Date   : Tue, 06 Mar 1984 16:07:00 PST
From   : MMOON.ES@PARC-MAXC.ARPA
Subject: Re: Bugs & related flames

Borland's got some surprising company with their product description
problem.  Read on.

Flame #1:

I have been trying to get information on what CCP/M is and is not, what
it takes to port the same, & what a couple of particular ports are and
do.  DRI has not, after no fewer than four requests, responded with so
much as advertising copy, let alone literature useful to an integrator.
I can't buy their manuals anymore, so how am I supposed to evaluate the
product's usefulness to me?  Other vendors supply reasonable product
information (sometimes gratis), what's the lever that works on DRI?

Flame #2:

Octagon Systems advertises what appears to be the most viable
alternative to bank-breaking investments in Compupro equipment since the
invention of the dual processor.  Wonderful published specs.  Can I get
a demo from Priority One, who offers Ocatgon stuff?  "Nope, no demo
system available."  Can I buy the manual advertised in their catalog.
"Nope, all out."  Can I get definitive literature from Octagon (i. e., a
written commitment on what their system is/is not, etc., or failing
that, at least a complete description of capabilities).  "Yes, sir.
We'll send it out today."  That was three weeks ago & it ain't here yet,
after the second request.  I have had good dealings with Priority One,
and must assume they're in the same fix.  I conclude (sic) that either
Octagon products are mythical as the unicorn, the best thing since
sliced bread & therefore sell faster than made, or so full of bugs
they're not really in production, despite the glossy advertising.
Anybody on this net know these guys?

Last Flame:

We have all heard Good Things about Gifford & their software for
Compupro stuff.  I tried calling the L. A. Gifford number for literature
on their software & got lots of soft sell, a long converstion on "my
needs", and no literature.  What have they really done to/for MP/M-86
(if I could find out what it is in the first place)?  What is the party
line on what is required to run their port of the same?  What are the
options?  My advice, if you live in L. A., is don't ask unless you have
lotsa dollars to find out.

If their is a common thread in any of the above, it is that many
companies out there on the edge look flaky.  Octagon, Giiford, & DRI may
all have cases of oversupply-of-demand, but all at once, and for four
(count 'em) months?  They may indeed have competent products produced by
good people, but from the point of view of a little-guy end user, who
could tell?  Anybody out there got a fomula  magic or otherwise  for
making the determination?  I have to live with expensive decisions on
these guys for a long time.

               MMoon.es@parc-maxc.apra