RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread Patrick Childers
How much are we willing to pay?
 
It doesn't matter if it costs $5 or $5000 if the product doesn't work.
Especially when you, the developer, doesn't notice the problem for a month
and a half - especially when the problem has been reported by end users. Do
you not run your own product?
 
Maybe you don't realize this, but your whining customers put a level of
trust in your company whether you want it or not. This trust  is
automatic when you are dealing with A/V products that protect mail systems
and their networks. If you lose that trust, the cost won't matter. You won't
have enough customers to stay in business anyway.
 
Price you product at whatever you think you need to. The mail admins will
either buy it or they won't.
 
Maybe it's time for you to find another person to communicate with the list.
You certainly aren't giving your end users that warm and fuzzy feeling.
(IMO)
 
Regards,
 
~Patrick
 mailto:pchild...@hgbd.com  
 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?



Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.

 

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

 

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

 

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

 

Darin.

 

 

- Original Message - 

From: David Barker mailto:dbar...@declude.com  

To: declude.virus@declude.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM

Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread David Barker
Ok final comments on this.

1. For those who took my example of the decisions making process and
criticized it citing pre-release time of IMail 11 etc etc. If you think I
only have a choice between 2 options - where to dedicate my resources - you
missed the point. 

2. I fully agree with being proactive see point 1. The reality choosing
between what has to be done and what we would like to do.

3. Sandy’s options:

[a] dissolve the company as is – How does that benefit everyone ?

[b] sell the product to a developer – Show me the money!

[c] (re)package it as an owner-maintained, purpose-built software
tool  - Not enough demand.

[d] build up from there as needed – This is what I have opted for.

4. For customers who have a perpetual license but no service agreement the
expiration date of AVG is irrelevant as with no service agreement there are
no updates or virus signatures.

5. I agree there can always be improvements in the decision making process,
allocation of resources and creativity. The REAL issue is resources, how do
I know?? because I run this business and have all the information. 

So, I appreciate everyone's comments whether you agree or disagree is fine,
but what I have seen throughout this thread is that Talk is cheap not one
critic revealed how much they are willing to pay to help address the problem
going forward. The bottom line . you are not willing - and it's a good
thing I understand that, so I will continue to offer great service, a
product that works and at prices that would make the Salvation Army proud,
so please forgive me when sometimes things do go amiss.

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
dbar...@declude.com

 











From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Serge
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 7:55 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Hello David,
 
1- What will happen to those who have a perpetual licence but no SA on
2010-12-31
 
2- The prices and number of developpers is declude buisness, we cannot force
you one way or another
    but once you make your choice, we, the customers, make our decisions
based on factors, including price, quality, 
    so even if you want to blame low prices and lack of staff,, it is still
declude management fault, not the customers
 
that is not to say that i'm not satisfied with declude product and support
just dont agree with your logic
 
BR
 
Serge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Original Message - 
From: David Barker 
To: declude.virus@declude.com 
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:07 PM
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Andy,

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don’t happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
dbar...@declude.com



From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

Hi,

Dave – so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all –
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn’t obtain a new

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread David Barker
Sorry no marketing department to give you the warm and fuzzy spin, just me.

 

Couple of suggestions. Declude has the ability to run upto 5 additional cmd
line scanners of your choice, we provide AVG as a courtesy to our customers
as in the past Declude did not have any internal virus scanner, you would
have to go out and purchase that separately

 

It would be good to run more than 1 virus scanner for several reasons, one
of which is failure of an AV scanner, (admittedly in this instance failure
was on our part) But rest assured false positives, no virus signatures, lag
time are problems ALL AV vendors are faced with. There are some that are
free that work extremely well ClamWin or ClamAV is an example of this.

 

In addition we have ZEROHOUR as a option for Perpetual license customers as
an additional  virus scanners providing ZEROHOUR protection and additional
spam definitions. For the amount of money that this is being offered for it
is a wise investment. If you opted out of this because you didn't want to
spend the extra few $ on security then you have different issues and it's
not Declude.

 

Lastly Patrick please contact supp...@declude.com having looked at your host
record it does not look like you are receiving any AV updates - it could be
that your firewall is blocking the AV updates, our support can work with you
to fix that.


Thanks
David 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 9:13 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

How much are we willing to pay?

 

It doesn't matter if it costs $5 or $5000 if the product doesn't work.
Especially when you, the developer, doesn't notice the problem for a month
and a half - especially when the problem has been reported by end users. Do
you not run your own product?

 

Maybe you don't realize this, but your whining customers put a level of
trust in your company whether you want it or not. This trust  is
automatic when you are dealing with A/V products that protect mail systems
and their networks. If you lose that trust, the cost won't matter. You won't
have enough customers to stay in business anyway.

 

Price you product at whatever you think you need to. The mail admins will
either buy it or they won't.

 

Maybe it's time for you to find another person to communicate with the list.
You certainly aren't giving your end users that warm and fuzzy feeling.
(IMO)

 

Regards,

 

~Patrick

 

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread Patrick Childers
Comments are in-line.
 


  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:03 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?



Sorry no marketing department to give you the warm and fuzzy spin, just me. 

 

Obviously. 

 

Couple of suggestions. Declude has the ability to run upto 5 additional cmd
line scanners of your choice, we provide AVG as a courtesy to our customers
as in the past Declude did not have any internal virus scanner, you would
have to go out and purchase that separately 

 

Well aware of that.

 

It would be good to run more than 1 virus scanner for several reasons, one
of which is failure of an AV scanner, (admittedly in this instance failure
was on our part) But rest assured false positives, no virus signatures, lag
time are problems ALL AV vendors are faced with. There are some that are
free that work extremely well ClamWin or ClamAV is an example of this.

 

In addition we have ZEROHOUR as a option for Perpetual license customers as
an additional  virus scanners providing ZEROHOUR protection and additional
spam definitions. For the amount of money that this is being offered for it
is a wise investment. If you opted out of this because you didn't want to
spend the extra few $ on security then you have different issues and it's
not Declude. 

 

LOL. I maybe one of the few, but I can spend almost whatever I need to to
protect my network. I do run multiple scanners as well as virus scanning on
the perimeter firewall.

 

If you didn't want to spend the extra few $ on making sure your code is
up-to-date then you have different issues and it's not your customers.

 

 Lastly Patrick please contact supp...@declude.com having looked at your
host record it does not look like you are receiving any AV updates - it
could be that your firewall is blocking the AV updates, our support can work
with you to fix that. 

 

LOL again. Don't need to. I don't use AVG. I only chimed in because I felt
that your responses to the issue was not helpful and somewhat offending the
users of your product.

 

Again, if you can't get the job done at current income levels, I suggest
you come up with the necessary figure after reviewing your operating costs.
You're the one selling a product. As for  you wanting to know what I will
pay for your product, I will leave you with this answer:  As much as I think
it is worth.

 

If the product is rock solid and I feel (or believe) that the company is
trying to stay up with current technologies and cares about me as a
customer,  I will pay much more than I would to a company that doesn't
project those qualities.

 

Oh, and by the way, I know how to setup a firewall. So, why don't you guys
concentrate on your code instead.

