[missing-sync-pocketpc-talk] Release of missing-sync-pocketpc

[Michael Williams]

I too work with software developers and appreciate how much time and  
effort goes into major projects such as these. Customers always want  
the new product 'now' and it's a tough job being in the hot-seat...  
not one I envy. The difference here is that for those of us who have  
upgraded to Tiger are not waiting for a 'new and improved' version,  
we are, instead, without any means of syncing our devices... dead in  
the water. If our developers did that with our mission critical  
applications, we'd have a lynch-mob at our door (which is probably  
how we sound to Eric right now).

I'm sorry that Mark/Space were blind-sided by the release of Tiger,  
and I'm sorry that I didn't consider this before upgrading my OS....  
but they were and I did, so here we are. I also think it's ridiculous  
to suggest that the situation is any less objectionable by offering  
that the competing product is awful - I'm certain it is, but it  
doesn't change the fact that I cannot sync my device. Mark/Space are  
lucky that it does suck and I'm convinced they take comfort in the fact.

What worries me more than the current situation, however, is that  
when the updated version ships, we will have several rounds (over the  
next few months) of incremental adjustments to iron out the bugs. No  
matter how hard the developers work on spotting these, they always  
crop up. And then what happens when Apple releases yet another system  
upgrade (Mac OS 10.5 'Mountain Lion' hmm)? Mark/Space have already  
demonstrated that they aren't in a position to work with the pre- 
release versions to coordinate product launches. Maybe we'll get  
lucky and it will only mean 1 month of incompatibility?

I really, REALLY hope that the new software is released in the next  
week or so, and I hope that it is rock-solid-stable. I hope that a  
week later all of this is forgotten and everyone is ecstatically  
happy. As for me, I'm about 80% decided to put my Pocket PC on eBay.  
Sure, I'll take a hit, but I guess I've easily spent that in terms of  
wasted time.

Good luck Eric, I hope you report positive news soon... then you'll  
need a very long vacation!

Mike