rec.autos.simulators

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 21:51:49 -0500, "Kasparov"

No-one can argue that there are some problems with CPR, but since you
are in business for yourself you have to realise that Microsoft cannot
win in this situation. They are in this to make money, we agree on
that? They have a product which they recognise has problems, and it's
coming up to Christmas. Missing the Christmas buying season is
commercial suicide, so they HAVE to release it. If they wait until
after Christmas they also risk bumping into Grand Prix Legends or the
fabled Grand Prix 3 - not healthy for sales. Yes, it should have been
done right, but having recognised that there are problems really there
was nothing else to do. The product being out there, it is then up to
us if we want to buy it.

The question now is, "will the patch repair the problems and make this
the product you expected?". If it does, and in a timely manner, then
it's really not too bad. If it doesn't, then some shouting needs to be
done. Here too MS/TRI cannot win - give you a patch that doesn't work
and they'll be attacked for the bugs, take their time and do it right
- they'll be attacked for the delays.

Of course it's not right that the game was released with problems, but
we've seen that in the past from both Microprose and Papyrus, both of
whom had lesser problems but balanced by a longer response time.
Knowing that, and seeing the comments here, it's really a case of
caveat emptor. You shouldn't have bought it.

Cheers!
John

Actually I've been there for about.....oh....30 minutes, stopping over
on a flight from Portland to London via Vancouver and Calgary (I
think). I was actually visiting Vancouver (WA), which I go to about
twice a year. A bit wierd travelling from Vancouver to Vancouver.

A friend emigrated there a few years ago, and was _shocked_ at how
cold it was. He said he had trouble breathing when he first was over
there, as the air was so cold when it hit his throat. Sounds awful. I
experienced -25 a few years ago in Norway, and that was waaaaaay too
much for me. Scotland doesn't sound so bad all of a sudden!

Cheers!
John

Finally, your goal is either to vent your anger and frustration, or it
is to convince Microsoft to do something other than what they are
currently doing.  If it is to vent, see the above.  If its the latter,
angry posts make NO difference.  The only thing you'll get from
getting all angry and upset is hostility or apathy back.  I suggest
you try being a LITTLE more constructive and I think you'll find that
it works better than being abusive, and you have a much better chance
to get what you want.

Here's the software industry's dirty secret:  Software is NEVER done.
It simply approaches a point to where what's undone and what's not
working properly becomes sufficiently minor to warrant shipping the
product.  The TR people could have gone on indefinitely adding
features, working on the AI, etc but at a certain point someone made
the decision to ship.  Obviously, many people here feel they made that
call too early. So be it.  Lesson learned.  But waiting til software
is done means you never get any software.  You simply do the best you
can within the constraints of the schedule you have and try to produce
the best product you can.  Its quite possible prioritizing some things
caused other, important things to be neglected until it was too late
to do anything about them for 1.0.  You register your opposition to
that version by not buying it.  Companies DO notice a lack of revenue,
and seeing returns coming back to them is a strong message.  It costs
the retailer and the publisher money to deal with returns.  You get
all your money back.

Welcome to PR-land.

Randy

Have you communicated this to STB?  I talked to their support staff
today and they knew nothing.  I also e-mailed them and received a
somewhat indignant response wondering why their drivers passed WHQL
certification (whatever that is) if they had these kinds of bugs in
them. Oh well, the Diamond drivers do not work on the Velocity (unless
someone can help me make it work), and so if you guys know what STB
and Diamond did wrong in the drivers, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pick up the
phone and let them know so that all the Riva owners can run CART (bear
in mind the number of Riva owners is growing FAST, as its now the
standard board shipped on every Dell Dimension computer, )as well as
Micron)  and is also running away with a lot of awards in the
reviews).  

Randy

Next time you plan to visit Norway, let me know and we can meet for a
few(?) beers(or something) and tell some lies about racing. And yes the
snow has arrived here in southern Norway as well; damn those low profile
tyres don`t have much traction these days :-)

Beers and cheers
Goy

Next time you plan to visit Norway, let me know and we can meet for a
few(?) beers(or something) and tell some lies about racing. And yes the
snow has arrived here in southern Norway as well; damn those low profile
tyres don`t have much traction these days :-)

Beers and cheers
Goy

If I hear anything more, I'll post it here.

He's always been very helpful. Its primarily because of his presence in that
video hardware newsgroup that I decided to buy the STB over the Diamond
card. Like the Microsoft/Terminal Reality people, I think we should
recognise and support those vendors who care enough to be here in spite of
those malcontents who choose to abuse the direct line of communication.

Randy,

    Thanks for not being as crazy as I have been. Your comments have been
constructive.  I must appologize to the newgroup for my insensitivity.  I
did not intend for my original post to be so out of hand. I didn't realize
that I was speaking in such a insulting tone but you are right.  Yes I have
become frustrated with the sim only becuase I feel it has great potential.
However, my comments were no thought out and on the rude side and I am sorry
for the newsgroup and the CART team.  I just lost my head and then I lost it
even more trying to defend myself. After a couple days of thinking ot over,
I realize my mistakes. Once again thanks for not being as rude as I have
been.  I await the patch and I hope it kicks some butt.  I will not blow up
again....I promise. These newgroups are too important to me.

Kasparov

Damn: Relax

On Thu, 04 Dec 1997 14:58:26 +0100, Ronald Stoehr

On that subject, I liked the Trabbie advert that came out afterwards.
Nice work by those Trabbie marketing guys :)

Cheers!
John

I used to visit Norway about twice per year, since a part of job at
that time involved contractual negotiations with various nuclear
reactors, I.F.E. at Kjeller near Oslo being one of them. Unfortunately
I don't do that anymore - I'm happy I don't have to visit reactors,
but sorry I don't get to visit Norway. It's an absolutely top country,
and one that I would strongly recommend to anyone. Very picturesque,
and amazingly hot in summertime.

I'd always planned to take my girlfriend back there for a holiday
sometime, so I'll see if I can pack my TSW and a few Scottish beers
into my bag without her noticing ;-)

Cheers!
John

PS - Very appropriate ISP! "arctic.no" :)

--
Wolfgang Preiss       \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.
wopr"at"stud.uni-sb.de \ There is no "2" in my real e-mail address.
Uni des Saarlands       \ Sorry for the inconvenience. You know why.

---Jim

It was here in Europe, either on TV or in the papers (I read an
article about the ads, tacked onto the end of an article about the
amazing somersaulting baby Merc).

The Trabant ad was released on the back of the Mercedes furore, and
showed the Trabant succesfully completing the famed "elk test", with
the headline "Come and get us Moose!", or something of that nature.

Quick work I thought. Even better if they could have showed an upside
down baby-Merc in the background, but we're not allowed to do that
sort of thing!

Cheers!
John