Aura Why no updates on kobo.com?

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

i, again it appears that somehow you are missing the point that users syncing to kobo's kobo.com should not (in my view at least) be left in the lurch without one of the more recent versions over the past several weeks...this while it is readily evident to these users that they are getting passed over despite going to the kobo site.

It is most certainly NOT evident to most users that they are getting "passed over." How do most users know there is a firmware update at all? They do not know until their device downloads it or unless they happen to read about it here. And if they read about it here, they will also know that they can get the latest firmware update IMMEDIATELY by downloading it themselves. If you don't want to wait your turn in line, go get the item yourself rather than waiting for someone else to get it for you.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Nope, as clarified a few times already, just don't feel that users should miss out on multiple updates over a rather lengthy time period while knowing full well that others are getting them.

Clear now?

hi peter,

you seem like a nice guy which is something i aspire to be myself, i understand the point that you are making very clearly indeed.

i'm sure you can see the logic of a staggered/staged roll out or would you prefer everyone at kobo.com to get the latest firmware at the same time even though it could be riddled with more bugs than fixes in which case it wouldn't be worth having.

best wishes koboy

[petercreasey]

s, perhaps you are overlooking the fact that the vast majority of users never come here; thus, have no idea how to switch affiliates in order to get updates...nor do they even know the option exists.

I come here but only skim over the a small percentage of the dialogue; therefore, I don't know how to switch affiliates either. I understand it is easy, but I don't have time or the urge to bone up on it.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

s, perhaps you are overlooking the fact that the vast majority of users never come here; thus, have no idea how to switch affiliates in order to get updates...nor do they even know the option exists.

Or that they are "missing out". Imagine, there is a whole portion of the user base out there who never learned of the glory of the New Home Screen!

Your outrage on their behalf is reassuring though. It's good to know that this "majority of users" who aren't the least bit bothered by something they are entirely ignorant about, have such a dedicated champion for their cause.

No, I'm not in the least bit serious, since I find this entire thread to be a big joke about one of the biggest non-issues I've seen here in a while.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

s, perhaps you are overlooking the fact that the vast majority of users never come here; thus, have no idea how to switch affiliates in order to get updates...nor do they even know the option exists.

I come here but only skim over the a small percentage of the dialogue; therefore, I don't know how to switch affiliates either. I understand it is easy, but I don't have time or the urge to bone up on it.

your right the vast majority of users don't use this forum so they are blissfully unaware of when new firmwares are available and they just patiently wait for there device to update as and when it is ready to do so.

best wishes koboy

[petercreasey]

It seems surprising to think that anyone here would maintain that uneven (substandard?) service is fine as long as the users are unaware.

Judging by some of the comments I've seen, these unaware users are experiencing slower page-turn response times, among whatever other improvements might have have been implemented. Ignorance is bliss, huh?!?

Surprising!

[EDITED TO ADD] No outrage has been expressed!

[koboy]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

It seems surprising to think that anyone here would maintain that uneven (substandard?) service is fine as long as the users are unaware.

Judging by some of the comments I've seen, these unaware users are experiencing slower page-turn response times, among whatever other improvements might have have been implemented. Ignorance is bliss, huh?!?

Surprising!

[EDITED TO ADD] No outrage has been expressed!

with the greatest respect peter have you read about any significant improvements in the latest firmware on this forum? if so please share what you think you are missing out on.

best wishes koboy

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by geek1011

I am quite sure the serial number does not matter. My update checker just sends a bunch of zeros. Using real serial numbers has not ever resulted in different versions for me.

And I know that the serial number can matter. Normally, it doesn't matter, but Kobo can send a particular version to a specific device. It is likely they do it when debugging a problem with a user and then remove the configuration from their server afterwards. And there are other circumstances that it could be used. Randomly trying a serial number is unlikely to produce a different result.

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

It seems surprising to think that anyone here would maintain that uneven (substandard?) service is fine as long as the users are unaware.

Judging by some of the comments I've seen, these unaware users are experiencing slower page-turn response times, among whatever other improvements might have have been implemented. Ignorance is bliss, huh?!?

Surprising!

[EDITED TO ADD] No outrage has been expressed!

It is not substandard service to do software and/or firmware rollouts over a period of time. This is standard industry practice. The benefit of faster page turning is minor compared with the potential disaster of a device that can only be used as a doorstop due to an undiscovered bug. Also, the resulting bad publicity about a show-stopping bug is worse if it affects hundreds of thousands of users rather than a few hundred users. Honestly, Peter, this is not that difficult to understand. Users who don't get the new firmware right away still have a device they can use every day as it was intended, which is all most of them care about. If you care more about getting the new firmware immediately, then download and install it yourself. Why do you keep insisting that everyone should get it immediately? That is a recipe for disaster.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Nope, as clarified a few times already, just don't feel that users should miss out on multiple updates over a rather lengthy time period while knowing full well that others are getting them.

