CompuServe Messages

Tim: I've always refrained from discussing our business relationship here since it really wasn't anybody else's concern but ours. But since you've gone into detail, so will I. At the time we were approached by NewTek, we were licensing the FontBank type library to others. One of those licensees, selling a product priced similarly to the Video Toaster, paid us a royalty of $20 per unit. NewTek negotiated an agreement to license the FontBank product in exchange for a "high-end" video editing system including the Video Toaster. Street rumor has it that NewTek sold anywhere from 8,000 to 80,000 Video Toaster 3.x units. At $20 a unit royalty, that would have amounted to between $160,000 and $1,600,000 in revenue to us. Even at our lowest royalty of the time, on products that sold for far, far less, the equivalent royalty income would have been between $40,000 and $400,000. I think any reasonable person would conclude that you got one hell of a bargain, a truly special deal. Unfortunately, I don't think I did. The original system supplied was anything but "high-end" and I've got the expert opinions supporting that contention. All I've ever wanted in exchange for the license was a system on which I could cut action, matching movements to the exact frame. Use whatever term you want to describe the process, but I don't think there can be any misunderstanding as to intent. "I do it all the time, and so do other editors using all kinds of systems. Actually the golf club example was YOUR example in case you've forgotten our conversation. The Flyer works and has always worked the way I described it in that conversation." Indeed it was my example – and I'd like to see you do it on the Flyer in one try. "Honestly, I don't understand you're obsession with the "tail on preview" feature." Call that feature whatever you want to: without it, you can't seriously cut action or match frames on the Flyer without engaging in a "trial-and-error" process. "If you would like a preliminary copy with the "tail on preview", that could be arranged. It will not be bug-free. Let me know if you'd like to try it." Absolutely! I've volunteered for the beta list before and while I most certainly lack the expertise of others in many areas, I certainly can be of assistance in working out any bugs in a "tail on preview" process or whatever you want to call it. Believe it or not, Tim, I am a major big time NewTek supporter. I think the Video Toaster is the cat's meow and that the Flyer definitely has potential. Moreoever, I feel a fellowship with every other entrepreneur who faces well-heeled competitors and is always just a step ahead of the marketplace. By the same token, I feel that I gave NewTek an incredibly sweet deal when licensing our fonts – and I don't feel that spirit has been fully reciprocated – and I am just plain tired of waiting. Your eternal supporter, Jerry