Did StableBit go out of business? (I hope not)

[bmelloni]

I have been migrating to a new computer and was getting excellent support from StableBit, but I encountered a problem transferring my DrivePool license to the new computer and posted a follow-up question.   A whole week passed with no response.  This is unusual of StableBit... they typically respond within a day or less. 

I made a separate new ticket just in case their support system glitched, but I must admit I am worried.  There are only 2 weeks left on the temporary "evaluation" license that I'm using until I can activate my permanent license.  If they are gone I need to dismantle the pool pronto and use RAID instead, but I am resisting a panic reaction.   

Anybody know if all is still good at StableBit and this is just a communication disconnect?

[Thronic]

A lot of open-ended threads as well - some pretty serious. Maybe they're getting a bit overwhelmed, they're only 2 after all. AFAIK.

[servonix]

Given that stablebit drivepool and scanner are relatively uh "stable"peices of software I'd like to think that Alex and Chris are working a lot behind the scenes to fix some of the more esoteric or critical issues with the software.

While it would be nice to get some official answers, I wouldn't go all doom and gloom just yet. Remember, it's mainly two people behind the scenes with a couple of volunteer mods for relatively niche (but awesome) software.

Regardless I certainly hope stablebit isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's one of the main reasons I've kept my primary homeserver on windows. After 12+years I can't imagine using anything else.

I've got an Unraid server as well. As flexible as it is, it has its own issues/drawbacks, so it's only used for backups. There are some things drivepool just does better (at least for my setup)

[Christopher (Drashna)]

For any and all licensing requests, you should always head to https://stablebit.com/Contact first.

And for these, we should get to licensing tickets within the day or so.  And for support tickets, within a business day or so.

I say "or so", given time zones, scheduling, etc.  It may not be exactly a day.

 

If it takes longer than that, please feel free to bump the ticket, or email me directly at christopher@covecube.com. 

 

On 6/4/2025 at 11:42 AM, Thronic said:

A lot of open-ended threads as well - some pretty serious. Maybe they're getting a bit overwhelmed, they're only 2 after all. AFAIK.

(sorry, this may/does get a bit ranty)

Some of those threads, we've looked into the issues, and can't reproduce.  So without being able to do so, it is very hard to a) verify that the issue exists, b) verify that the issue is actually related to our software, and c) address the issues.   

And there is only so many ways to say that before it sounds canned and/or condescending.   

That said, if we could "wave our hands and make the issues go away", we'd absolutely do so (and not in a "delete the thread and pretend it never happened" sort of way). 

Also, in general, I have personally found forums and other public places a bad place to to do support.  Too much dogpiling of issues that may not actually be related.   And this isn't something that is strictly related to StableBit DrivePool.  I've seen it in open source projects I've worked on too, for instance.   It makes things messier and harder to actually deal with real issues.  One on one is always ideal for support.  If there are paterns that emerge, that can be reported on internally, and much more naturally/organically.  Eg, "Hey, I have these few tickets that are exhibiting the same or very similar behavior, so there definitely looks to be an issue here" sort of thing (which has happened a number of times).

 

[bmelloni]

Thanks Christopher, I used the https://stablebit.com/Contact page first... first in an existing ticket, then on a new ticket, before I got worried when I got no response whatsoever for at least a week or two and posted here, because in the past your responses were always quite prompt.  

I just emailed you.  I only have a few days left on the temporary license and I am close to panicking.  All of my work is now on the new computer drivepool and having it stop working due to an expired temporary license when I can't activate my permanent one... would be devastating.