> I am angry because of the bad-will the use of MC may have caused
> between my company and one of our customers. The implications of
> releasing a product that suddenly fails to execute based upon the
> calendar date are abhorant.
>
> Is anyone else as disturbed as I am?
While I can understand Mr. Pothier's disapointment with the way
MetaCard has put an expiration date in the BETA versions of their
software, I can't say that I am "disturbed" by it. Here are my
reasons:
1) Contrary to what Mr. Pothier indicated, MetaCard did tell customers
that there was an expiration date in the release announcement message.
Obviously MetaCard did not do a good enough job at getting this
message out. I have briefly looked through the 1.4 README files and
did not find mention of it.
2) The reasoning given by MetaCard why they took this course of action
is valid. Trying to resolve bugs over and over on pre-release software
can be costly and frustrating. Making the software stop working in a
very obvious way emphasizes that pre-release software should not be used
once there is a production release available.
3) It would seem to me that part of the problem in this situation was
that SAIC chose to give pre-release software to their customers.
While I understand the desire to use new features and the latest and
greatest software, this was a poor decision. I don't think that
MetaCard should take the blame for that.
Having said that, I think that Mr. Poither's idea about placing a
warning message in software that will expire is a good one. I hope
that MetaCard will take this approach in the future.
Bill Lange /\\\\ Remember:
EDS Unigraphics Implementation Services (|@ -|) Everywhere is within
telephone: (314) 344-2619 | >| walking distance if
FAX: (314) 344-8773 \~/ you have the time.
Internet: lange@ug.eds.com