The Vent and Rant Thread

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

I might be, but with reservations.

As I understand it, the Windows Mobile reader version was unsupported beta code. (Since the reps you talked to weren't aware it existed, that seems quite likely.)

If I run stuff like that, I expect problems, and assume issues that might arise are on me. If it's production code, I'll file bug reports and raise a general stink.

My major issue is: If this is beta SW, not designed for public use,

• Why is it available on a public server (still),
• Why are there references to it, and a working link, in the B&N forums, and
• Why are they doing forced upgrades to this beta CAB file, when no one's using it?

For the record, there have been no responses to my support email after 28 hours.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

My major issue is: If this is beta SW, not designed for public use,

• Why is it available on a public server (still),
• Why are there references to it, and a working link, in the B&N forums, and
• Why are they doing forced upgrades to this beta CAB file, when no one's using it?

For the record, there have been no responses to my support email after 28 hours.

I think the call center is in Alpha Centauri.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

My major issue is: If this is beta SW, not designed for public use,
[*]Why is it available on a public server (still),

If you issue beta code, you are doing so so folks can test it, and they have to be able to get it to test.

You can make a case that the code should be removed from the server. And possibly it should have been, but it's way too easy in large scale development efforts for stuff like that to slip though the cracks.

[*] Why are there references to it, and a working link, in the B&N forums, and

They're forums. The link isn't on the main B&N site. And keeping such links off forums is a non-trivial task.

[*]Why are they doing forced upgrades to this beta CAB file, when no one's using it?

I suspect the forced upgrade is code common across all devices they've ported to. It's one of the things you would want a beta to test.

For the record, there have been no responses to my support email after 28 hours.

Unsurprising.

Sorry Steve, but when you install and use "use at your own risk" software, you have to expect bugs, and you can't really complain when you encounter them. That's what beta testing is all about.

I have no interest in a Windows Mobile device, smartphone or otherwise. But if I had one and my option for reading ebooks on it was unsupported beta code, I'd be aware of what I was getting into and take precautions. The keyword is "unsupported". If it bites me on the ass, it's up to me to apply first aid. I can't reasonably expect the people who created the software to send the paramedics.
______
Dennis

[recluse]

You know the old saying:

"People with glass nipples shouldn't abuse themselves with pliers"

Words to live by!

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Sorry Steve, but when you install and use "use at your own risk" software, you have to expect bugs, and you can't really complain when you encounter them. That's what beta testing is all about.

I have no interest in a Windows Mobile device, smartphone or otherwise. But if I had one and my option for reading ebooks on it was unsupported beta code, I'd be aware of what I was getting into and take precautions. The keyword is "unsupported". If it bites me on the ass, it's up to me to apply first aid. I can't reasonably expect the people who created the software to send the paramedics.

Not that I would suggest the rest of the world needs signs to show them where the sky is, but those who provide open-source betas usually make it clear that it's beta in print that Stevie Wonder could read, and admonish you numerous times that beta software may not work right, crash your machine, burn your retinae, cause your toaster to explode and/or generally ruin your day. Perhaps the authors didn't put enough effort into this aspect?

I haven't been to the site but from experience most Windows users think of "beta" as "the version of Firefox that comes out 15 minutes before the final version". Software devs need to know their audience too.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Ah but we have the Religious Right!

It's more than them.

A former co-worker was telling me about a talk he attended by a University of California law professor. The professor made a good case that all laws attempting to prevent things like drinking or drug use had an "us vs them" mentality. The ones controlling the society would impose restrictions on things done by those who weren't part of their group.

A good example is the prohibition against marijuana. It's a weed. It grows wild in a lot of places. A neighbor of my late grandmother and great-grandmother, who shared a house in Philadelphia, once commented "Oh, marijuana! We used to smoke that stuff all the time when I was a kid in Texas!" (Mom and I were visiting Grandma and great Grandma when Charlie stopped by to look in on them. Mom was not pleased at his revelation, since she and I had, um, discussions on the topic.)