 

Thanks,

Patrick

 

 
Thanks
David 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 9:13 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

How much are we willing to pay?

 

It doesn't matter if it costs $5 or $5000 if the product doesn't work.
Especially when you, the developer, doesn't notice the problem for a month
and a half - especially when the problem has been reported by end users. Do
you not run your own product?

 

Maybe you don't realize this, but your whining customers put a level of
trust in your company whether you want it or not. This trust  is
automatic when you are dealing with A/V products that protect mail systems
and their networks. If you lose that trust, the cost won't matter. You won't
have enough customers to stay in business anyway.

 

Price you product at whatever you think you need to. The mail admins will
either buy it or they won't.

 

Maybe it's time for you to find another person to communicate with the list.
You certainly aren't giving your end users that warm and fuzzy feeling.
(IMO)

 

Regards,

 

~Patrick

 

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread David Barker
. but I can spend almost whatever I need to to protect my network.

 

There are those of us who run businesses and then there are those who work
for them. Either way your feedback is appreciated ;)

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:50 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Comments are in-line.

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:03 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Sorry no marketing department to give you the warm and fuzzy spin, just me. 

 

Obviously. 

 

Couple of suggestions. Declude has the ability to run upto 5 additional cmd
line scanners of your choice, we provide AVG as a courtesy to our customers
as in the past Declude did not have any internal virus scanner, you would
have to go out and purchase that separately 

 

Well aware of that.

 

It would be good to run more than 1 virus scanner for several reasons, one
of which is failure of an AV scanner, (admittedly in this instance failure
was on our part) But rest assured false positives, no virus signatures, lag
time are problems ALL AV vendors are faced with. There are some that are
free that work extremely well ClamWin or ClamAV is an example of this.

 

In addition we have ZEROHOUR as a option for Perpetual license customers as
an additional  virus scanners providing ZEROHOUR protection and additional
spam definitions. For the amount of money that this is being offered for it
is a wise investment. If you opted out of this because you didn't want to
spend the extra few $ on security then you have different issues and it's
not Declude. 

 

LOL. I maybe one of the few, but I can spend almost whatever I need to to
protect my network. I do run multiple scanners as well as virus scanning on
the perimeter firewall.

 

If you didn't want to spend the extra few $ on making sure your code is
up-to-date then you have different issues and it's not your customers.

 

 Lastly Patrick please contact supp...@declude.com having looked at your
host record it does not look like you are receiving any AV updates - it
could be that your firewall is blocking the AV updates, our support can work
with you to fix that. 

 

LOL again. Don't need to. I don't use AVG. I only chimed in because I felt
that your responses to the issue was not helpful and somewhat offending the
users of your product.

 

Again, if you can't get the job done at current income levels, I suggest
you come up with the necessary figure after reviewing your operating costs.
You're the one selling a product. As for  you wanting to know what I will
pay for your product, I will leave you with this answer:  As much as I think
it is worth.

 

If the product is rock solid and I feel (or believe) that the company is
trying to stay up with current technologies and cares about me as a
customer,  I will pay much more than I would to a company that doesn't
project those qualities.

 

Oh, and by the way, I know how to setup a firewall. So, why don't you guys
concentrate on your code instead.

 

Thanks,

Patrick

 

 
Thanks
David 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 9:13 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

How much are we willing to pay?

 

It doesn't matter if it costs $5 or $5000 if the product doesn't work.
Especially when you, the developer, doesn't notice the problem for a month
and a half - especially when the problem has been reported by end users. Do
you not run your own product?

 

Maybe you don't realize this, but your whining customers put a level of
trust in your company whether you want it or not. This trust  is
automatic when you are dealing with A/V products that protect mail systems
and their networks. If you lose that trust, the cost won't matter. You won't
have enough customers to stay in business anyway.

 

Price you product at whatever you think you need to. The mail admins will
either buy it or they won't.

 

Maybe it's time for you to find another person to communicate with the list.
You certainly aren't giving your end users that warm and fuzzy feeling.
(IMO)

 

Regards,

 

~Patrick

 

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread Patrick Childers
I run a business and I work for a business. Thank you. 
Maybe you should work for one...
 
~P

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 1:17 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?



. but I can spend almost whatever I need to to protect my network.

 

There are those of us who run businesses and then there are those who work
for them. Either way your feedback is appreciated ;)

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:50 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Comments are in-line.

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:03 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Sorry no marketing department to give you the warm and fuzzy spin, just me. 

 

Obviously. 

 

Couple of suggestions. Declude has the ability to run upto 5 additional cmd
line scanners of your choice, we provide AVG as a courtesy to our customers
as in the past Declude did not have any internal virus scanner, you would
have to go out and purchase that separately 

 

Well aware of that.

 

It would be good to run more than 1 virus scanner for several reasons, one
of which is failure of an AV scanner, (admittedly in this instance failure
was on our part) But rest assured false positives, no virus signatures, lag
time are problems ALL AV vendors are faced with. There are some that are
free that work extremely well ClamWin or ClamAV is an example of this.

 

In addition we have ZEROHOUR as a option for Perpetual license customers as
an additional  virus scanners providing ZEROHOUR protection and additional
spam definitions. For the amount of money that this is being offered for it
is a wise investment. If you opted out of this because you didn't want to
spend the extra few $ on security then you have different issues and it's
not Declude. 

 

LOL. I maybe one of the few, but I can spend almost whatever I need to to
protect my network. I do run multiple scanners as well as virus scanning on
the perimeter firewall.

 

If you didn't want to spend the extra few $ on making sure your code is
up-to-date then you have different issues and it's not your customers.

 

 Lastly Patrick please contact supp...@declude.com having looked at your
host record it does not look like you are receiving any AV updates - it
could be that your firewall is blocking the AV updates, our support can work
with you to fix that. 

 

LOL again. Don't need to. I don't use AVG. I only chimed in because I felt
that your responses to the issue was not helpful and somewhat offending the
users of your product.

 

Again, if you can't get the job done at current income levels, I suggest
you come up with the necessary figure after reviewing your operating costs.
You're the one selling a product. As for  you wanting to know what I will
pay for your product, I will leave you with this answer:  As much as I think
it is worth.

 

If the product is rock solid and I feel (or believe) that the company is
trying to stay up with current technologies and cares about me as a
customer,  I will pay much more than I would to a company that doesn't
project those qualities.

 

Oh, and by the way, I know how to setup a firewall. So, why don't you guys
concentrate on your code instead.

 

Thanks,

Patrick

 


Thanks
David 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick
Childers
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 9:13 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

How much are we willing to pay?

 

It doesn't matter if it costs $5 or $5000 if the product doesn't work.
Especially when you, the developer, doesn't notice the problem for a month
and a half - especially when the problem has been reported by end users. Do
you not run your own product?

 

Maybe you don't realize this, but your whining customers put a level of
trust in your company whether you want it or not. This trust  is
automatic when you are dealing with A/V products that protect mail systems
and their networks. If you lose that trust, the cost won't matter. You won't
have enough customers to stay in business anyway.

 

Price you product at whatever you think you need to. The mail admins will
either buy it or they won't.

