I try to "chip" in where I can. I would hope I'm not viewed as a "user", but as a contributor.
However I am (also) not participating in the "official" beta test of DXP. Unofficially, I do report bugs in the release software as I see them. I think what I have reported has been valuable to them, and to us. Indeed I have 3-4 e-mail's asking for my participation in the Beta program. And I'm *really, really, good* at breaking stuff. :P So, why do I choose not to participate? #1 - downloading 90Megs+ (or so...) on a dialup takes all day. #2 - It seems rather silly to be put under an NDA, on something that is due out in the next 30-60 days anyway. Fill it in and fax it back and deal with the legalese? Na. Thanks, I do hardware, not Law. #3 - I'd have to re-download the final product (another 90 Megs+) all over again. #4 - sometimes there have been problems in the past getting the release installed correctly, after having installed demo or pre-release versions. The uninstall/install programs have not always cleaned up and handled this gracefully. #5 - Based on past experience (when I have participated), reported issues seemed to survive into the release anyway, especially if a target release date is approaching, or the Beta cycle is near the end. It has been somewhat unusual for a 2nd or 3rd prerelease to be issued. So, what difference does it really seem to make? I can find the problems now, or I can find them 30-60 days from now. It seems that only if what is found is so egregious, is a beta cycle ever re-started. #6 - How many problems can one find in the first 2 hours of getting a release? Why is this? #7 - How many historical reported problems still exit even to this day? Speaking of Oz, I am reminded of a scene from one of the Paul Hogan "Crocodile Dundee" series where they are discussing talking over problems with "our mates". The line goes something to the effect of "We get the problem out in the open, No more problem". The NDA's would not seem to assist in getting the problems out into the open. Perhaps that's why there still are some. IW> But it is OK for others to do this? Like lots of us do. IW> In Oz there is a term for people that make use of other's efforts without IW> putting something back into the community - a "User". It is not considered IW> a flattering term. Hopefully you do something else for your community. IW> (Coach some junior sport maybe? Help old ladies across the street? Put on a IW> tight outfit and battle the Joker in Gotham City?) IW> Ian -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.290 / Virus Database: 265.4.1 - Release Date: 11/19/04 ____________________________________________________________ You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum To Post messages: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe and Other Options: http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
