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From: george@swbatl.sbc.com (George Nincehelser 5-6544)
Subject: Re: ** Watchout for the Abaton Interfax **
Message-ID: <1991May1.143507.28736@swbatl.sbc.com>
Organization: Southwestern Bell Advanced Technology Laboratory
References: <1991Apr30.232823.29984@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> <1991May1.005715.3439@swbatl.sbc.com> <1991May1.080409.25352@silvlis.com>
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 14:35:07 GMT

In article <1991May1.080409.25352@silvlis.com> jimb@silvlis.com (Jim Budler) writes:
>
>Like he said, get real. Microsoft has vastly more resources available
>than CE has.

Poor excuse and illogical.  Small companies can often respond quicker than
larger companies.  Why?  Because their leaner and meaner.

>Microsoft's answer up to the point they shipped Excel 3.0 was "We're
>shipping no new versions until System 7 releases". Does it sound less
>lame when they use the same reason?

No, but they are releasing their upgrade before the official release.
Actions mean much more than words. 

>The difference is that Microsoft probably had the resource to prepare
>quicker to the changes between "Final Candidate" 1 through n. 

The changes weren't that drastic and unforseen.

>>More than developers have legit copies of System 7.  Major customers have
>>them, too.
>
>Wrong. Major customers who have *legitimate* copies of System 7 *beta*
>or *FC* are customers with in-house development activity who have
>signed up as developers or beta sites. If they have chosen to treat
>this as an advance oportunity for End-User activity, they are still
>*supposed* to realise that they are in advance of release.

So?  What's your point?  Are you saying I don't have *legitimate* System 7?
I suggest you be careful with your accusations. 

>There is *no* logical reason to expect developers to have releases
>compatible with OS which haven't been released. There is every
>reason to expect them to make the effort to prepare for the release
>but no reason to expect them to anticipate.

Sorry.  *Legitimate* developers have had 7 for some time now.  There's little
reason for them not to release ugrades before or on the official release date.
If 7 wasn't so widely available and wasn't in beta for so long, I'd fell 
differently.

>Remember, Microsoft has shown their willingness to release an 'a'
>release to correct the bugs, maybe CE cannot afford that. 

I have releases from CE going up to 'h' to correct problems.  Obviously CE
is continuosly upgrading their product.

>Microsoft is a poor example historically. They have often had
>programs which failed with new releases. One time they *appear*
>to be ready and you hold them up as an example to castigate
>others.

So?  What's wrong with Microsoft finally getting it right?  Using your logic,
Microsoft should have always had the clout to get it right.  Why the change 
of argument?

Microsoft isn't the only one getting it right, they're just the only ones I
know of who are actually shipping.  I've got several product betas that are
working fine from companies other than Microsoft.  They'd go into general
release as they're bug-free as far as I can tell, but they act like they
would be breaking some rule if they started shipping.

I don't think there is such a rule since Microsoft is now shipping.  Either
that or Microsoft has just invited some more litigation from Apple.

>Just because you desire System 7 so badly, lets not change the
>rules. A "good" developer will have compatible releases at
>release of System 7 or within a few weeks. A "bad" developer
>will require months to be compatible.

I don't desire 7 badly since I've had it for some time now.  My gripe is
that many vendors are acting like 7 is some big secret.  It isn't.

One company I was looking into lost a sale when I asked them if their product
was 7 compatible.  The said no.  I asked them if they planned to be 7 
compatible, and, if so, roughly when.  They said they didn't know to both
parts.

There's no excuse for these kind of answers.  Either they plan to upgrade or
they don't.  A yes or no would be sufficient.

BTW, I have no gripe with CE or Abaton, they've served me quite well (although
32-bit clean isn't one of my major concerns).

-- 
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