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From: ty@springs.cis.ufl.edu (Tyng-Jing Yang)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Dissatisfaction with NeXT the company
Message-ID: <TY.91Jan19194345@springs.cis.ufl.edu>
Date: 20 Jan 91 00:43:45 GMT
References: <1991Jan19.200318.10586@macc.wisc.edu>
Sender: news@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU
Organization: UF CIS Department
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In-reply-to: anderson@macc.wisc.edu's message of 19 Jan 91 20:03:18 GMT


It seems that I'm not the only one who complains about NeXT Inc.
Before I say more, I have to say I love my NeXTCube ;-) though I even
try to put it on yard sale(yeh, shame on me).

The following list is the common problem/complains appeared in this newsgroup
(during last year& half) and my own opinion.

1. X
   We finally (almost) have X server as a "Migration path"
   (NeXT said that). It was a wrong decision not support a
   "brain damage" window in the beginning.(to be humble 
   to its enemy, I mean).
  
2. Modem  
   People keep asking "How to connect a modem ?" again and again.
   NeXT should have a chapter on "Installing Modem" in user manual.
   I still don't know how to let other guys dial-in my cube.
   There are two or three post on Modem's dial-in and dial-out but
   I spent serveral weekend nights and still can't make it.
   NeXT should clarify this problem .
 
3. Poor Documentation/programming books 
    A. "Printed NeXT Tech. Dos 1.0a" 
       This Docs set made me upset very much. It definitely is
       the best but diffcult "for me" to read/learn from this Docs set
       I'm counting on New 2.0 Docs set which is better and with
       index(thanks God).
    B. "The NeXT BooK" which is too old(0.9 version).
       I hope the author can come out 2.0 edition.
    C. "The NeXT Bible" is an introductory book. It doesn't teach me
       NeXT prgramming.
    D. "Object-Oriented Programming: An Evolution Approach",Brad J. Cox.
       By reading this Book, I found out that there  are two kind of
       Object-C: StepStone's Object-C and NeXT's Object-C. 
       BTW, IBM's NeXTStep adopt StepStone's Object-C so here is the
       problem, Which Object-C will you follow ? 

    E. C++ seems the right programming language to follow
       but to my knowledge, no book about "C++ progamming on NeXT"
       and How serious is NeXT Inc. on C++ programming ?

4. Poor Upgrade policy
   I don't hwo NeXT distribute those hot 68040 CPUs. It seems most
   people like s/w upgrade first.
   Why not send 2.0 Extened s/w OD to those who order 2.0 upgrade.
   I try to add up the money I spent on NeXT including 040 upgrade 
   , floppy drive. It make me feel guilty to spent such big money
   and still is a NeXT user (not a NeXT programmer).

5. Qestionable Component quality
   I saw posts about Dead CPU, Hard disk, Mouse problem. Well, it is
   understandable for there is no perfect quality control even some of
   the components(keyboard,mouse,monitor,OD driver,OD) are made by Japan.
 
The problem made me very unhappy is that My OD driver in NeXTcube 
will died of "Sucking in too much dust" SOME DAY. This is obviously a
"wrong system design" from NeXT Inc. Extending warranty from 3 month 
to 1yr doesn't solve the problem. 

6. Arrogant silence in this newgroup
   Frequency of NeXT's voice on comp.sys.next are countable.
   
7. Poor customer service
   My experience of customer service from 800-NeXT or ask-next is good.
   from the bookstore I bought is fair.
   From the Bland is poor.
   
Tyng-Jing Yang