3 ms·

This probably sounds like a strange comment/question, but one of the reasons I haven't moved over to gitlab is that I know that it is unlikely that I will every

This probably sounds like a strange comment/question, but one of the reasons I haven't moved over to gitlab is that I know that it is unlikely that I will every be a paying customer. I actually don't mind that much about the performance issues (because I really just want cloudy git storage), but I don't like to take something for free unless I know the person giving it really wants to give it... So as strange as it sounds, are you happy with people like me moving to GitLab even though it may compound your performance problems?

chrismorgan 10y ago
Networking effects are serious stuff. If you use it, you’re more likely to recommend it to others—or for public stuff, others will see you using it—and then they’ll start using it. And some of them will pay.
- sytse 10y ago
  Exactly, free users can create familiarity with your product and awareness of your brand. We have a section about how to overcome the network effects https://about.gitlab.com/strategy/#sequence https://about.gitlab.com/strategy/#sequence
sytse 10y ago
We're very happy with people moving to GitLab.com. We just want to warn them that it will take us time to sort out the performance problems. And over time we'll start monetizing it more, see https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-com/#free-forever https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-com/#free-forever for more information.
- mikekchar 10y ago
  Thanks for that. Your link was actually useful because I didn't realise that you do builds as well. It is entirely possible that at some point this will be useful to me, so maybe I will become a paying customer after all. And if I can just say, the more actual services you add to your system (as opposed to SaaS features), the more likely I am to become a paying customer. For me, I really value free software. I'm not so interested in paying for proprietary SaaS features, and receiving free services. I'd much, much rather pay for services and use free software. Whether you can build a business around customers like me, I don't know, but I just wanted to make sure that you know there are at least some of us out there.

chrismorgan 10y ago

Networking effects are serious stuff. If you use it, you’re more likely to recommend it to others—or for public stuff, others will see you using it—and then they’ll start using it. And some of them will pay.

sytse 10y ago
Exactly, free users can create familiarity with your product and awareness of your brand. We have a section about how to overcome the network effects https://about.gitlab.com/strategy/#sequence https://about.gitlab.com/strategy/#sequence

sytse 10y ago

We're very happy with people moving to GitLab.com. We just want to warn them that it will take us time to sort out the performance problems. And over time we'll start monetizing it more, see https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-com/#free-forever https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-com/#free-forever for more information.

mikekchar 10y ago
Thanks for that. Your link was actually useful because I didn't realise that you do builds as well. It is entirely possible that at some point this will be useful to me, so maybe I will become a paying customer after all. And if I can just say, the more actual services you add to your system (as opposed to SaaS features), the more likely I am to become a paying customer. For me, I really value free software. I'm not so interested in paying for proprietary SaaS features, and receiving free services. I'd much, much rather pay for services and use free software. Whether you can build a business around customers like me, I don't know, but I just wanted to make sure that you know there are at least some of us out there.