Board index » delphi » Re: The alternative Delphi roadmap to success

2006-10-13 08:05:45 AM
delphi143
"Rick Carter" <XXXX@XXXXX.COM>writes
single one, one that I believe to be "objective reality", albeit I see that
one as though through a glass darkly, only through the doors of perception.
I can see others much more clearly, but I am under the impression that their
probably lack of objective reality implies that they are not relevant to
anyone but myself.
 

"Clinton R. Johnson" <XXXX@XXXXX.COM>writes
before running off and doing things. My lack of knowledge of advanced
physics would probably cause endless mischief.
 

to acknowledge that the roadmap needs to be redone, anyway ;)
completely different sources all point to the same direction.
I'm very well aware that for some of the features in my roadmap
would maybe need to dropped or replaced when more detailed
numbers are available - but well, the areas where the data gathered
is less accurate, Borland/DTG easily could get them quickly by
doing an unbiased poll (including all options) for all Delphi
customers.
but maybe I was not:
In my proposal for Delphi 2008, this is listed:
- If there still is market demand for Delphi.NET, and you have
generated enough revenue with Delphi 2007 to be able to
afford it, start working on advanced .NET 3.0 features. If not,
feature freeze for .NET.
As soon as Borland/DTG would see a .NET-based business model
again that is more than "high risk / low gain", they should invest into
it again. It very well may be the future path for many Delphi
developers. But chances to be successful will dramatically increase
if they now put in a round of "secure revenue" product release,
enabling them to start as a spin-off company that is on the rise again.
Far more attractive to investors, and will make sure whoever the
investor is he doesn't dump DevCo quickly or installs another
Inprise-like CEO when they notice that the company they bought
doesn't have a working business plan.
the speed they currently are planning to move forward with .NET
according to their roadmap. This is a big IF FALSE;
customers the feeling that DevCo understands their needs.
See, while we also get told "Yes, we are listening", I as a customer
don't have the feeling that helps.
Native code features are not just features. They also are a sign of
"We know what your business needs are and follow them".
And the other topics on the roadmap will address all the concerns
of 80-90% of their todays customers. Including those who have
been complaining about the embarassing help system for 4 years
now, for example.
I think this combination, the feeling of "aaaah, wow, they finally
got that right" will get a lot of people to upgrade.
change it anymore. There are a lot of other reasons why Borland has
lost customers and market share during the last years. But my intention
is to speak about what they can do to stop this downfall now.
Simon
 

Rick,
I also stumbled upon this on was thinking if I should correct it.
I'll probably at least change the text on the article website tomorrow
morning. It really should read "many".
Btw, meanwhile a very VERY big third-party component vendor
also has announced sending me figures that indicate an extremely high
number of active Delphi 5/6/7 users that haven't upgraded yet.
Simon
 

Bob Dawson writes:
32 bit one that was poor. In .NET we've had 1 product that didnt even
qualify as a product, followed by another half baked piece of garbage.
Followed by yet another usable yet sub par version which requries SP's
to finally reach "ok". And - even that version is now 2 years beyond
Micorosoft, and then some in terms of completeness.
--
"Programming is an art form that fights back"
www.KudzuWorld.com/
Need a professional technical speaker at your event? See www.woo-hoo.net
 

Let me explain what has been in the roadmap previously, but apparently
isn't being followed through on -- QA and customer support.
The documentation/help for this version is lacking. Badly. There is no
question of this. And it could be fixed, as a separate and distinct
issue from upgrading the compiler/IDE or adding new features.
But this doesn't happen, despite the past several years of
representations that Borland recognizes the 'lack' in documentation, etc.
Until Borland actually PRODUCES what is promises, people will be taking
a wait-and-see attitude. That could have been fixed, because the LAST
release there were also sorts of promises of improved customer support
and QA -- but the evidence isn't there that this is a funded priority
for Borland.
Erego, promises and roadmaps just won't cut it anymore...
David Erbas-White
Nick Hodges (Borland/DTG) writes:

David Erbas-White writes:
--
Nick Hodges
Delphi/C# Product Manager - Borland DTG
blogs.borland.com/nickhodges
 

Kyle A. Miller writes:
has to offer.
But there are still legions developing on old Win32 versions, some of them
still on Delphi 2 or 3, for that matter. Show them what's new in D2006,
and some will say, "Well, that is nice, but I am not sure it is worth the
price of an upgrade to me."
That's why I think Simon is greatly exaggerating in his original post
when he says:
"My alternative plan comes with a nice bonus, too: As we
know there is a huge chunk of customers that haven't upgraded at all
during the last 4 years. We know that 100% of those customers are
doing 100% native code only, because Delphi5/6/7 don't support .NET.
You'll get revenue from all of them."
All of them? I can not imagine one new feature, or set of features, that
would convince ALL "pre-BDS" Delphi developers to put their money on the
table.
Rick Carter
XXXX@XXXXX.COM
Chair, Delphi/Paradox SIG, Cincinnati PC Users Group
--- posted by geoForum on delphi.newswhat.com
 

(fully) agree with the alternative roadmap - at least you are the proof
that this group exists and my figures on that are valid ;)
But I guess even if it conflicts with your personal interests you will agree
that if you are part of a minority, it is in Borland's interest to focus a
bit
on the majority again for a change, right?
Simon
 

"Nick Hodges (Borland/DTG)" wrote
bobD
 

doing as ordered by the ones who pay their bills. The next Delphi
version released needs to contain this proof in many areas where people
no longer are trusting in that Borland will deliver what they have been
"looking into" and "investigating" and "hearing" during the last years.
Obviously a new roadmap won't help if you don't implement it, so it
needs to be realistic. For the suggestion I wrote I therefore tried not
to put a higher work load onto the next two releases than what was
planned in Borland's roadmap. I think with the resources Borland has
at hand right now, this roadmap could be doable without signifcant
delays in the usual release schedule.
Simon
 

"Dean Hill" wrote
in the DTG doesn't know that.
bobD
 

"Tom" wrote
Subtle distinction I suppose ...
bobD
 

Simon Kissel writes:
Delphi.NET. I really enjoy it. Unfortunately, many see .NET as MS-VCL,
which is an affront to the VCL. .NET is too Microsoft. The same holds
true for the IDE. The BDS IDE is too much like a Microsoft IDE,
therefore, evil. "I'll support your OS because it is most prevalent, and
I need to earn a living, but our relationship must stay at an arm's
length apart." :-(
If I had an interest in being in the majority, I'd have never used
Delphi.
 

"Kyle A. Miller" <kyle#XXXX@XXXXX.COM>writes
However, it is a good excuse for my favourite quote from 'The Life of Brian':
BRIAN:
Look. You've got it all wrong. You don't need to follow me. You don't need
to follow anybody! You've got to think for yourselves. You're all
individuals!
FOLLOWERS:
Yes, we're all individuals!
BRIAN:
You're all different!
FOLLOWERS:
Yes, we are all different!
DENNIS:
I'm not.