Clear now?

OK, I think I see your problem now.

Your issue is that Kobo released several version of the firmware quickly. And under their normal staggered distribution schedule, the devices that were early in the release schedule received several updates, and the devices near the end, haven't received any updates. You feel that is unfair.

Is that the problem?

If so, then, it is not unfair, and is actually a demonstration that the policy of staggered distribution is working.

The reason I state this is because of the reason for the extra firmware releases.

Generally, Kobo releases firmware several months apart. The release schedule seems to be about a month long (I get them after about three weeks). So, normally, everyone should get the update before the next one is released.

I have stated why Kobo uses the staggered release schedule. One of those reasons was "Small initial release in case of problems.". The recent releases are because of this. Kobo released an update and then found a problem. They then stopped the distribution of the update. That means that anyone who hadn't received the bad update wouldn't get it in the future. And anyone who had received the bad update and did factory reset, would get the last good firmware version. This is the right thing to do as it prevents the problem from spreading.

Kobo then fix the problem and release the fixed firmware. Who should this go to? It needs to go to the people affected by the bug that is being fixed. They are the people early in the normal release schedule. They could target releases to these people, but just using the standard release schedule will mean that the people that are most likely to be affected by the problem will get it first.

So yes, some people are missing updates. But, overall, it is probably a good thing. If there is a problem with a firmware version that means Kobo have to quickly replace it, then it probably good that not everyone received it.

[Braid]

Right. So instead of seeing each successive firmware release as an *improvement* over the last, it makes more sense to think of it as kind of beta testing for new approaches and solutions. Kindle's way of rolling out firmware is slightly different - the releases are not all sent out at exactly the same time, but, anyone can visit the amazon website to sideload the new firmware version, and, significantly, there tends to be a list of concrete new features and upgrades associated with each version.

That way of looking at Kobo's firmware update protocol definitely ties in with my experience. I remember waiting weeks for an update I had seen announced on this forum, growing rather impatient, then all of a sudden, my reader updated itself with an even *newer* version - meaning my device was among the first to receive it. My interpretation of this is that not all firmware releases are equal - some of them contain new features and improvements that *everyone* gets straight away, because everyone will benefit from them - whereas others might be trials for certain things, to be tested against, and compared with, older firmware versions... for example, improved responsiveness and page-turning speed *versus* battery lifespan, being trialed and experimented with using two firmware versions simultaneously.

Sorry for the meandering speculative block of text, heh.

[petercreasey]

Several weeks and multiple version updates are not available to some (who knows how many) users at kobo.com.

How many weeks and how many versions do y'all feel is reasonable for kobo.com to let pass before knowledgeable and unknowing KA1 users should be brought up to date by kobo.com?

[dordale]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Several weeks and multiple version updates are not available to some (who knows how many) users at kobo.com.

How many weeks and how many versions do y'all feel is reasonable for kobo.com to let pass before knowledgeable and unknowing KA1 users should be brought up to date by kobo.com?

I don't think you can assign a time limit or number to it. Really if Kobo released an update, subsequently found a problem with it and then stopped pushing the update out to other users, I'd personally be happy not to get the update.

In reality, I have wi-fi turned off and don't sync my Kobo--because I'd rather update on my schedule after I've determined (by reading here) if there is anything in the current version that I want. If there is, I'll then update manually. I'd much rather be in charge of when my Kobo updates than letting Kobo (or anyone else) be in charge of this, and maybe pushing an update to my device that I don't need or want.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Several weeks and multiple version updates are not available to some (who knows how many) users at kobo.com.

How many weeks and how many versions do y'all feel is reasonable for kobo.com to let pass before knowledgeable and unknowing KA1 users should be brought up to date by kobo.com?

If you were capable of forcing your way of thinking away from "newer is ALWAYS better!" you'd be able to answer your own question. And as long as you aren't, no on else will ever be able to give you an answer that satisfies you.

You should probably buy another brand of eReader next time, rather than staying with one that bothers you to this extent. You'll feel a lot better.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by dordale

I don't think you can assign a time limit or number to it. Really if Kobo released an update, subsequently found a problem with it and then stopped pushing the update out to other users, I'd personally be happy not to get the update.

And so would most other users as well.

Case in point, the redesigned home screen that was forced on several of us a couple of updates ago.