This is a multi-part message in MIME format. -- [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ] I dont really have a problem with HOW or WHEN updates are rolled out and I fully understand that these updates are FREE. I too work in the industry for one of the largest IT companies in existence and I have actually written lots of world-class software for a number of our large customers over the past 15 years. I have been in this industry since 1978 and I am currently teaching GUI Development, .NET Programming Languages, and MS Office Automation courses in the evenings at a major world-class university. I mention this not to brag, but to qualify my professional and expert opinions on the sad state of affairs that exists.
What I have a problem with is the release of software that purports to fix prior problems AND ADDS ENHANCEMENTS FOR FUTURE PRODUCTS but then breaks existing software and takes it lightly or passes it off because IT IS FREE. Frankly any number of my colleagues and I would have been either fired or relegated to some pasture in the organization if I or we had done the same even once. But this philanthropist software company, in all its good intentions, seems to either not believe in or is too busy to bother with a little thing like FULL PRODUCT TESTING BEFORE RELEASE! At a minimum, I would think that they could solicit volunteer beta testers from amongst the ranks of real users. I, for one, would gladly volunteer my services to test releases prior to distribution. I also know several players, mappers, and server admins all over the world who would probably volunteer. To make matters worse, some of these updates are MANDATORY. MANDATORY BREAKAGE of even a FREE product is ludicrous. First they broke the mani admin plugin. Yes that is 3rd party software and they are not responsible for keeping 3rd parties updated on what changes they are making. I accept the mani breakage as not being within their realm (After all, I can certainly rely on the fact that Mani is very good and fast at fixing what they break.) But now they break HAMMER!! Yes, another FREE tool I know. But I am dead in the water with my map creation and maintenance now that I get the infamous Extra App ID set to 211, but no SteamAppId error. And, if I had a chance to test the update on one of my two test servers here at home prior to updating my development box and 3 rental servers and had the ability to postpone or deny any updates, I would still be happy making and enhancing maps as would my users, i.e., the other CUSTOMERS of this philanthropist company. Cest La Vie -- _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
