The idea that each feature in a software package costs $50 to develop is, of course, nonsense.<p>But... I've worked for a couple of companies that don't allow their developers (such as myself) to talk directly to their clients because any feature requests that come up in those discussions throw off project management planning and projected timelines. When you are trying to convince management that their developers should be working on XYZ feature, it is a much different world than an individual requesting a feature in such a way that it is an insult to the software developer.<p>Also, I don't know that my pride has ever been hurt by a feature request, but maybe that is because I'm used to working in a corporate environment and my core development strategy is not always "to make great software that delights people".