro, and today is Thanksgiving and they aren’t open until Saturday – hope it isn’t a hassle to get it activated on my Mac Pro.
Search Adobe for GoLive 9. Even though it has past its EOL, they may still be selling it for hold outs like us.
January 7th, 2012 at 6:10 am
One year since the last blog update. Looks like the Steam Engine has run out of steam. It’s been fun but it’s way past time to move on.
January 15th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Stay tuned for release date.
January 26th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Dave, don’t tease me.