What we expect from Microport

[Robert C. White]

Messages from Microport continue to dismiss complaints about repeatable
software bugs and problems with (apparently) forever-slipping ship dates
(and bug fix ship dates) as flames.  We want *fixes* to the software 
problems - source programs, uuencoded binaries, floppies in the mail...
whatever it takes, in a timely manner with realistic promises and met (or
nearly met) ship dates.  (Incidentally, a ship date isn't just when one starts
shipping a product, it's when I get my copy and when everyone else gets theirs.)
(Microport could and should be doing a lot more with the usenet. By comparison,
look at the excellent work done in comp.sys.amiga by the Commodore people.) 

While my BBS is still being crashed (intentionally or inadvertently) by
the 2.2 serial port bugs, I haven't received my 2.3 release 'though it's
been promised since September of '86 and I've paid for support (I noticed
the VISA went through real fast - no problems in that area).  I have a tape
drive that is worthless because the driver (delivery dates promised and
missed since September, others say since long before then) isn't out yet.  

As for comp.unix.microport being moderated, I do think a good moderator
can make for very improved readability (high content, low flaming and
noise.  I regard comp.risks as a standard in this regard).  I'm not going
to go into a long discussion of the pros and cons here.  Suffice to say
that I think it's a little strange for it to be moderated as moderation 
usually comes after a group gets too busy to be useful.  I think the group
can be successful as long as it's editorial content is not under Microport's
control.  (...as it is, by the way, on their BBS.  I prefer the open format,
convenience, breadth and depth of users and lower cost of usenet anyway.)

On the up side, we're all here and we've got the software.  Remember, it
costs half as much as the alternatives.  I am still very hopeful that 2.3
will solve my serial port problems, that DOSmerge will be the unlimited 
liscense version this time and that the tape driver will arrive soon and work.
Happy New Year!  -karl
-- 
..!uunet!nuchat!sugar!karl, Unix BBS (713) 933-2440