For me, it is not neccessarily the missed timelines that are frustrating. It is the lack of communication. A timeline will be announced and the announced released date passes, there is no product and no communication from GT.
Then a year later, the product will be released, again with no communication as to why the extra time was needed to get it "right" instead of on time.
I would appreciate more information like the Nov 15th post from the GT Development Team.
I can understand the reasoning for not providing timelines and expected release dates. On the other hand, I don't understand why GT would not want to provide progress reports. Something posted in the announcements forum like:
Links 3.0 (SQL) - Developing features lists, logic and design concepts.
GForum 3.0 - Writing perl code libraries
GMail 3.0 - Close to a (mostly) functional alpha version. Features G, N W have been dropped due to time/budget/technical constraint/lack of demand.
GList 3.0 - Completed internal beta testing, fixing bugs in preparation for non-GT beta testing. New features X,Y and Z have been added.
DBMan SQL 3.0 - Finished initial non-GT beta testing. Preparing for public beta release. If beta goes successfully, this will become the first official release of DBMan 3.0.
This would provide useful information without attempting to predict future timelines.
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Rob
SW Montana's Online Community
Modular Model Railroading