The most renowned goal of Sveasoft's Alchemy firmware is the transmutation of it's GPL into either gold or silver. Unfortunately scientific method is to the philosopher's stone what TheIndividual is to James Ewing of Sveasoft. in case you need a quick wrap-up of the situation from a third party with a view different than mine try bordguru's.
First let me get out of the way the idea that GPL means free it doesn't. I know this and I agree that it shouldn't. after all that's what creative commons is for right? what I have a problem with here isn't the price for the subscription cost. $20 per year is cheap. access to support forums, e-mail support, and the right to download the latest beta firmware versions for Upgrading your Linksys WRT54G or GS including source is worth $20 a year. what bothers me is the frequency of stable releases. One can argue that it's just a guy coding in his free time but he does promise "turn your router into a powerhouse wÃth just a mouseclick".. it still stinks to me. In my opinion the beta process is being stretched to create more revenue for Sveasoft. The upcoming Talisman firmware is rumored to need an unlock code.
