Wisdom on Beta Release

DominicM said:

I am beginning to see a lot of "Hopefully before the 4.0 release, if not then probably as 4.0a or something" type answers which implies a release date for v4 exists in house and has been set in stone..

I think the software is developing nicely and in the right direction, but I for one would rather you spent an extra month or so getting the software to a point where a "quick fix" post release isnt rushed out to fix those beta test gremlins..

Yes I am eager for v4, but dont want you to rush an unfinished and therefore unworthy product out there which could potentially damage your reputation.

I relate very much to your sentiment but I think whatever happens this needs to be out the door before or at the time of Zondervan products being released.  It wouldn't be good to give them L3 for a month or two and then switch them over to L4 which is totally diferent.  L4 might even be a slightly better fit for those coming from Pradis in terms of general look of the applicaton but with the bonus of all the extra features that you simply don't get in Pradis.

 Now whether there is an even earlier date than this Logos has in concrete... I don't want to speculate too much on that ...4.0 will arrive when it arrives... hey its already arrived for us privelleged beta testers....

Joe Miller said:

 It will also pay for the Mac development since the Mac sales helped pay for the 4.0 development.

I'm not even sure whether the Mac sales would have paid for the initial Mac development..... 

Joe Miller said:

So unless you are looking to invest a few hundred thousand into books in the next week or two, I think Logos' strategy is what you will have to live with.

I'm also sure that we'll have to live with the release schedule that has already been set. My guess is that the publicity materials are already at the publishers from the way Bob's been talking. Does that mean that I'd recommend that anyone purchase 4.0? No. I'd recommend that they wait 6 months until some of the issues have been resolved. Luckily no one ever asks my opinion about bible software

On a side note: I've been involved in a couple of Beta testing programs (not as many as a number who are involved here). I can't remember any which had a set date for release at the start of Beta testing. How can a software company know how long it will take to identify and resolve the bugs that are discovered during this process? 

Joe Miller said:

you have already made up your mind that the release will not meet your standards based on a beta 3

Am I that obvious?

Actually, I'm basing my decision (to date) on the responses that have been received on this forum to the very real concerns which I and others have raised about issues such as downloads, indexing, and the inability to delete resources. These would have to be addressed before I could recommend the program to others. I know that these will eventually be addressed - but, from what has been said to date by Bob and various Logos employees, they will not be addressed until after the release of 4.0. 

As for me, I quite like Logos 4.0 and have only used Logos 3 on about 3 occasions in the last few weeks. On issues related to the responsiveness of the program, another issue of concern for me given the specs of my two computers, I am very happy to wait and see what level of optimisation occurs. And I am confident that all the other issues which I have raised will be addressed one way or another. 

Damian McGrath said:

real concerns which I and others have raised about issues such as downloads, indexing, and the inability to delete resources.

Joe Miller said:

 Can you tell me what your specific concern is, why the Logos response is a "no recommend", and what would satisfy your concern?

Joe,

I want explicit control over downloads - much like in v3 - to be notified about which resources are available and to be able to chose to download them or not. 

I want control over when indexing occurs. I do not want a complete index rebuilt with every minor change. If I shut down indexing because I need to use my computer for something else, I do not want it to start up again without my permission.

I would like to banish forever some files from my hard drive, eg. Middle Liddel, abbreviated TDNT.... I would like the option of a smaller library for my netbook. Things are already pretty crowded there.

On all of these issues the response has been very cautious. Something may happen with indexing before 4.0 release. With downloads it seems to be all or nothing. No one knows what hiding resources means but it is clear that we will not have the option of two different installs if we have two different types of computers and different needs for them.

Joe Miller said:

That makes sense. I know some respones have been given, but admit they are a bit muddy at times. I am confident a more clear policy will be given as the beta progresses, but your questions are fair indeed.

Thanks Joe. I actually have little doubt that all of these will eventually become a reality. When they do, I would quite confidently recommend Logos 4. Until that time, any recommendation would be very considered.

Joe Miller said:

I did suggest a while ago that there be a "brief case" type option that would give the end user the ability to set controls for what will go to a designated laptop for on the road.  I think the controls should work from the settings and then update the "cloud".  This way, I could set my info to be synched from the desktop or laptop and the cloud could still manage the downloads, etc..  That, IMHO, seems a decent compromise, but we shall see what happens.  

I remember your suggestion and at the time said that I wanted everything with me. That is now not the case. Resources and the index take up too much space on my netbook.

I also wrote a post about iTunes 9.0. This update allows synchronisation across home networks. It's fantastic. Finally, I've been able to easily shift my music back and forward. The use of the home network means that no manual transfer of files (through USB or cables) is necessary nor do I need to download anything. I have been able to set it up to automatically download any new music purchases to both computers.