We all knew this was coming, right? Movable Type was too popular — and frankly, too good — to remain free forever.

Tim Appnel nails it: MT 3.0 is for developers and larger organizations, and not for the casual blogger. I’d agree that new restrictions on number of weblogs/authors is arguably a downgrade for existing MT users. It’s a shame that MT 2.x and not 3.0 is the end of the free ride.

But, whatever. When I donated a few years ago, I gave way more than the $70 personal license fee they’re asking for now. I think I got every penny’s worth, and then some. I doubt there’s much more I could possibly want from a weblogging tool.

As to the much-ballyhooed mass exodus of indignant MT users, I offer this ancedote:

I saw Ani DiFranco speak at SXSW this year, and she mentioned something worth repeating. Or, worth paraphrasing.

When it first became known that the openly bisexual DiFranco had gotten married to a man(!!!), there was more than a bit of shock and outrage from the core of fans that regarded her as a spokesperson for gay youth.

When asked about how this affected her, Ani admitted that although the majority of the fan response was supportive, there was still the ocassional sting of invective: traitor, liar, et cetera. In the end she shrugged it off, saying “at some point you’ve got to let that go, and focus on the people still in the room.”

Previously: They’re Here. They’re Purple.

Next: Guitar Pickin’ Martyrs!