It didn't become criminalized until the '30s, and there's good evidence that happened because smoking marijuana was seen as popular in the black community. Can't have us taking up their bad habits...

Similar analysis can be applied to other prohibitions. The variables will be who "us" and "them" are. Religion is a motivating factor, but not the only one.
______
Dennis

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

Not that I would suggest the rest of the world needs signs to show them where the sky is, but those who provide open-source betas usually make it clear that it's beta in print that Stevie Wonder could read, and admonish you numerous times that beta software may not work right, crash your machine, burn your retinae, cause your toaster to explode and/or generally ruin your day. Perhaps the authors didn't put enough effort into this aspect?

I haven't been to the site but from experience most Windows users think of "beta" as "the version of Firefox that comes out 15 minutes before the final version". Software devs need to know their audience too.

Oh, I agree. But how I respond to such complaints varies depending on the complainer. Steve is an IT guy at his day job. (Web development, IIRC.) My initial reaction was "Dude! It's beta code! What did you expect?"

I'm more understanding with folks I don't expect to know better.
______
Dennis

[dsvick]

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

... most Windows users think of "beta" as "the version of Firefox that comes out 15 minutes before the final version". Software devs need to know their audience too.

gmail too. It was beta for something like 3 or 4 years. I remember using it the first few months with a bit of trepidation, then forgot all about it being beta.

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

It didn't become criminalized until the '30s, and there's good evidence that happened because smoking marijuana was seen as popular in the black community. Can't have us taking up their bad habits...

This doesn't apply to drugs in general but the textile industry has/had a lot to do with the criminalization of marijuana as well. A number of...erm, younger pro-legalization types like to point out the numerous economic benefits of hemp and they're actually not too far off...about that anyway.

I personally think the decriminalization of pot is on its way; it's just taking longer than it should. Even Obama said, "I inhaled; that was the point". I watched "Reefer Madness" on USA back when Night Flight was on, and I of course indulged numerous times when I was in my 20s. I can say from personal experience that Bill Hicks was right about the cultural differences between people who are regular binge-drinkers and people who regularly burn a joint; I've only seen one person in my entire life get belligerent when stoned and he was a jerk when he was straight anyway (still is from what I hear).

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by dsvick

gmail too. It was beta for something like 3 or 4 years. I remember using it the first few months with a bit of trepidation, then forgot all about it being beta.

There's a GMail Labs feature you can install to restore the Beta designation if you really miss it.
______
Dennis

[kennyc]

So what's the best android phone and network at the moment?
(if you want consider this a rant against my current do-nothing phone)

[wodin]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

It didn't become criminalized until the '30s, and there's good evidence that happened because smoking marijuana was seen as popular in the black community. Can't have us taking up their bad habits...

Similar analysis can be applied to other prohibitions. The variables will be who "us" and "them" are. Religion is a motivating factor, but not the only one.
______
Dennis

I heard that it was criminalized because DuPont had invented nylon, and lobbied to have it criminalize in order to prevent completion from hemp in the manufacture of mooring lines for ships.

This came from a high school history teacher who was old enough to have remembered it.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by wodin

I heard that it was criminalized because DuPont had invented nylon, and lobbied to have it criminalize in order to prevent completion from hemp in the manufacture of mooring lines for ships.

This came from a high school history teacher who was old enough to have remembered it.

yep! that was a BIG factor!

[badgoodDeb]

KK - I like the new avatar! I saw that pic yesterday or the day before. Great idea too, dropping (jacketed) dogs to help in rescue operations.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by kennyc

So what's the best android phone and network at the moment?
(if you want consider this a rant against my current do-nothing phone)

I have an HTC EVO 4G on Sprint. Not because there aren't competing superphones, but because in my area, Sprint has the best coverage, and most bang for the buck. Your mileage may vary.