I’ve had a post from @Tokoloshe bookmarked about ToolKaiser for quite awhile. It’s used for making custom foam inserts from pictures of tools. Today, I finally had a reason to use it but when I went to the site, there was no longer a link to the app.
You can still access it at LayOut (toolkaiser.herokuapp.com) but it looks like it’s not going to stay free. Based off a post on Reddit, it sounds like they plan to launch a KickStarter in August.
This is the popup when you open it.
Bummer.
Free is a hard business model to sustain.
Hopefully this will be positive and not that new word a sibling’s kid taught me: Enshitification.
He wanted to disable it this month, but I am glad he didn’t. I will definitely support the Kickstarter.
It’s good at what it does. I wouldn’t object to paying a modest amount to keep using it.
Yea, I’m willing to back the Kickstarter if the price is reasonable.
Hi, I think the app is still available. Just navigate to the ‘About’ tab on the main website.
@skudekar I can see you have been active around here. Thanks so much for developing ToolKaiser. 
One hint for your website: You need some information like contact details etc. as to not run into legal troubles via the Digital Services Act in the EU. 
Hi Philipp, thanks so much for supporting toolKaiser. I am no longer the owner of toolKaiser. I sold it just a few months back, but I will convey your message to new owner.
Oh, interesting. Thanks a lot for that information. Maybe financially the right decision. Must have been hard to let go.
Well, to be completely transparent, given the effort I put in to build toolKaiser, I made very little on the sale. But it was the right thing to do because then at least someone will be able to keep it running and push the tech ahead, because I know it is valuable to the community.
Just got this update that the Kickstarter is starting October 1st. I confirmed via Discord that the prices are one time purchases.
Hi ToolKaiser Subscribers,
Thank you for following along, we’re almost to the Launch Day October 1st! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gridmat/toolkaiser
We’ve given some sneak peeks of the new application on Instagram, but if you’re looking for more, join us on Discord. ToolKaiser
I’m happy to announce our pricing:
Early Bird Discount: 50% off at $25
Not as early Bird Discount: 30% off at $35
Kickstarter Discount: 15% off at $42.50Limited Lifetime Commercial License: $1000
Get in early for the best price! and please share this project with anyone you think would be interested. The success of this product hinges on a successful kickstarter campaign. We look forward to working with you.
Thanks,
-Eli Rogers (Owner of ToolKaiser)
I am sceptical, to say the least, $1000 for a commercial license? Also, I haven‘t seen anything new about this version that the old one couldn‘t do. I‘d want it to run on my machine and not need a server, that would be nice.
I’m not sure what new features there are. There were some discussions about 3d printing but it wouldn’t be hard to extruder that. It makes sense that it would cost more if you were using it commercially. If I can get it at an early bird price, I’ll back it. If not, still probably at some point.
Too late?
I should probably try that out first.
Closing old topics to limit spambots