 

Maybe it's time for you to find another person to communicate with the list.
You certainly aren't giving your end users that warm and fuzzy feeling.
(IMO)

 

Regards,

 

~Patrick

 

 

 

  _  

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com

Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-04 Thread John T
I really think these type of comments, while they may be perfectly valid, are 
better done off line as they are outside of the scope and purpose of this 
list.John T
eServices For You
-Original Message-
From: Patrick Childers pchild...@hgbd.com
Sent 6/4/2009 10:36:30 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th 
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Irun a business and I work for a business. Thank you. Maybe you should work for 
one...~PFrom: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of 
David BarkerSent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 1:17 PMTo: 
declude.vi...@declude.comsubject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable 
for 13% of th year?… but I can spend almost whateverI need to to protect my 
network.There are those of us who run businesses and then there are those who 
work for them. Either way your feedback is appreciated ;)DavidFrom: 
supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Patrick 
ChildersSent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:50 PMTo: 
declude.vi...@declude.comsubject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable 
for 13% of th year?Comments are in-line.From: supp...@declude.com 
[mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David BarkerSent: Thursday, June 04, 
2009 10:03 AMTo: declude.vi...@declude.comsubject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude 
Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?Sorry no marketing department to give you 
the warm and fuzzy spin, just me.Obviously.Couple of suggestions. Declude has 
the ability to run upto 5 additional cmd line scanners of your choice, we 
provide AVG as a courtesy to our customers as in the past Declude did not have 
any internal virus scanner, you would have to go out and purchase that 
separatelyWell aware of that.It would be good to run more than 1 virus scanner 
for several reasons, one of which is failure of an AV scanner, (admittedly in 
this instance failure was on our part) But rest assured false positives, no 
virus signatures, lag time are problems ALL AV vendors are faced with. There 
are some that are free that work extremely well ClamWin or ClamAV is an example 
of this.In addition we have ZEROHOUR as a option for Perpetual license 
customers as an additional  virus scanners providing ZEROHOUR protection and 
additional spam definitions. For the amount of money that this is being offered 
for it is a wise investment. If you opted out of this because you didn’t want 
to spend the extra few $ on security then you have different issues and it’s 
not Declude.LOL. I maybe one of the few, but I can spend almost whateverI need 
to to protect my network. I do run multiple scanners as well as virus scanning 
on the perimeter firewall.If you didn’t want to spend the extra few $ 
on making sure your code is up-to-date then you have different issues and it’s 
not your customers. Lastly Patrick please contact supp...@declude.com having 
looked at your host record it does not look like you are receiving any AV 
updates - it could be that your firewall is blocking the AV updates, our 
support can work with you to fix that.LOL again. Don't need to. I don't use 
AVG. I only chimed in because I felt that your responses to the issue was not 
helpful and somewhat offending the users of your product.Again

[Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

 

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

 

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

 

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to
wait a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product
was unusable for 13% of the year?

 

This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

 

Best Regards,

Andy 



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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

 

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

 

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

 

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to
wait a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product
was unusable for 13% of the year?

 

This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

 

Best Regards,

Andy 


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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Troy D. Hilton
Hey Tim,

I'm out of hte office at this time but I'll give you a call on this when I 
return.

Troy

-- Original Message --
From: David Barker dbar...@declude.com
Reply-To: declude.virus@declude.com
Date:  Wed, 3 Jun 2009 11:07:24 -0400

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

 

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

 

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

 

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to
wait a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product
was unusable for 13% of the year?

 

This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

 

Best Regards,

Andy 


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type unsubscribe Declude.Virus. The archives can be found
at http://www.mail-archive.com. 



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--
Troy D. Hilton
Serveon, Inc.
302-529-1961
thil...@serveon.net
--


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Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Darin Cox
Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead of 
apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being taken to 
avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system of your 
choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's face.

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has no 
bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such customers 
should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure to do so is a 
breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human and problems can 
occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the response being putative 
instead of apologetic makes customers less forgiving, not more.

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix and 
feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step back 
for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to 
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

Darin.


- Original Message - 
From: David Barker 
To: declude.virus@declude.com 
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?


Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as 
with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an 
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a 
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been 
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having 
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel 
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3 
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I 
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and should 
not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations, we should 
increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to ensure 
unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the market and 
what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay for your 
service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done to 
prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all - 
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail 
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December 2010, 
which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

 

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

 

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

 

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every 
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to wait 
a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product was 
unusable for 13% of the year?

 

This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

 

Best Regards,

Andy 


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at http://www.mail-archive.com. 


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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Craig Edmonds
Hi David,
 
I have to agree with Darin on this one.

Take some deep breaths before replying to emails mate. 
 
Kindest Regards
Craig Edmonds
123 Marbella Internet
W:  http://www.123marbella.com/ www.123marbella.com
E :  mailto:cr...@123marbella.com cr...@123marbella.com
 
From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: 03 June 2009 17:50
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
 
Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.
 
Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.
 
To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.
 
I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.
 
Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.
 
Darin.
 
 
- Original Message - 
From: David Barker mailto:dbar...@declude.com  
To: declude.virus@declude.com 
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
 
Andy,
 
a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 
 
b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 
 
c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?
 
David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com
 
 
 
From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal
 
Hi,
 
Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.
 
a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?
 
b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?
 
The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:
 
LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10
 
So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to
wait a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product
was unusable for 13% of the year?
 
This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 
 
Best Regards,
Andy 

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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.

 

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

 

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

 

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

 

Darin.

 

 

- Original Message - 

From: David Barker mailto:dbar...@declude.com  

To: declude.virus@declude.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM

Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
Hi,

 

Oh, now you really got me going.

 

 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as
with this specific example 

 

The problem is not the hard-coded expiration itself. Clearly, when this API
(including the hardcoded expiry) was originally implemented, the fact that
there was an expiry was a known fact to that developer - cause (s)he added
it. Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

 how much more are you prepared to pay for your service agreement 

 

Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. I rather would pay
appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced with features (as it
was in the first few years when I had purchased it) than to pay a lesser
annual maintenance for a dormant product! However, I'm NOT willing to pay a
company just so that they can pursue OTHER technical, legal and marketing
ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the product.

 

The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance makes this
painfully obvious!

 

 increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers 

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing a
huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need:

 

Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing the
product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original author
of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog, then
sell me the upgrade!)

 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Best Regards,

Andy

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the
market and what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay
for your service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done
to prevent this from recurring.

 

a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all -
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December
2010, which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

 

The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

 

LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

 

So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to
wait a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product
was unusable for 13% of the year?

 

This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

 

Best Regards,

Andy 


---
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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Michael Cummins
 Darin Cox said:
 that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?
 
 David Barker said:
 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as with
this specific example.
 
Is this true?  Has my Declude virus scanner been inoperable?  
 
My Declude logs look OK, but I guess that's what you're talking about?
What's the deal?  How can I detect this misbehavior, if indeed it did occur?
 
