The VIP program and its levels, as well as its role in the alpha rollout, are maddeningly unclear.
It would be nice to know:
what the levels are;
whether the prices quoted are per major version, per year, or for the lifetime of use;
when and how users can upgrade or downgrade service to a different VIP level;
if "free now" means free during the alpha phase or free until some renewal comes due; and
if alpha testers are locked into the levels they came in at for the duration of the alpha test or if they'll be able to upgrade/downgrade within the alpha phase.
I also can't help wondering:
Will all MX5 users be at one of the three VIP levels, or will there be non-VIP users?
Will there be any non-paid use of MX5? If not, how's that going to affect the spread and promotion of MX5?
Is there going to be premium access to customer service and tech support for VIP users?
I'm not opposed to paying for Maxthon. I suggested it as a revenue-generating option years ago and am quite happy with some of the paid software I use. But if I find myself paying (especially for the multiple accounts I use for work and family!), my expectations for performance and bug-fixing are going to go up. ;)