.. More or less everything..
First off, to "rip off google". We try to live by the "Dont be evil" slogan, while we also would like to earn a PED or two. Without going into too much boring detail I have bought a server, database license, windows server license and a dedicated internet connection (50/50 mbit) to run the website and client. This alone is not cheap.
Furthermore I spend +4 hours average each and every single day coding the site, client, services, custom programming (take a look at Akoz's return of the golden age event for instance).
To not having to pay to be able to provide this service (monthly costs is about 65 USD atm - not counting in the "one time payments" for server/software) I would like to make a few PEDs running the site - so I can if nothing else, just pay for my expenses.
Initially I just had banners - priced at 50 PED / week.
But that gave me about 100 PED / month...
I then added the "donate 50 PED and become lifetime premium member".
That gave me quite a few PEDs, but it was an "one time" income - so that dident work in the long run.
I then implemented "micropayments" for new features - keeping the old "premium member features" payable with the "gift credits" the old premium members got (a lot of).
So, new features will be payable with only "real credits".
This is not really a viable income source either - since you guys are cheap asses..
(Also, im no better my self - That is to say I dont blame you)..
So, I came up with another income model (keeping all the old ones as well).
This model would rely on Planet Partners paying me.
So, now, if you run the Entropia Tracker Client on Rocktropia or Arkadia - those planets pay me a (very very) little amount per hour logged for you guys.
If you play for more than 20 hours on their planet per month, then you get EVERYTHING for free on the site.
(Except banners and some of the other "one time payment" things)
This is why the price structure is as it is. I honestly dont want you to "buy things" on the site. I want you to run the client for as many hours as possible on Rocktropia and Arkadia since then I will earn money - so I can pay to provide you the service.
IF you for some reason do not want to run the client the required amount of time - you still earn credits (and as mentioned, you earn them fast). Those credits you can decide to spend how you would like on the site. If you run the client for 1-2 hours per day, it should be enough to get access to what you want on the site.
Also, an added bonus of the agreement I have with Rocktropia and Arkadia is that those planets (Rocktropia is getting there) now also have full coverage.
More clients = better data.
If you would like to have your hours on Calypso count towards your "everything is free when I have been running the client for 20 hours on calypso"... Contact your favorite Calypso representative and tell him/her to answer my mail(s)!
To sum up. We are trying to create a business model where we can pay for the server costs per month, and perhaps earn a PED or two - while you get everythign for free. Thus "Dont be evil".
We try, but some times we do unintended stuff - and for that we are sorry.