Hello,
Keil support did not reply yet - but am I correct in assuming that RL-ARM is now a part of MDK, and that each user needs to have a RL-ARM license paid for separately in order to be able to use FlashFS/TCPNet etc. (many samples in MDK 4.20 are broken, but the one that I did manage to compile failed to link complaining that my license is insufficient - that did not happen with MDK 4.14 !) ? If so, this is a HUGE expense. If my boss asks for my opinion (and I think he will) - we're going open source!
An open letter to Keil/ARM:
"Dear Madam/Sir,
Our local distributer of the Keil/ARM tool-chain has informed us that we better upgrade our tools soon because the prices of the RL-ARM library license is going up from 3400 euro per seat to 4190 euro per seat starting 1st of April.
With all due respect, I must point out to you that this is entirely unacceptable. I have a lot of respect for your mostly excellent tools, but I believe that in this particular instance you are hurting your own core business: There is a large number of commercial and indeed, outstanding open source alternatives available with more of less comparable functionality and occasionally with better documentation. I believe that a significant number of small to medium companies will refuse to pay these prices, and will search and find more cost effectives ways to get the job done . I cannot speak for others - but I can tell you that this is most definitely the trend of my employer. You're playing with fire! Wasn't your stated goal to promote the usage of low cost 32-bit microcontrollers? Do you really believe this pricing policy coalesces with this goal?
Kind regards,
Tamir Michael"