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03-01-2008, 6:56 AM LivinginOrlando Joined on 03-01-2008 Posts 4 SoftVelocity's Critical Error Wake up call needed! If this is truly a community that participates, whose feedback is important, then I would expect validation for the thoughts expressed.  Otherwise, I think we deserve what we get - once again we have to fight to gain corporate adoption of a development platform that has nominal PR and brand awareness at best.  Sound familiar? If Clarion# isn't released to the public in the next couple of months the company will miss the boat (and true sales and critical mass potential).  To a great extent they have already missed a tremendous market opportunity.  There are dozens of companies working feaverishly to develop NET RAD products - companies exponentially better funded than Clarion, that are incorporating newer technologies.  At some point you have to stop and reassess.  It's about timing.  I want the company to succeed, I have many reasons for this, I love Clarion and was a Clarion for DOS v.1 license holder... I've brought many mid-level companies into the Clarion family over the years.  But, really, enough!  Lost opportunity cost is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.  I'm very concerned. Before I get flamed, it's my hope there is room for collective insight and feedback on these forums.  Market timing, market strategy, product pricing etc... have a lot to do with the success or failure of a product launch.  How a company reads and responds to what the market is asking for, and to the extent they have the resources to respond to these market needs is key and I now fear for my beloved SoftVelocity.  There is a window of time to secure and capture a loyal base of users to build upon - true innovation, well timed can add millions of users and this can fuel future R&D, (i.e. Apples iPhone etc...).   Softvelocity understands that existing users of Clarion will upgrade to releverage their prior learned skills, other 'non-programmers' will adopt, and those into RAD business apps for online deployment ultimately make up a majority of new generated sales.  Each of these segments have alternate options now to address their needs... once purchased and invested in (learning curve etc.. ) will have less reason to adopt Clarion# when it is released. Adam PS - If SoftVelocity desires, I would be more than happy to provide a detailed support of this position along with a roadmap that if followed, would represents a viable and effective marketing/PR strategy (through traditional, interactive, and viral methods).  Of course, this means very little if delays persist.  SoftVelocity... ARE YOU LISTENING?    Report

03-02-2008, 8:32 AM Russ Joined on 10-20-2005 Posts 223 Re: SoftVelocity's Critical Error I would suggest ordering the beta for Clarion# and start working with it. That way you can show whomever there is a viable alternative. Its in the hand code only stage at this point, but the Clarion# language seems stable enough. Then as a participant in the beta, you can then help get the product ready for full release sooner. A win-win situation all around, don't you think? Russ Eggen www.radfusion.com    Report

03-02-2008, 8:57 AM LivinginOrlando Joined on 03-01-2008 Posts 4 Re: SoftVelocity's Critical Error Russ, I operate on a different level, I'm looking for a fully functional product capable of banking on enterprise level development now.  My model is to hire Clarion programmers to develop mission criticle applications that drive my business and bottom line.  This said, I would love to support and reenforce Clarions efforts but this would best be accomplished through my core skills, marketing/PR (would be freely donated if asked).   I realize my post is critical but it was intentional in an effort to add perspective, insights, and feedback - that should IMHO be factored into SoftVelocities decisions.  My initial points remain. Adam    Report

03-05-2008, 6:48 AM Russ Joined on 10-20-2005 Posts 223 Re: SoftVelocity's Critical Error The fully functioning version won't be available for while longer. It won't stretch anyone's imagination or my credibility to state that SV is working flat out to get this product *really* ready. Unfortunately, the timing of these efforts don't appear to align with your current needs. My business model is nearly identical to yours and it may increase in the next few weeks. I'll be serving customers who range in size from small businesses to an NFL team and a major airline soon. Fortunately for me, I have Clarion 6 around to handle these issues. I've got a bid on a government contract that would be ideal for Clarion#. Again I'm fortunate in that those bids take a while to get. ;-) If I get that contract before Clarion# is fully released, no worries, I can use C6 to flesh out the design and use what is available now. In talking with various principal employees at Softvelocity, they want nothing more than to release these products, fully featured. But they wont' release anything before its really ready. The most recent build released yesterday is good evidence of this as there were a LOT of fixes. The release was about 2 weeks after the last build, so that is a good sign too. They usually do one a month. I would like to close by making a suggestion. Email SV about your skills. When they are ready to market, they may tap your services. The worst that can happen is they say "no thank you" <bg> Russ Eggen www.radfusion.com    Report

03-05-2008, 7:03 AM LivinginOrlando Joined on 03-01-2008 Posts 4 Re: SoftVelocity's Critical Error Russ, I appreciate the info exchange.  You clearly understand the pain points of this process.  It's the balance between the loyalty I feel versus lost opportunity costs associated wtih waiting (not migrating to competitive development tools).  This said, it's amazing how powerful good communication is to the masses - timely and relevent updates on company blogs, etc... But there is a glaring absence and disconnect here.  As an example, your post provided helpful information (more timely than ANY info on Softvelocities home page).  They really do need to add a qualified marketing and PR component - it would yeild exponential dividends.  Thanks for your post Russ. Adam    Report

03-05-2008, 6:48 PM Russ Joined on 10-20-2005 Posts 223 Re: SoftVelocity's Critical Error Let me add to this that I agree. SV should be communicating more, something even they acknowledge. The only thing that makes sense to me right now is they are so head down in getting these ready for us, the communication suffers. That kinda sucks for us short term. In the long term I think we benefit since they are so focused on getting this product ready. The Clarion community is quite demanding, sometimes to the point of unreasonablness. While most have the best intentions, it can be distracting as so many have demonstrated a need to dissect every little insignifcant word they publish. I call it analysis paralysis <g>. I'd rather we just take the short term pain in they get these new offerings out as fast as they can in the best shape they can. I see nothing that says they are not doing this. So that soothes my pain. ;-) I did some quick looks at the recent builds and they have done some nice work with them. If this pattern holds (faster builds with more fixes and new features), then I think we are in good shape. Its not easy building a new IDE and then teaching it all the Clarion stuff we come to expect. I only hope the wait is worth it and I'm optimistic it will be. In the meantime, I have to keep the revenue coming in, getting new clients to expand my client base, get more contractors busy and all with Clarion 6. I know the stuff I'm coding now is not possible with earlier versions, so the stability of C6 is affording me the wait time. But I do know that my days with C6 are numbered and I look forward to the day I uninstall it for real. C7 and Clarion# will be its replacements. Keep the faith! ;-) Russ Eggen www.radfusion.com    Report

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