Why won't MOTU do THIS??

[Resonant Alien]

So, I'm over at the Propellerheads site (www.propellerheads.se), checking out Reason 3.0, and I come across a news item - unashamedly posted right there on their home page that basically says: "We are sorry to report that we have confirmed some bugs and problems in Reason 3.0. Please click for full details".....it goes to a page that has a detailed list of the problems they have discovered and even offers links to work arounds for some, AND it is signed by the Product Manager for Reason!

And I'm thinking to myself, how F-in cool is THAT!!! How refreshing that a software company actually says "You know what, we're human, and we have some problems, we are working on it, and here is a list of the issues so that you guys (our customers) know we know and we care, and BTW, now you don't have to go searching for hours on the web trying to find obscure links to confirm whether your particular problem is really a bug or something with your setup".

MOTU has a flashy website, but I'll be damned if I can find a concise list of known problems ANYWHERE on the damn thing. The best you can do is go to tech notes and spend a couple of days purusing through to see if any topic matches with a problem you're having.

Maybe its there and I missed it - if so, someone please show me.

I know each new version of DP comes release notes that tell you what WAS fixed - what I want to know is what are the OUTSTANDING problems with a release!

Too much to ask???

[chrispick]

I dig what you're saying. MOTU PR philosophy often seems to be "There are no problems until we fix them."

I think it's become common PR culture for many companies to address a brush fire before it turns into a firestorm. Most customers just want to know that they're being heard -- and, beyond that, will await remedy with some patience.

MOTU seems to embrace the "we ain't sayin' nothin'" approach to these matters.

Same thing applies to their neo-vaporware marketing strategies (where are the Symphonic Instrument, M5 v2, and MX4 v2?)

I'll tell you: In print ads everywhere.

<small>[ April 14, 2005, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: chrispick ]</small>

[Labonza]

This is one of the "Reasons" that their customers love the product and Propellerheads.

I cant remember any other music software company ever doing something like that. Anyone else?

Logic sure didnt do it for 7's numerous problems,did they? NI? (Hahahaha)No use picking on MOTU for doing the exact same thing everyone else does, or doesnt.

But something like this sure would make one disposed to think that Propellerheads is a company you can trust with your software $$$, that's for sure. This is an excellent example for the rest of the industry to follow.

Two thumbs up .

[aaronlyon]

Of course, many open source software projects list known bugs. It's just proprietary commercial software companies that feel they need to hide their flaws. But for working audio engineers, being aware of the bugs is extremely valuable. Hopefully we do a good enough job on this board to reveal the land mines.

-aaron

[homebilly]

maybe reason 3.0 was so whack that they had no choice....?

i don't ever remember DP or P for that matter being so bug riddled that it was unusable.

reason 3 is just a POS

sorry. get it off of my mac. back to 2.5.

[Timeline]

i don't ever remember DP or P for that matter being so bug riddled that it was unusable. reason 3 is just a POS
sorry. get it off of my mac. back to 2.5.

Is that why Guitar Center was blowing it out?

[bfh]

"You know what, we're human, and we have some problems, we are working on it, and here is a list of the issues so that you guys (our customers) know we know and we care, and BTW, now you don't have to go searching for hours on the web trying to find obscure links to confirm whether your particular problem is really a bug or something with your setup".

Are you sure that they really care, and are those bugs they have listed really software-related?
I think that they only randomly have put some things out to make you think that "wow they are nice and cool", but I don't believe a word of it before they really have all those "bugs" fixed.

[toodamnhip]

Interesting post and great food for thought Mr ALien...lol...

I whole-heartedly agree that MOTU should post known issues. Have you sent them your opening statement in an email? I think you should and also, you should advise them to watch this thread to see the responses...HEY MOTU>>>I AGREE!..lol

Also, I am damn glad I haven't installed REASON 3 yet..it is in the box still...Sometimes this site is a god-send....

Dave

[dixiechicken]

Thats a very good idea indeed and the decent thing to do.
As Aaron Lyon pointed out most "open source" projects do.
(like mozilla.org as one example)

There's no guarantee of course that such a list can completely
accurate and up to date.
However listing the bugs you actually know about, would be
both courteus and helpful.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[midilance]

Actually, I've been using Reason 3.0 in rewire mode with DP and it's working great! I am enjoying the new factory refill. Better drums, basses, keyboards. I realize there are issues but I have not had occasion to run into them yet. I would not hold off on installing it. There is plenty that works properly right now.

[jandron]

I would second that about Reason 3.0. The pluses outweigh the minuses IMHO. It's a little stogier than the previous version, takes longer to load, etc. But in normal operation it seems to work fine and the new combinator patches are great!