-- Michael Cummins
 
 

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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Breathing and counting to 10 .  ;)

 

 Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

In coding Utopia yes that is true. I was unaware of this situation till now.
I would fire the person who implemented this but we had already let them go
over 2 years ago. I get what you are saying, I just don't think you
understand when I say I have heard you Andy, you can stop posting to the
lists about this

 

 Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. 

 

Nice dodge!

 

I rather would pay appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced
with features (as it was in the first few years when I had purchased it)
than to pay a lesser annual maintenance for a dormant product! 

 

Ah the good old days of Scott Perry.  Let's not forget you are paying less
for the product maintenance today than you were 5 years ago. Dormant ? or
not the fixes and features you want? 

 

However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company just so that they can pursue
OTHER technical, legal and marketing ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the
product. The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance
makes this painfully obvious!

 

What are you talking about ?

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing
a huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need
Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing
the product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original
author of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog,
then sell me the upgrade!) 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

Wrong. Declude is a separate company from DNSStuff. Our (Declude) revenues
are solely committed to maintaining and growing this company. 

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Oh wait.  that's a good one. I think the best way to answer this just is to
say your suspicion is incorrect.  

 

Finaly the purpose for these lists is mostly for tech questions and
assisting other users. Your initial posts about AVG were fine, but if you
want to get into what you think  Declude should be doing as a company
either email me or call me directly. 

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:12 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi,

 

Oh, now you really got me going.

 

 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as
with this specific example 

 

The problem is not the hard-coded expiration itself. Clearly, when this API
(including the hardcoded expiry) was originally implemented, the fact that
there was an expiry was a known fact to that developer - cause (s)he added
it. Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

 how much more are you prepared to pay for your service agreement 

 

Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. I rather would pay
appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced with features (as it
was in the first few years when I had purchased it) than to pay a lesser
annual maintenance for a dormant product! However, I'm NOT willing to pay a
company just so that they can pursue OTHER technical, legal and marketing
ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the product.

 

The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance makes this
painfully obvious!

 

 increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers 

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing a
huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need:

 

Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
Let's turn this around:

 

 however if customers expect more than what is currently being delivered
then I have to ask the question, in clear, open and honest communication..
Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

How much more than 100% of the annual fee are customers expected to pay
before Declude considers them entitled to expect to use the product (close
to) 100% of the time - instead of 87%?

 

The point is, this was a major mess up and the problem was absolutely poor
programming practice (hard-coding a time limit without adding code to deal
with the reaching of that limit). And your response is: Pay us more if you
want us to use remotely reasonably normal programming practice?

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.

 

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

 

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

 

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

 

Darin.

 

 

- Original Message - 

From: David Barker mailto:dbar...@declude.com  

To: declude.virus@declude.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM

Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having
this renewed took longer than usual. 

 

b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

 

c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and
should not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations,
we should increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to
ensure

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Hi Michael,

 

Yes this is true, however Declude EVA does not totally rely on virus
signatures of AVG to stop virus' in your case you were not vulnerable as
Commtouch ZEROHOUR virus was still operational as well as the built in virus
detection by Declude EVA. We would still suggest you upgrade to the latest
release asap.

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Michael
Cummins
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:25 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

 Darin Cox said:

 that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

 David Barker said:

 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as with
this specific example.

 

Is this true?  Has my Declude virus scanner been inoperable?  

 

My Declude logs look OK, but I guess that's what you're talking about?
What's the deal?  How can I detect this misbehavior, if indeed it did occur?

 

-- Michael Cummins

 

 


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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Maybe I am misunderstanding you but the AVG issue that occurred has been
resolved, and should have never happened, now let's move on to the real
issue at hand ... I am challenged with, how do I prevent such issues
occurring in the future? As my resources are currently maxed what are my
options ..? Suggestions ?

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:42 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Let's turn this around:

 

 however if customers expect more than what is currently being delivered
then I have to ask the question, in clear, open and honest communication..
Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

How much more than 100% of the annual fee are customers expected to pay
before Declude considers them entitled to expect to use the product (close
to) 100% of the time - instead of 87%?

 

The point is, this was a major mess up and the problem was absolutely poor
programming practice (hard-coding a time limit without adding code to deal
with the reaching of that limit). And your response is: Pay us more if you
want us to use remotely reasonably normal programming practice?

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.

 

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

 

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

 

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

 

Darin.

 

 

- Original Message - 

From: David Barker mailto:dbar...@declude.com  

To: declude.virus@declude.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM

Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Andy,

 

a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
That's the point of the discussion. Declude added a hard-coded end-time but
didn't add a handling mechanism that deals with the event when (not IF) the
end-time was absolutely going to occur on the predescribed date.

 

Consequently there were/are only indirect ways to find out:

 

-  Infected emails reached your desktops, and/or

 

-  You had secondary scanners plus a reporting tool,
http://www.invariantsystems.com/dlanalyzer/, which made is obvious that ALL
your viruses were ONLY being caught by the secondary scanners (which is what
I have been pointing out for weeks), and/or

 

-  You check your VIRmmdd.LOG file and a scan of AVG Reports
VIRUS: finds no matches.

 

According to Declude, properly dealing with a known, hard-coded, expiry date
is not included in the annual maintenance fees but is considered  an
enhancement for which they should charge extra.

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Michael
Cummins
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:25 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

 Darin Cox said:

 that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

 

 David Barker said:

 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as with
this specific example.

 

Is this true?  Has my Declude virus scanner been inoperable?  

 

My Declude logs look OK, but I guess that's what you're talking about?
What's the deal?  How can I detect this misbehavior, if indeed it did occur?

 

-- Michael Cummins

 

 


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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Dan Shadix
I didn't want to weigh in on this, but since I have a lot of experience with 
trying to do too much with too few resources I feel the need.

First I'll say that item c. in David's response came across badly and certainly 
seemed to express a certain degree of frustration, probably due to the problem 
occurring in the first place as much as the responses from users.

When you don't have enough resources you sometimes let things slip.  You get 
them working with every intention of going back to put in place the needed 
checks to keep everything working.  It's simple to add an appointment to a 
calendar, but unless you have a common calendar you're only giving yourself 
notice and that's probably not the best way to handle it.  So, you plan to do 
it right and then it slips away in the rush of getting other problems fixed.

David has stated that he has put procedures in place to prevent this from 
happening again and you either believe him or you don't.  If you don't then you 
are probably already looking for an alternative product, and working on your 
security budget to accommodate the higher cost.  I have received great service 
from Declude and since Interceptor came out I'm virtually ecstatic so I'll be 
sticking around and hoping that the prices stay low.

Dan Shadix
IT Systems Administrator
Terry Reilly Health Services

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 10:12 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

Hi,

Oh, now you really got me going.

 Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as with 
 this specific example 

The problem is not the hard-coded expiration itself. Clearly, when this API 
(including the hardcoded expiry) was originally implemented, the fact that 
there was an expiry was a known fact to that developer - cause (s)he added it. 
Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly handle 
and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with 100% 
certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be fixed, not 
discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that it has decided 
to stop detecting viruses.

 how much more are you prepared to pay for your service agreement 

Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. I rather would pay 
appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced with features (as it was 
in the first few years when I had purchased it) than to pay a lesser annual 
maintenance for a dormant product! However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company 
just so that they can pursue OTHER technical, legal and marketing ventures 
INSTEAD of enhancing the product.

