> Paul Scott wrote:
>
>> Allen,
>>
>> Sorry about the delay in replying to your question, I've been away
>> and when I got back there are so many posts to skim - and then I
>> found this (and several other) bons mots had not actually been
>> delivered but had somehow got stuck in my Outbox.
>>
>> On Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:27:02 -0000, Allen Bauer
>> <✉spicedham.codegear.com> wrote:
>>
>>> What would make you think that we're open to suggestions?
>> The very fact that you are contributing here is a good start! (and
>> Nick and Michael Swindell - although Mr Rozlog does seem to have gone
>> quiet recently)
>>
>> But I would guess that you will have a long, uphill struggle to
>> regain trust from long-time customers who have been burned in the
>> past. So if you want to minimise that timescale, you're going to have
>> to open up "above and beyond".
>
> We are all too painfully aware of this very thing. Its isn't going to
> happen overnight, and we have a lot to prove.
One of your main challenges. But I think that you should be a little bit
more innovative in the Delphi area. 3rd Raid was a good, innovative
product (hmmm... why I'm speaking at past tense?) but it seems that in
the Delphi's land the thing are somewhat 'usual'.
And I think that without a/some very-catchy-feature(s) (productivity is
a feature here), the Delphi for Mac won't gain market share.
>
> So we still have to be quick, agile an responsive to
> the market. That is a really tough thing to balance. We're still
> figuring it out... A clear example of this is how we're trying to get
> our roadmaps out publicly.
>
One of your main weapons. And in fact, one of your *few* weapons against
Microsoft, Adobe & Sun. Mind you, you aren't a FOSS foundation.
You must minimize your response time and for this one of the key things
is to know ASAP what will be our problems tomorrow (where the ball is
heading, not where the ball is). And for this, your participation here
is crucial.
>
> Not all the blame is being placed on them. However, the damage that was
> done and the scar-tissue that has built up will take a while to fix. I
> don't think we're perfect, but I *do* think we are moving the right
> direction. We've been out from under Borland's thumb for a mere 1.5
> years. While that is considered eons in "Internet time," it is still
> going to be very hard to undo nearly a decade of "fun" while with
> Borland.
>
+1
> That is my "cross to bear."
This is a big reason for us to have trust in you. Pride (aka. 'the
piece-of-cake' effect) is one of the most destructive things for a
programmer.
>
> Since there is a lot of strategic planning going on internally (more is
> happening today, AAMOF), we really, really have to make sure our ducks
> are in a row before we roll things out. I know it sounds like a brush
> off, but trying to eat a half-baked cake is pretty gross ;-). (See the
> above about the company size)
>
Imho, you (as company) are *too* afraid about (short-term) revenues.
Yes, I read your other posts and I understand from where it comes - but
I think that you should be more confident more free to innovate. Just a
little bit. And ask us about what it should be in the product. As you
know, we are pretty skilled to be vocal if something is wrong.
And don't be afraid to show something which won't be released. Remember
the 'Delphi Parallel Library'. There was a *good* feedback on that even
if it wasn't released.
Go ahead and show us new things. But, btw, don't use your skills to
convince us that the language must be kept as is <vbg>. We really need
an 'using' keyword. Of course, imho.
>
>> 4) Active contribution from EMBT employees...
>> a. in these newsgroups - I'm full of admiration for the help that
>> Peter, Wayne, Rudy and others provide for free - but it is your
>> product after all.
>
> While we don't have a dedicated "newsgroup team" a lot EMBT employees
> do at least read these groups.
>
I think that's the better approach. The team must focus mainly on their
job. But they definitely must keep the contact with the 'outside reality'.
--
m. Th.
On the Wings of the Wind...
http://wings-of-wind.com/