Matt Denton 31/8/01 4:01 am [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Hi all,
>
>Seems like the pricing issue is still raging on so I wanted to add my
>two-bobs worth because I tool feel there is an issue:
>
>I own a multimedia company so $350 is not so much of an issue
>particularly for the power hidden in Rev (but unfortunately our dollar
>is not strong so that translates into $700 Aussie dollars). Anyway I
>swallowed the pill because I was SO EXCITED by the potential for the
>product, even though I don't have a project for Rev yet. I wanted to
>test the stability...
>
>As a multimedia tool (but is it really, no support for alpha and true 32
>bit blends; only partial QT control) it shoots way past the expensive
>Director, and yes, Heather pointed out that you need to buy a PC and a
>Mac version (unless you use a stub projector) just to develop a
>cross-platform version. Macromedia is sickening. So it is good value
>on this front.
>
>The problem for me is elsewhere: STABILITY. I'm afraid to deploy
>anything in the Real world for fear of it falling over or running into
>compatibility issues. I'm unsure where the Rev code issues start and
>where the underling Metacard engine issues are. Is the bug the engine
>or just some code that won't affect final delivery of my product (when
>the authoring environment is removed and the product deployed)? This
>reminds me of my first $1,000 purchase of Videoworks interactive
>(Director now). It was expensive and didn't deliver, just too buggy.
>Bad pill.
>
>I truly believe -- hope -- that 1.1 will more than anything solve the
>two pages of issues I've had with the product. Many are small interface
>issues, others like system crashes are more of a worry. I really want
>this to be a great environment and believe that overall it will become
>stable and clean. So what do I do with it? Keep playing and when it
>feels stable, try a live one on a client.
>
>Before I go on I would like to congratulate the Rev team for building an
>absolutely amazing product, and all in the runtime environment. Your
>code is amazing, your tool has really made great use of the Metacard
>engine. Many many thanks, a great REVival... Our company goes way back
>(as most on the list do?) to Hypercard and Supercard development, now
>shelved, both sadly lacking cross platform (and UNIX too! that is
>UNHEARD OF! WOW!) So a big thanks!
>
>My litmus test for a product value works like this (it may be a bit
>harsh for some): for every hour of work with no issue, add $1. For
>every bug or issue, subtract $1 (you can only subtract once only for one
>bug, even if it repeats). Then there are the bonuses: excellent
>implementation or code, add $5. Excellent UI, add $5.
>
>So what is RunRev's value to us? Surprisingly it has started creep back
>up from falling to the depths when I first started using the product,
>probably because I've been staying up every night working on it and
>loving it (much to my partner's dislike, but she has to swallow the pill
>too). The best litmus result was Adobe Photoshop: it has almost doubled
>in price for me (but that is an old love affair I can't explain).
>
>The point of all this raving (took a long time, didn't it)? Just to
>point out that the pill becomes a horse pill when the product has lots
>of UI and environment bugs, sort of feels like you are paying for Beta
>software. I think $350 is really very very reasonable for the power the
>Rev can deliver, particularly in relation to the rest of the playing
>field.
>
>In fact I'm sure you guys are not driving around in BMWs and need every
>cent we can offer. I think your main challenge will be in the
>marketing, stability and overall 'cleanness' of the product. Tribeworks
>is expen$ive but stable. Director is outrageou$ but somewhat stable...
>well, ummm... yes... mTropolis WAS expen$$ive but stable, it then fell
>dramatically in price and then finally fell from earth. Sadly we paid
>full tilt for this too. Rev is value in this light but needs bit more
>light for stability... it will then have a floodlight on it!
>
>---
>
>I love this young list because you get real answers, real discussion and
>real contributions from the RunRev team: thanks to everyone that kindly
>donates their time. And you can read the whole digest without losing
>your day... well maybe not after this slog of a donation.
>
>Communities are one of the most important assets for a growing product,
>they help pass the good word on and in the developer community the first
>place to 'get a feel' for the product is the list. I think overall this
>list has been very positive and active (I haven't heard a peep out of
>the Yahoo list...)
>
>I hope I haven't hurt anyone ;..( you guys all need all the love,
>support and encouragement you can get. I guess I'm just adding my
>perspective in the hope that others that follow won't be turned away
>from a fabulous product and that 1.1 turns up more fixes than features:
>or both if you can do it!
>
>A long two-bobs worth, hey (is that an Australian saying only)? I'm
>sure I'm going to be eating my words come October 31, probably choking
>on them and celebrating!
Matt, I read all of the above with great interest and attention, as I'm
sure the rest of the team has too. Stability is certainly something we
are concentrating on. If there are any bugs you found that you haven't
reported, please do, either on the improve Rev list or direct to Kevin or
Michael, we need all the input we can get to ensure 1.1 is as solid as
possible.
As far as being hurt goes, any team that can't take critiscism as well as
praise simply isn't going to get very far. What doesn't kill us makes us
stronger...
Regards,
Heather
>M@
>Matt Denton
>
>
Heather Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <http://www.runrev.com/>
Runtime Revolution Ltd, formerly Cross Worlds Computing,
Tel: +44 (0)131 7184333. Fax: +44 (0)1639 830 707.
Please quote all previous correspondance when replying to email.