The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance makes this 
painfully obvious!

 increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing a 
huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other 
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need:

Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for 
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally pay 
ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing the 
product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original author of 
the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog, then sell me 
the upgrade!)

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace overhead-personnel 
with production personnel.

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

Best Regards,
Andy

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:07 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

Andy,


a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error as 
with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an 
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a 
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been 
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having 
this renewed took longer than usual.



b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel 
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3 
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31



c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I 
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and should 
not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations, we should 
increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to ensure 
unfortunate incidents

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
I think taking a software company to task on their lack of control DOES
benefit all users technically! 

 

I didn't introduce pricing and staffing into this discussion - YOU did! Now
you take me to task for responding to your pricing/staffing issues that YOU
raised?

 

 Let's not forget you are paying less for the product maintenance today
than you were 5 years ago 

 

1/6/2002: $295

1/14/2003: $295

1/23/2004: $295 (after having upgrading to Pro in March 2003)

1/5/2005: $264

12/30/2005: $264

8/18/2006: $309

1/19/2007: $309 

3/13/2008: $395 

6/2009: $395

 

Would you like to revise your statement? I'm not paying less, I'm paying 50%
more. No complaints - just insisting on the truth.

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:40 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Breathing and counting to 10 .  ;)

 

 Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

In coding Utopia yes that is true. I was unaware of this situation till now.
I would fire the person who implemented this but we had already let them go
over 2 years ago. I get what you are saying, I just don't think you
understand when I say I have heard you Andy, you can stop posting to the
lists about this

 

 Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. 

 

Nice dodge!

 

I rather would pay appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced
with features (as it was in the first few years when I had purchased it)
than to pay a lesser annual maintenance for a dormant product! 

 

Ah the good old days of Scott Perry.  Let's not forget you are paying less
for the product maintenance today than you were 5 years ago. Dormant ? or
not the fixes and features you want? 

 

However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company just so that they can pursue
OTHER technical, legal and marketing ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the
product. The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance
makes this painfully obvious!

 

What are you talking about ?

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing
a huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need
Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing
the product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original
author of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog,
then sell me the upgrade!) 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

Wrong. Declude is a separate company from DNSStuff. Our (Declude) revenues
are solely committed to maintaining and growing this company. 

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Oh wait.  that's a good one. I think the best way to answer this just is to
say your suspicion is incorrect.  

 

Finaly the purpose for these lists is mostly for tech questions and
assisting other users. Your initial posts about AVG were fine, but if you
want to get into what you think  Declude should be doing as a company
either email me or call me directly. 

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 



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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
Fair enough.

 

For this particular case: If AVG requires a fix license date, then add an
alert mechanism so that customers (specially those who might not upgrade
until 12/2010) will receive an explicit notice that their Declude Virus is
inactive!  The log file would be the minimum - but ideally a postmaster
email to an admin email address in one of the Declude config files.

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:50 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Maybe I am misunderstanding you but the AVG issue that occurred has been
resolved, and should have never happened, now let's move on to the real
issue at hand ... I am challenged with, how do I prevent such issues
occurring in the future? As my resources are currently maxed what are my
options ..? Suggestions ?

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:42 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Let's turn this around:

 

 however if customers expect more than what is currently being delivered
then I have to ask the question, in clear, open and honest communication..
Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

How much more than 100% of the annual fee are customers expected to pay
before Declude considers them entitled to expect to use the product (close
to) 100% of the time - instead of 87%?

 

The point is, this was a major mess up and the problem was absolutely poor
programming practice (hard-coding a time limit without adding code to deal
with the reaching of that limit). And your response is: Pay us more if you
want us to use remotely reasonably normal programming practice?

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Darin,

 

I accept your constructive criticism. With regard to the situation;

 

1.   We recognize that this was a serious failure

2.   The issue was highlighted and resolved in the quickest possible
time

3.   Procedural steps have been put in place to ensure that this does
not happen again.

4.   This was an unfortunate circumstance and I understand the
frustration on the part of Declude customers

5.   We make every effort to meet the needs of our customers

 

My statement regarding increased prices has less to do with this current
problem as it has to do with moving forward and preventing issues like this
in the future. More $ means more resources which means more can be done
which equates to less risk in all areas.  Declude has given good service,
value for money and a product that works for minimum $. I understand that
the expectation is always more for less, however if customers expect more
than what is currently being delivered then I have to ask the question, in
clear, open and honest communication..

 

Mr/s Customer how much more are you willing to pay so that we can invest
in more resources in order to develop a better product?

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Darin
Cox
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:50 AM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

Wow, what a way to respond to a long-time, loyal paying customer!  Instead
of apologizing for the serious problem and relaying what steps are being
taken to avoid it happening again (a simple reminder in the calendar system
of your choice would suffice), it's being thrown back in the customer's
face.

 

Regarding the question of increasing prices for service agreements, that has
no bearing on a current customer who has already paid the fees.  Such
customers should expect the service they paid for to be rendered.  Failure
to do so is a breach of agreement on Declude's part.  While we are all human
and problems can occur, this is a serious failure, and the tone of the
response being putative instead of apologetic makes customers less
forgiving, not more.

 

To be frank, many customers are asking what they are paying for, when fix
and feature requests take months to be released, or not at all.

 

I understand the situation may be frustrating, but it's often best to step
back for a moment, vent elsewhere if needed, then respond professionally to
customers.  Clear, open, and honest communication also helps.

 

Please don't take this email as incendiary.  It is meant to be constructive.

 

Darin

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Here is the full breakdown.

 

The Good ol'  Days



EVA - Service Agreement $195.00


JunkMail - Service Agreement   $195.00


HiJack - Service Agreement $75.00

 

Total: $465

 

Today



EVA - Service Agreement


JunkMail - Service Agreement


HiJack - Service Agreement

AVG virus scanner

Commtouch ZEROHOUR Antivirus + Spam definitions 

 

Total: $395

 

So you have a whole lot more for less money, and yes you are complaining.


David

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:12 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

I think taking a software company to task on their lack of control DOES
benefit all users technically! 

 

I didn't introduce pricing and staffing into this discussion - YOU did! Now
you take me to task for responding to your pricing/staffing issues that YOU
raised?

 

 Let's not forget you are paying less for the product maintenance today
than you were 5 years ago 

 

1/6/2002: $295

1/14/2003: $295

1/23/2004: $295 (after having upgrading to Pro in March 2003)

1/5/2005: $264

12/30/2005: $264

8/18/2006: $309

1/19/2007: $309 

3/13/2008: $395 

6/2009: $395

 

Would you like to revise your statement? I'm not paying less, I'm paying 50%
more. No complaints - just insisting on the truth.

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:40 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Breathing and counting to 10 .  ;)

 

 Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

In coding Utopia yes that is true. I was unaware of this situation till now.
I would fire the person who implemented this but we had already let them go
over 2 years ago. I get what you are saying, I just don't think you
understand when I say I have heard you Andy, you can stop posting to the
lists about this

 

 Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. 

