thanks for checking in, turbo!
i closed the beta download, because i wasn't getting any feedback and realized that i probably needed to be more specific in my request for BETA testers (help me track bugs) rather than just putting out a BETA version. i see someone else posted a thread asking specifically for BETA testers... think i'll do something similar - a memorial day weekend bug hunt or something - june 1st is fast approaching.
you're right - i probably scared people away with the UGLY expiration. i should have been more clear - it doesn't wipe out the blog, and all posts will remain (if that's what a user wants), it just doesn't add anymore and needs to be deleted. kind of moot right now though.
finally, regarding the ebay api developer id - yep, everyone needs to apply to get one (but they hand them out to every applicant, though I would recommend getting one before buying the plugin). my thought there is someone has already figured out how to apply to either EPN or PJN, applying for another system shouldn't be too challenging. my braindead cousin managed to do it in five minutes, so that makes me pretty confident that the average user can mangage. i agree that it's an extra step, but it's really in the users best interest because then they get up to 5000 calls a day guaranteed. i could try and get the app (or at least my app id) approved for a production licesne which allows for 1.5 million calls a day (then cap api calls from users myself), and that might happen, but for right now it requries everyone to have their own developer id.
after an insane weekend of road tripping and a few days playing catch up, i haven't had much time to spend with this project. looking forward to the long weekend to bang out some serious progress.