> just pay the author the $7

It's not about the $7. I can even pay $20. It's about the principle of being against nagware. If the author had asked for a donation in a non-obstructive way, that would've worked.

Isn't so nice that the 1980-2000's distribution models are back, as there doesn't seem to be any other way to get folks to pay for tools?

It is either that, or a SaaS wall.