 

Nice dodge!

 

I rather would pay appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced
with features (as it was in the first few years when I had purchased it)
than to pay a lesser annual maintenance for a dormant product! 

 

Ah the good old days of Scott Perry.  Let's not forget you are paying less
for the product maintenance today than you were 5 years ago. Dormant ? or
not the fixes and features you want? 

 

However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company just so that they can pursue
OTHER technical, legal and marketing ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the
product. The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance
makes this painfully obvious!

 

What are you talking about ?

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing
a huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need
Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing
the product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original
author of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog,
then sell me the upgrade!) 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

Wrong. Declude is a separate company from DNSStuff. Our (Declude) revenues
are solely committed to maintaining and growing this company. 

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Oh wait.  that's a good one. I think the best way to answer this just is to
say your suspicion is incorrect.  

 

Finaly the purpose for these lists is mostly for tech questions and
assisting other users. Your initial posts about AVG were fine, but if you
want to get into what you think  Declude should be doing as a company
either email me or call me directly. 

 

David Barker
VP Operations Declude
Your Email security is our business
978.499.2933 office
978.988.1311 fax
 mailto:dbar...@declude.com dbar...@declude.com

 


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RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Andy Schmidt
Didn't realize I was paying for CommTouch ZEROHOUR and for Hijack?

 

How do I turn on CommTouch, since apparently I've been paying for its
maintenance since at least 2008?

 

No, I am NOT complaining about the amounts. I've many times forced money on
various developers because I want them to be well funded so that they will
be motivated to proceed.  I'm complaining about the lack of delivering added
features. I say it again: Money is secondary to me to function.

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:50 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Here is the full breakdown.

 

The Good ol'  Days



EVA - Service Agreement $195.00


JunkMail - Service Agreement   $195.00


HiJack - Service Agreement $75.00

 

Total: $465

 

Today



EVA - Service Agreement


JunkMail - Service Agreement


HiJack - Service Agreement

AVG virus scanner

Commtouch ZEROHOUR Antivirus + Spam definitions 

 

Total: $395

 

So you have a whole lot more for less money, and yes you are complaining.


David

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy
Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:12 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

I think taking a software company to task on their lack of control DOES
benefit all users technically! 

 

I didn't introduce pricing and staffing into this discussion - YOU did! Now
you take me to task for responding to your pricing/staffing issues that YOU
raised?

 

 Let's not forget you are paying less for the product maintenance today
than you were 5 years ago 

 

1/6/2002: $295

1/14/2003: $295

1/23/2004: $295 (after having upgrading to Pro in March 2003)

1/5/2005: $264

12/30/2005: $264

8/18/2006: $309

1/19/2007: $309 

3/13/2008: $395 

6/2009: $395

 

Would you like to revise your statement? I'm not paying less, I'm paying 50%
more. No complaints - just insisting on the truth.

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David
Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:40 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Breathing and counting to 10 .  ;)

 

 Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly
handle and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with
100% certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be
fixed, not discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that
it has decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

In coding Utopia yes that is true. I was unaware of this situation till now.
I would fire the person who implemented this but we had already let them go
over 2 years ago. I get what you are saying, I just don't think you
understand when I say I have heard you Andy, you can stop posting to the
lists about this

 

 Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. 

 

Nice dodge!

 

I rather would pay appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced
with features (as it was in the first few years when I had purchased it)
than to pay a lesser annual maintenance for a dormant product! 

 

Ah the good old days of Scott Perry.  Let's not forget you are paying less
for the product maintenance today than you were 5 years ago. Dormant ? or
not the fixes and features you want? 

 

However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company just so that they can pursue
OTHER technical, legal and marketing ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the
product. The problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance
makes this painfully obvious!

 

What are you talking about ?

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing
a huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need
Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing
the product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original
author of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog,
then sell me the upgrade!) 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

Wrong. Declude is a separate company from DNSStuff. Our (Declude) revenues
are solely committed to maintaining and growing this company. 

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Oh wait.  that's a good one. I think the best way to answer this just is to
say your

Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Darin Cox
My payment history is more like Andy's.  We paid $264-$295 annually for our 
service agreements (JunkMail/Virus) from 2002 to 2006.  We never had HiJack.

Darin.


- Original Message - 
From: David Barker 
To: declude.virus@declude.com 
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:50 PM
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?


Here is the full breakdown.

 

The Good ol'  Days



EVA - Service Agreement $195.00 


JunkMail - Service Agreement   $195.00  
   

HiJack - Service Agreement $75.00

 

Total: $465

 

Today



EVA - Service Agreement 


JunkMail - Service Agreement   

HiJack - Service Agreement

AVG virus scanner

Commtouch ZEROHOUR Antivirus + Spam definitions 

 

Total: $395

 

So you have a whole lot more for less money, and yes you are complaining.


David

 

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:12 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

I think taking a software company to task on their lack of control DOES benefit 
all users technically! 

 

I didn't introduce pricing and staffing into this discussion - YOU did! Now you 
take me to task for responding to your pricing/staffing issues that YOU raised?

 

 Let's not forget you are paying less for the product maintenance today than 
 you were 5 years ago 

 

1/6/2002: $295

1/14/2003: $295

1/23/2004: $295 (after having upgrading to Pro in March 2003)

1/5/2005: $264

12/30/2005: $264

8/18/2006: $309

1/19/2007: $309 

3/13/2008: $395 

6/2009: $395

 

Would you like to revise your statement? I'm not paying less, I'm paying 50% 
more. No complaints - just insisting on the truth.

 

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of David Barker
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:40 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Breathing and counting to 10 .  ;)

 

 Whoever wrote this API implementation simply was too lazy to properly handle 
 and report on the condition that absolutely was going to occur with 100% 
 certainty on 4/10. That's a programming 101 and this flaw must be fixed, not 
 discussed. It's when an Anti-Virus product doesn't report that it has 
 decided to stop detecting viruses.

 

In coding Utopia yes that is true. I was unaware of this situation till now. I 
would fire the person who implemented this but we had already let them go over 
2 years ago. I get what you are saying, I just don't think you understand when 
I say I have heard you Andy, you can stop posting to the lists about this

 

 Nice try, but to me, money is secondary to function. 

 

Nice dodge!

 

I rather would pay appropriate maintenance for a product that is enhanced 
with features (as it was in the first few years when I had purchased it) than 
to pay a lesser annual maintenance for a dormant product! 

 

Ah the good old days of Scott Perry.  Let's not forget you are paying less for 
the product maintenance today than you were 5 years ago. Dormant ? or not the 
fixes and features you want? 

 

However, I'm NOT willing to pay a company just so that they can pursue OTHER 
technical, legal and marketing ventures INSTEAD of enhancing the product. The 
problem with Declude is that they lost focus - this instance makes this 
painfully obvious!

 

What are you talking about ?

 

Let's get real. I remember looking at your web site a while ago and seeing a 
huge roster of management. I also remember web site project and other 
products being launched and initating legal actions. Here's what you need 
Start laying off managers and other supervisory staff, cut the retainers for 
your attorneys, etc.  and don't stop until you have enough money to finally 
pay ONE full time developer that actually works on continually enhancing 
the product we are all paying for and gets as much done as the original 
author of the product did for YEARS. Once caught up with 3 years of backlog, 
then sell me the upgrade!) 

