Updates yearly versus several times a year, or sometimes several times a month … hmm I wonder why you'd even bring this one back up in my face. Granted, they have been on the current version for a while (when you compare it with previous releases), except for the development one, which has been updated frequently.
Freeware is a misnomer when referring to GNU software, in my opinion, as freeware does not necessarily mean it's 'free' in the senses one might think (and much freeware is full of nasty things like spyware, adware, solicitations, and so forth—although I admit commercial software often has many of the same things—not meaning to imply as to whether Finale does—and once in a while you might see something like that in the open source realm, but ne'er so often).
I'm not sure what you mean by comprehensive, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with what can and cannot be engraved onto the sheet music. I'm guessing you're referring to the no midi keyboard entry thing I mentioned. Actually, you can set Lilypond up for keyboard entry—I didn't know that before, though. However, I assume there is a learning curve, as it does involve third-party software (and is not built into Lilypond), but I don't know—I don't have a keyboard for the purpose, anyway. But that does go to show that Lilypond is popular enough to have people writing third party software for it (there is quite a bit, actually; you can actually get point and click interfaces for Lilypond—although they may or may not be difficult to set up initially; I imagine that has improved since I last tried, and will continue to improve).
As far as the learning curve of Lilypond itself goes, if you've already learned one thing, kudos to you if you don't want to learn another. However, I don't believe for a second that learning Finale in the beginning is any easier than learning Lilypond in the beginning (except for psychologically), even if Finale is point and click. I'd more likely believe it of Sibelius, from things I've heard (but even there, I have doubts). I'd take typing in a text file over tons of forms and wizards any day—those I think are harder to remember than the commands to type (but to each his own—you may prefer the forms and wizards).
As far as the non-standard take on things goes, you should understand that open source software is here to stay. It won't disappear unless the Internet does. If a company goes bankrupt, its software normally disappears—for the rest of your life, and copyright, as well as stubborn companies, tend to reinforce that. Which one has a better chance of being standard in the long run, in such a case? Granted, I doubt Finale and Sibelius are about to go under any time soon, although I wouldn't count out the possibility—some financial thing could strike out of the blue as they do with companies.
I hope you know by now that I'm not just using Lilypond because I don't want to spend money. The only reason (I might have a few other similar reasons, actually) I would ever buy Finale (even if I had an unlimited supply of money) would be to learn more about how 'other' people do it (since it is popular and all, and it's good to relate to their methods, for conversational sake).
I've already learned pretty much everything I need to know in Lilypond, and it's not hard to learn whatever else I need to know (although it was pretty hard at first, for some things, seeing as I'm very particular in how I want things to show up). Writing in pencil? You must think this really is some cheapo program (and believe me, I have tried the sort you're thinking of). Lilypond is quite fit for professional use, mind you.
I'm not meaning to say that Lilypond is definitely the best choice for everyone, but it is certainly something to consider, as $500–700 is a lot of money for some people (especially when learning Lilypond would take less time, and be more fun, than earning the money). I know Finale and Sibelius aren't always that expensive, but keep in mind I am talking about the editions legal to use for commercial purposes. I would feel too constrained if I couldn't use it commercially, whether or not I actually used it that way—and no, I'm not about the break the agreement on that one.
Now, I hope you don't discount the other emerging music engraving software out there. There is some software that looks like it has a lot of potential (and that to which I refer is also free, and open source), but I'm currently satisfied with Lilypond enough that I haven't bothered to look into them more, yet—and, I can respect it if you feel the same about your software and Lilypond, which it seems you do.
I think when i got mine the going price was $600 but with the ed. discount i got it for like $200.
