#NewTek's Attitude
9 messages in this thread
Hank,
As you know, I've come down on NewTek at times. Maybe more harshly than I
should. In the last few weeks that have surprised me by returning my calls and
faxes and in one case called me without me having to call them.
But, we really need their presence on this forum. As someone has pointed out.
It is the NewTek forum.
I beta tested some products for Parson's Technology a few year ago. Strickly
computer software. However, we posted everything to a CIS forum and within 24
hours Parson's would answer each and every person. If there was a problem that
would either admit it or tell us what to try. They even opened their own BBS
with a toll free number just for the Beta testers.
As you and most of us have said, we are really beta testing the Flyer on a
larger scale than the beta testers were. I'm guessing there are more of us than
the beta testers. So, NewTek is gaining a lot of information about how their
product is being used and operating in the field.
But, when it comes to getting answers to some problems, I feel like we are all
playing one of those mystery games, where all the participants have to find the
murderer by figuring out all of the clues.
NewTek should be on line and give us answers or reasons for the things we
encounter. As a group, we've come up with a lot of information about keyboard
short-cuts and overcome some of the operating problems, but when we start
hitting the wall, NewTek should just come forth and tell us where to turn.
A good example is the Test Clip. I was told that it has to be left on the Flyer
drive. NewTek should have jumped in when my message first appeared and
confirmed that and told us why.
Thats just a small example, there are a lot better, but I don't want to make
this a longer message than it already is.
How about the next time you take to them, you strongly suggest that they get
involved. They built the darn thing. They should know more about it than
anybody.
Then again, maybe we know more than they do and if so that is frightening.
Fred
Well said, Fred.
GK
Fred,
As is often the case, the users need to use the software in ways the
programmers haven't envisioned. The result is always frustrating.
We all took 3.9 delivery, knowing it was not a finished, complete system,
but I believe our commitment should not go unnoticed. If NewTek could at
least give us a status of bugs and recommendations, we would know our
efforts have been rewarding.
I've had indepth demos' of Media 100 and Avid's Media Suite Pro over the
last two days, and there is NO reason, I see, that Toaster 4.0 shouldn't
sell easily against them. Let's get movin'
Hank
Videology, Inc. Where you get P.O.M.P. under
all circumstances
"If NewTek could at least give us a status of bugs and recommendations, we
would know our
efforts have been rewarding."
Hank:
Software development is not a linear process. It just as likely that in
correcting Problem A, that Problem Z will be created and so on. What you think
you fixed today may break tomorrow.
And finally at some point you have to declare the product finished and ready
to ship, though some anomalies still remain. I don't envy anyone completing a
large scale software project: half the time they don't even know where they
are. Asking them to burden themselves with providing a running commentary isn't
a fair thing to do.
NewTek has proven itself to be quite responsive to its market in the past –
and there's no reason to expect that their attitude will change. In my opinion,
you have performed an invaluable service to NewTek and all of us through your
unstinting efforts at cataloging, organizing and communicating the Flyer bugs,
problems and suggestions and I strongly suspect that NewTek is listening – but
that they're just plain too busy finishing the product to be terribly
responsive. We'll just have to wait and see.
Jerry
Hank,
I agree with you. These notes need to be addressed to NewTek. I know they are
watching this forum.
Fred
Just in case you folks might not be aware, NewTek does have it's own BBS, which
is a long distance call, but you know that you are getting the NewTek folks.
I logged in on several occasions to problem solve some system set-up questions
with my Toaster. I would log on in the afternoon after fiddling with the
system and post my questions. Sure enough, by the next morning, or perhaps 36
hrs. later, I would have helpful suggestions waiting. The techs also stayed
with the problem until it was solved. Everything they suggested was helpful,
and now my system is totally up and working.
Not to say that NewTek shouldn't also monitor this board, but you know that
with their board, you are talking right into the horse's mouth.
Hope this is of interest.
–David
David,
I knew of their board, but when I logged on a few months ago, and left a
message, I never got a reply. This was before the release of the Flyer, so
maybe now the board is more active.
Fred
"talking right into the horses mouth"? Yeccch. Do you suppose that's why they
don't answer us?
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
Good point… er, I mean, speaking directly to the folks at NewTek…
–David