You don't need additional personnel - you to need replace 
overhead-personnel with production personnel.

 

Wrong. Declude is a separate company from DNSStuff. Our (Declude) revenues are 
solely committed to maintaining and growing this company. 

 

I suspect the problem is not lack of funds but diversion of it.

 

Oh wait.  that's a good one. I think the best way to answer this just is to say 
your suspicion is incorrect.  

 

Finaly the purpose for these lists is mostly for tech questions and assisting 
other users. Your initial posts about AVG were

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Nick Hayer
David -

At times like this its OK to sigh these emails: David your pinata Barker
 :)

-Nick


From: David Barker dbar...@declude.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 4:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year? 









Nice. Thank you
for your feedback Markus. 

 

MANY if
not most of all Declude users has initially chosen the Swiss army
knife as their tool who they can customize, enhance and integrate in
their FULLY email filter system. 

 

This is true
from the past and for many older Declude customers, but the market has changed
over the years - there are not enough people looking for the Swiss army
knife approach anymore. With managed services, hardware appliances etc. 
anti-spam
and AV is a cost center for most ISP's and they would rather not have to
deal with it at all. IMail themselves started losing market share for the same
reasons which had a direct impact on the Declude business. So what was
is no more. 

 

evolution
and new functionality in order to be able to stay ahead or at least near on top
of the market leaders. 



Agreed, but also take into account the changing Mail systems, we support both 
IMail
and Smartermail, specifically supporting Smartermail as they were growing while
IMail was shrinking. Every time a new release of IMail or Smartermail comes out
something inevitably changes meaning we have to deal with the MUST do's
rather than innovation. Again to combat this we just need additional developer/s
so that we can dedicate one to maintenance and the other/s to innovation. To do
this we need $ and that cost will always be carried over to you the customer,
which I have done my utmost best to avoid.

 

 noted
the active community who has definitively helped to let Declude become what it
is/was isn't there anymore. 

 

Yes that
community was (and what is left) is extremely helpful and useful. 

 

All
this isn't there anymore. Why? Because people who was ready to contribute
hasn't received back what they want and need: If such people has asked
for a new feature even if it was a little piece of thing the maximum to 
hear was that it will be placed on a long list of planned to-do's.



Depending on when this was and who was making the Declude decisions at the
time. But if I should speak for myself. I realize I can't make everyone
happy its part of my job. Here is a case in point, let's use this
scenario.

 

1.   AVG fails

2.IMail release version 11 which is incompatible
with Declude

 

If I choose to
fix AVG first  - IMail users scream

If I 
choose to fix IMail first - All users scream

 

So in this
instance best decision is to let IMail users complain. Either way Declude in
one group of people is going to be the company that is not doing enough
for its customers. This is not really true but rather the perception.

 

In the
case you hasn't discovered it yet, from the begin of April on there was a
big increase of spam activity

 

This
information is very useful and this is why the lists exist if we can share
information we have a community that benefits.

 

If there
would be really someone taking technical care of this product he has should put
more then on eye in the past 2 months in order to keep this product at least
near to other spam filtering products. The cow was milked and milked and milked
and does urgently need now some fresh grass, water and  maybe also a new
clean stable.

 

The only thing
that would change this current situation is revenues which means price increase.
(Maybe it is time?)

 

David

 





From: supp...@declude.com
[mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Gufler Markus | Limitis

Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:26 PM

To: declude.virus@declude.com

Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th
year?

Sensitivity: Personal





 

Hi
David,

 

I'm
observing not only this AVG issue but many different things in the past 4 years
(while paying SA fee's). Your price is not that much that other
Spamfilter vendors ask for but keep in mind that MANY if not most of all
Declude users has initially chosen the Swiss army knife as their
tool who they can customize, enhance and integrate in their FULLY email filter
system. 

 

Maybe we could
start a long and never ending thread if Declude should be a flexible
tool or a complete suite for customers, but in any case
both type of customers would need definitively one thing, and this is evolution
and new functionality in order to be able to stay ahead or at least near on top
of the market leaders. At the moment Declude stand-alone without additional
external tests, additional external AV-engines and additional pre-filtering
gateways like Alligate, IMHO is not a full, secure and reliable solution. Its
still an important piece but as you maybe has also noted the active community
who has definitively helped to let Declude become what it is/was isn't
there anymore

RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread David Barker
Nick,

 

I think I would rather be a piñata with 20 screaming kids at the moment- at
least that way once the candy has dropped they would leave me alone ;)

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Nick
Hayer
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 4:23 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

 

David -

At times like this its OK to sigh these emails: David your pinata Barker
 :)

-Nick

  _  

From: David Barker dbar...@declude.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 4:14 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

Nice. Thank you for your feedback Markus. 

 

MANY if not most of all Declude users has initially chosen the Swiss army
knife as their tool who they can customize, enhance and integrate in their
FULLY email filter system. 

 

This is true from the past and for many older Declude customers, but the
market has changed over the years - there are not enough people looking for
the Swiss army knife approach anymore. With managed services, hardware
appliances etc. anti-spam and AV is a cost center for most ISP's and they
would rather not have to deal with it at all. IMail themselves started
losing market share for the same reasons which had a direct impact on the
Declude business. So what was is no more. 

 

evolution and new functionality in order to be able to stay ahead or at
least near on top of the market leaders. 


Agreed, but also take into account the changing Mail systems, we support
both IMail and Smartermail, specifically supporting Smartermail as they were
growing while IMail was shrinking. Every time a new release of IMail or
Smartermail comes out something inevitably changes meaning we have to deal
with the MUST do's rather than innovation. Again to combat this we just need
additional developer/s so that we can dedicate one to maintenance and the
other/s to innovation. To do this we need $ and that cost will always be
carried over to you the customer, which I have done my utmost best to avoid.

 

 noted the active community who has definitively helped to let Declude
become what it is/was isn't there anymore. 

 

Yes that community was (and what is left) is extremely helpful and useful. 

 

All this isn't there anymore. Why? Because people who was ready to
contribute hasn't received back what they want and need: If such people has
asked for a new feature even if it was a little piece of thing the maximum
to  hear was that it will be placed on a long list of planned to-do's.


Depending on when this was and who was making the Declude decisions at the
time. But if I should speak for myself. I realize I can't make everyone
happy its part of my job. Here is a case in point, let's use this scenario.

 

AVG fails

 IMail release version 11 which is incompatible with Declude

 

If I choose to fix AVG first  - IMail users scream

If I  choose to fix IMail first - All users scream

 

So in this instance best decision is to let IMail users complain. Either way
Declude in one group of people is going to be the company that is not doing
enough for its customers. This is not really true but rather the
perception.

 

In the case you hasn't discovered it yet, from the begin of April on there
was a big increase of spam activity

 

This information is very useful and this is why the lists exist if we can
share information we have a community that benefits.

