It's really due to the fact once you provide the green light to the "go live" folks in turn treat it as an RTM, even though the words BETA are staring you in the face. This then results in us being beaten up the moment we bring out the dreaded "breaking changes" as at times before we go RTM, we'll need to patch areas of the beta that need patching (thus the role of beta in software). This in has turned what we perceived as being a positive into a negative, as well, "I went live!!!" is the usual response (not to mention the impact you place on the end user whom installs the plug-in).
The problem however is in order to not only go-live on a said date, you then have to notify the current customers/partners/developers whom do have the go-live, provide them time to patch their said solutions and all the while not giving the competition or press a heads-up on when you expect to go live. As once you give away that piece of information, you effectively ruin most of your chances to broadcast to those whom have been waiting for the RTM that we've in fact gone RTM. The press then will talk about it more, but at the same time will call the competition to get their counter quotes on why the said release is bad (of course it's bad, as it's competing with them right?). In having an element of surprise, you deflate the competitors chances of responding with prescribed negativity (which I think is redundant and reminds me of the shadow opposition in parliament) whilst at the same time increase the chances of making an impact, thus in turn all folks whom have adopted also get maximized marketing potential as then it's less of a "what is Silverlight?" question being asked with your peers, customers and partners. We managed to do all the above perfectly last time in terms of partner readiness, great PR and marketing buzz and also didn't break everyone's releases overnight - and catching our competitors by surprise. (w00t!!!). This time, we want to be smarter and surprise you all a bit more :) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Miguel Madero Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 12:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Blend 3 Why was it a nightmare last time? ________________________________ Support procedure: https://www.codify.com/lists/support List address: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subscribe: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Unsubscribe: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> List FAQ: http://www.codify.com/lists/ozsilverlight Other lists you might want to join: http://www.codify.com/lists -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support procedure: https://www.codify.com/lists/support List address: [email protected] Subscribe: [email protected] Unsubscribe: [email protected] List FAQ: http://www.codify.com/lists/ozsilverlight Other lists you might want to join: http://www.codify.com/lists
