A call for calm and a tip of the hat to the Rev team..thanks!

miscdas at boxfrog.com miscdas at boxfrog.com
Sat Aug 2 05:22:00 EDT 2003


Stephen Quinn Barncard writes:
[snip] 

> I'd like to come to Rev's defense here and remind some of our more 
> impatient new users that this is still the 'early days' of the Revolution 
> company. There are only a handful of very overworked folks doing a very 
> wonderful thing- giving us a tool that is not only VERY innovative and 
> useful, but one that is constantly being updated and improved. 

Yes. And like many companies before them, their small size and lack of 
experience results in easily biting off more than they can chew.
> 
> Perhaps the documentation is not as complete as you would like, but just 
> try and envision some megalith such as Microsloth or Adobe building a 
> product like this (they wouldn't even try - and if they did, it would cost 
> a lot more).

I can tell you as an experienced technical writer (specializing in software 
user guides) that it is very common for companies to view documentation as a 
necessary evil. An app that took 2-3 years to develop and sells for $1000 a 
pop is expected to be documented in a few weeks for the cost of one unit (or 
less!). So, it is really pointless to look over your shoulder an compare to 
what "everyone else" has done--do what you KNOW is the right thing to do 
(especially listen to the end users). 

> 
> Those kind of companies may make slick manuals, but they don't offer 
> products that are updated and improved nearly as often as what you see 
> here. And those companies have HUNDREDS of employees. And try to get bug 
> fixes from Adobe. Ha!

I've worked in companies large and small, as well as a couple that went for 
small to medium. Believe me, corporate philosophy, ethics, and treatment of 
both customers and employees undergo startling changes, usually not 
complimentary changes. 


> CAN YOU IMAGINE what it takes to write an app that generates code for all 
> the platforms?? It's never been done satisfactorily before... until now. 
> Perhaps someday one of the team will write the story...when they have 
> time.

Doesn't Java do a satisfactory job of it? 

> Also remember that this application allows more access to more things on 
> your computer than the applications those companies allow you to get 
> access to. With that power, there are certainly more things to go wrong. 
> Multiply that by the number of platforms... you get the idea..

Doesn't Java do a satisfactory job of it?
Can you cite some examples, please? 

> Rev is an app that makes it a lot easier to write code, but you still 
> gotta work for it - programming is still something done by folks that are 
> a little more than just users....so some thinking and reasoning is 
> required. 
> 
> So I'd advise patience, my friend. You've got a great support group right 
> here - something we didn't have for Hypercard in 1987. Before you start 
> spewing, ask a couple of questions first....

Or just lower your expectations--low expectations = few disappointments. 

> 
> sqb 
> 
>>  > > We have also updated the distribution builder fix, to account
>>  >
>>>  You provide ZERO documentation on what we're supposed to do with these
>>> things. Revlibrary just starts up and begins displaying errors. I 
>>> assumed
>> > you're supposed to launch them and they will auto install code 
>> somewhere.
>>> 

As often happens in the real world, the "engineer" expects the "user" to be 
able to do what is needed without instructions, because, "it's obvious". 


miscdas



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