 

If there would be really someone taking technical care of this product he
has should put more then on eye in the past 2 months in order to keep this
product at least near to other spam filtering products. The cow was milked
and milked and milked and does urgently need now some fresh grass, water and
maybe also a new clean stable.

 

The only thing that would change this current situation is revenues which
means price increase. (Maybe it is time?)

 

David

 

From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Gufler
Markus | Limitis
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:26 PM
To: declude.virus@declude.com
Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
Sensitivity: Personal

 

Hi David,

 

I'm observing not only this AVG issue but many different things in the past
4 years (while paying SA fee's). Your price is not that much that other
Spamfilter vendors ask for but keep in mind that MANY if not most of all
Declude users has initially chosen the Swiss army knife as their tool who
they can customize, enhance and integrate in their FULLY email filter
system. 

 

Maybe we could start a long and never ending thread if Declude should be a
flexible tool or a complete suite for customers, but in any case both
type of customers would need definitively one thing, and this is evolution
and new functionality in order to be able to stay ahead or at least near on
top of the market leaders. At the moment Declude stand-alone without
additional

Re[2]: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Sanford Whiteman
 Again  to combat this we just need additional developer/s so that we
 can dedicate one to maintenance and the other/s to innovation.

So  you  have  a  single  developer  who  is  working full-time on the
product,   and   the  maintenance  of  the  product  takes  an  entire
person-day?  Like  on  every given day, you spend the whole day making
sure  the  existing feature set works with the then-current version of
IMail and SmarterMail?

Dunno,  man,  I  think  some  of  Andy's  comments  about  the rate of
development of new features sound more plausible. Uncomfortable though
it  is  to  point fingers at other developers, the bottom line is that
you   seem   like   *less*   than   a   one-man-show.   And   even   a
part-time-one-man-show  setup might be perfectly fine! But the obvious
presence  of  other  management players that make it seem a lot less
pure.  I  would  guess  that  a  lot  of us knowingly put our faith in
one-man-shows (I will proudly come out as a user of CrushFTP, which is
blatantly  supported by one guy, Ben -- but he throws his life into it
as  Scott  once  did,  for better or worse), because we want people to
have  that  same faith in our small companies. But everything needs to
be up front.

 Yes that community was (and what is left) is extremely helpful and useful.

I  can  speak  as someone who very lightly supports Declude at one
distant  customer  at this point (like, an hour per 6 months), but who
once  was  very  active  here. Once Declude decided it was going to go
big-time  without  building a GUI configurator, I knew this wouldn't
work.  It  is  that  very  strange class of Windows-based product that
is/was  loved  by  the  most  technical  fringe  of  the  Windows/SMTP
community  for  its  flexibility,  though  it sometimes seemed to have
opacity  just  short  of  Sendmail  macros! But once you stop building
features,  knowing the secret world isn't fun anymore. There were just
so many misapprehensions about the promise of the product at the point
that you went corporate that I felt it was all downhill. An ex-partner
of  mine  once  whined,  Why can't *we* be a giant software company?
Because, I said, there are two of us working [then] on a product to
sell to maybe 200 people.

 time. But if I should speak for myself. I realize I can't make everyone
 happy its part of my job. Here is a case in point, let's use this scenario.

 1.   AVG fails

 2.IMail release version 11 which is incompatible with Declude

This  is  an incomplete scenario by a long shot. How many person-hours
must  be  committed  for  each  fix?  Do  you  find  out  about  IMail
incompatibility  in  a  pre-release  beta  version,  before anyone can
reasonably squawk about 0day incompatibility?

 If I choose to fix AVG first  - IMail users scream

If  you  found  about  a  non-working  antivirus  _in production_, but
non-working IMail _in beta_, there is no choice!

Also,  it  would appear that non-working AV is not only more urgent in
its  own  right,  but  would affect ALL users -- so this is really bad
example for your viewpoint.

 The only thing that would change this current situation is revenues which
 means price increase. (Maybe it is time?)

Maybe it is time to

[a] dissolve the company as is

[b] sell the product to a developer

[c] (re)package it as an owner-maintained, purpose-built software tool

[d] build up from there as needed

I  would  hope  there  is  enough  revenue  to keep a single developer
supported  at an industry-standard income + do some marketing. I mean,
not  every  product  is  meant  to  beat  the  world financially. Some
products just are destined to lead technically.

--Sandy



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Re: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?

2009-06-03 Thread Serge
Hello David,

1- What will happen to those who have a perpetual licence but no SA on 
2010-12-31

2- The prices and number of developpers is declude buisness, we cannot force 
you one way or another
but once you make your choice, we, the customers, make our decisions based 
on factors, including price, quality, 
so even if you want to blame low prices and lack of staff,, it is still 
declude management fault, not the customers

that is not to say that i'm not satisfied with declude product and support
just dont agree with your logic

BR

Serge







  - Original Message - 
  From: David Barker 
  To: declude.virus@declude.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:07 PM
  Subject: RE: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?


  Andy,

   

  a.   Declude Virus does not have a built in system to report this error 
as with this specific example. What happened here is not the norm but an 
exception.  It was not our choice to hard code the expiration date but a 
requirement from AVG. In this instance the specific persons who we had been 
working with at AVG are no longer with the company and the process of having 
this renewed took longer than usual. 

   

  b.  I am not sure if you are being facetious, but if it makes you feel 
better, sure you can schedule a reminder for me,  please email me at least 3 
month prior of the new expiration date 2010-12-31 

   

  c.   Yes AVG was not working as it should have been since 2009-04-10 I 
agree with you -  this is totally unacceptable, intolerable, painful and should 
not be brushed aside lightly. You are correct in your observations, we should 
increase our prices dramatically so we can hire more developers to ensure 
unfortunate incidents like this don't happen again.  Considering the market and 
what other vendors charge how much more are you prepared to pay for your 
service agreement so that we can meet this type of requirement ?

   

  David Barker
  VP Operations Declude
  Your Email security is our business
  978.499.2933 office
  978.988.1311 fax
  dbar...@declude.com

   

   

   

  From: supp...@declude.com [mailto:supp...@declude.com] On Behalf Of Andy 
Schmidt
  Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:08 AM
  To: declude.virus@declude.com
  Subject: [Declude.Virus] Declude Virus inoperable for 13% of th year?
  Importance: High
  Sensitivity: Personal

   

  Hi,

   

  Dave - so now that we have a working Declude Virus again, what can be done to 
prevent this from recurring.

   

  a)   Apparently Declude Virus has no error tracking in place at all - 
otherwise it would have REPORTED to us (or your own Declude to your own mail 
server) that the AVG API was no longer performing scans?

   

  b)   Do the customers need to set a follow-up reminder for December 2010, 
which is when your new renewed AVG license will expire?

   

  The old DecludeProc had THIS AVG License String:

   

  LicBeg, Ver=1.0, Name=Declude, Exp=2009-04-10

   

  So this implies, that the product was inoperable since April 10th for every 
customer because Declude didn't obtain a new annual AVG license and had to wait 
a few days for this transaction to complete? That means the product was 
unusable for 13% of the year?

   

  This can't just be brushed aside quietly. 

   

  Best Regards,

  Andy 


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