rec.autos.simulators

by **larryh..** » Sat, 30 Oct 1999 04:00:00

Greetings All,

I have been patient and have defended Sierra/Papy on various forums
concerning the slow release of the patch. As a software developer I
am painfully aware of how hard it is to meet dates and such. But no
more defense!!

Sierra has shown nothing but disdain for its customers since the
1.1.0.3 patch was released. First reportedly fixed within a mater of
days, and is beta tested very quickly. Next comes the "leak"
of 1.2 on Papy's German website. No ones fault but Sierra/Papy (S/P).

Because of that leak the software got out into the public. It was -
and is still available. Some people had their websites deleted for
placing the leaked software on them. This was done at the request of
S/P representatives. Remember - Sierra/Papy leaked the software? The
only people hurt have again been the customers of S/P's products.

Then N3 (or N2 + more system crashes) is released too much fanfare
and hoopla. All of it total rubbish. One can not blame them. N3 will
sell more copies in a week than GPL in a year, and they do need to
have income. Too bad it was only a patch to N2. But the Nascar racers
will pay, so no matter.

Now here we are a month later and still no GPL patch. No word, no
update, no nothing. Questions about the patch go ignored by S/P on
this forum (when there is a forum) and others.

Now here comes Nascar Legends, N2+ for the nostalgic set. But you
truck fans can wait! More rubbish.

I took N3 back the next day - after deleting it. I will not look for
NL at all. Only vote we have is with our pocketbooks!

The bottom line IMHO is that S/P does not care about the GPL
customers. S/P is simply arrogant and incompetent. If you bought GPL
and like it, they think you are a real sucker, after all where else
do you have to go?

If I misrepresented any facts I will be the first to retract and
apologize. But I feel pretty safe. Meanwhile I have the 1.1.0.14
patch and am very happily using it on-line. Huge improvement!

I wish there was a way to force an "official" representative
of S/P to make an appearance on this forum, but that is unrealistic.
Such an occurrence would not fit the Bill Gates model for software
company success. The amount of good will S/P is willing to waist is
beyond my comprehension.

Very frustrated,
Larry

Sent via Deja.com http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Before you buy.

by **Marty U'Re** » Sat, 30 Oct 1999 04:00:00

Welcome Larry to the growing throngs of GPL users who have totally given up
on Sierra, both their products and their customer support.

> Greetings All,

> I have been patient and have defended Sierra/Papy on various forums
> concerning the slow release of the patch. As a software developer I
> am painfully aware of how hard it is to meet dates and such. But no
> more defense!!

> Sierra has shown nothing but disdain for its customers since the
> 1.1.0.3 patch was released. First reportedly fixed within a mater of
> days, and is beta tested very quickly. Next comes the "leak"
> of 1.2 on Papy's German website. No ones fault but Sierra/Papy (S/P).

> Because of that leak the software got out into the public. It was -
> and is still available. Some people had their websites deleted for
> placing the leaked software on them. This was done at the request of
> S/P representatives. Remember - Sierra/Papy leaked the software? The
> only people hurt have again been the customers of S/P's products.

> Then N3 (or N2 + more system crashes) is released too much fanfare
> and hoopla. All of it total rubbish. One can not blame them. N3 will
> sell more copies in a week than GPL in a year, and they do need to
> have income. Too bad it was only a patch to N2. But the Nascar racers
> will pay, so no matter.

> Now here we are a month later and still no GPL patch. No word, no
> update, no nothing. Questions about the patch go ignored by S/P on
> this forum (when there is a forum) and others.

> Now here comes Nascar Legends, N2+ for the nostalgic set. But you
> truck fans can wait! More rubbish.

> I took N3 back the next day - after deleting it. I will not look for
> NL at all. Only vote we have is with our pocketbooks!

> The bottom line IMHO is that S/P does not care about the GPL
> customers. S/P is simply arrogant and incompetent. If you bought GPL
> and like it, they think you are a real sucker, after all where else
> do you have to go?

> If I misrepresented any facts I will be the first to retract and
> apologize. But I feel pretty safe. Meanwhile I have the 1.1.0.14
> patch and am very happily using it on-line. Huge improvement!

Very true.

Sierra's problem is likely either just classic corporate stupidity or, more
interestingly, some kinda of internal political battle. My guess is the
latter. Hasn't Papy been downsized, moved to smaller offices, people laid
off? Smells of the classic battle between the creative people and the suits.

Marty

by **Borut Srebotni** » Sun, 31 Oct 1999 04:00:00

Just today i saw A. Hine ( in GPL Spy Boy ) doing private testing with her
GPL server and her version was incompatible with 1.013 we've got. So, i
guess Papy is working on the patch. BTW, where did you get 1.014 patch?
Another "leak" ?

Borut

by **Pickar** » Sun, 31 Oct 1999 04:00:00

TOTALLY AGREE!!!!

Well put

James Pickard
Grand Prix Legends Australian Champion
Very dissapointed Customer :-(