🚀 go-pugleaf

> >
> >you guys are missing the point--Nescape has developed an attitude problem
> >of the highest magnitude: it has decided to foist its bug-ridden,
> >crash-prone software off on us and have US do the beta-testing FOR them.
> >What do you think the little "bugs" contest is all about, simple
> >generosity on Netscape's part? This is really sheer arrogance, though I
> >suppose the board of directors at Netscape would call it "efficency."

> If you want production quality code, stay with the offical releases,
> pay for the software and bitch at support if it fails to work.
> 
> I hope that Netscape continues to give those customers who like to
> play with new prototype software the opportunity so to do.
> 
> Why do you wish to deprive me of the opportunity to use buggy beta
> software ??? I don't wish to deprive you of the opportunity to
> use stable production products. I want you to make your choice.
> And, I want to make MY choice.
> 

once again, people are missing the point: If I was a programmer, wouldn't
it be a dream to have half a million beta testers blithely take over my
job and find all the bugs for me? How many other corporations, large and
small, have such a resource to plunder--and are doing such a great job of
pludering it? I used the netscape beta 2.01b for about 2 days and it was a
complete dog--crashed constantly and predictably. This software wasn;t fit
to be released to the alpha testers, much less let out of the company
pool, yet they left it to me to find the bugs! I certainly remember
reading all of the "release agreement" before i dowloaded the stuff, and
it said lots about Netscape not being responsible for anything at all ever
including the ozone hole, but it did't say anywhere "Sorry, this version
is a real dog, expect to have to rebuild your system after using it for an
hour!"  If any other company (let's use Adobe as an example) released a
piece of software so buggy, even with a "b" on the end of the name, they
would be chased into the fire--but not beloved Netscape.

I'm just dissapointed that a promising company is behaving so arrogantly.
Don't believe me? wait until you get charged $45 (student or not) for the
next version of Netscape. After that ridiculously inflated public sale of
stock, they are under pretty severe pressure to make big bucks this
year...

Yes, caveat downloader and all that--if I use beta software, I should
expect a crash or two. I guess my problem is with the attitude expressed
by their premature releases... I don't want to *deprive* anyone of the
bility to do this, I just want to see people recognize this practice for
the corporate monolithic behavior that it is.

michael