yep, i got some Christmas presents too...i thought that would not be a problem, hence the reason i posted it in the first place. if i thought i was doing something wrong, i wouldn't have ratted myself out. after i bought presents for my kids, the donations kept coming, so i bought for my wife, then it kept coming...so i bought for myself....and more came, so i paid a truck note, our cell phone bill and Christmas dinner.

what i find sad is that people REALLY stepped up and helped me out, and some people were offended during the process. i was honest through the whole deal; i posted the number of people that gave, i gave thanks, and i posted what i bought for myself for Christmas. can't see the problem in that.

really, the whole superpack thing took on a life of it's own (as can be seen by the record number of views on this topic). people posted about the superpack on other forums that i didn't even know about and the donations started coming from people all over the world and not just brothers on this forum helping me out....and that's about the time it became a commodity.

i would think that my brothers here that have always enjoyed my free presets and advice would be backing me as this becomes a business that takes care of my family. but it seems like a few people just don't want me to grow beyond this forum. and why is it that some brothers that i have given so much to in the past feel the need to kick me now?

you are my brothers and always will be; because i sell presets and take donations doesn't mean that i will stop being part of this great site/brotherhood. i haven't forgotten those that helped me out over the years. how many times have any of you asked me to make you a custom preset? and i did it every time as fast as i could with no charge. this is what gave me the experience i needed to have a breakthrough and go bigger with it.

i'm asking that you guys be happy for me, and allow me to continue the good work that i've started.

i have received some email from the "singtall superpack group" and two pieces of advice really some it up for me:

1) Ross, there's an old saying. "if your good at something, never do it for free". If making presets allows you to provide for your family, who cares what anyone else thinks. You can throw out a free one now and again to show the quality of your work, but I don't think there's anything wrong with being paid for your time. Good luck bud.

2) Anybody that *EXPECTS* you to hand over presets for free after you've worked hard on them really needs to go screw themselves. Anybody that can afford the 11R and guitars, etc. can definitely fork over a little something for superior presets. Especially when you have a family, bills, and problems. Yes, you've gone BEYOND normal helpfulness by offering free presets....and multiple updates. You've made my 11R actually useful to me now when I use it.

You don't need to apologize or explain your reasons to anybody for charging whatever you want.....donation or set amount. Anybody that complains about it is probably downloading all their music for free as well.

I suggest you keep right on doing what you're doing.