Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] ECS Support, custom interfaces (was [ECS] HVAC-INT Michael David Wed, 30 Sep 1998 22:51:40 -0400

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Hi Bill!

>Perhaps more important than the above, would be some view to ECS's future
>"roadmap".   Although Mark has frequently referred to his "list" of
functions
>to be provided and the relative priorities vs. various items being
discussed, I
>don't recall ever seeing this list.   It would seem to me that it would be
>helpful to us all to have some visability to the planned direction and to
have
>an opportunity to provide comments and/or other input.   If nothing else,
this
>would seem to provide Mark with valuable information concerning functions
that
>his customers view as desirable and would allow him to define an update
>strategy to optimize the delivery of additional value.   Lastly, such a
public
>"roadmap" should help us to avoid the situation where hard feelings result
due
>to  inaccurate assessments of the potential "demand" for future function.

I don't this it's realistic, under any circumstances, for Mark to map out
every step he plans for the future of ECS for several reasons:

1) Priorities change; what's important today may not be tomorrow.

2) He may intend to do something, but, for what ever reason, he can't.  This
will leave him open to "Hey, you said you would..."

3) No software developer wants to reveal new features they are planning, for
competitive reasons.  It would be like "insider information", allowing
another developer to "scoop" Mark's idea.

4) Mark is good about accepting comments or other input.  He then makes a
decision whether to implement the idea or not.  That decision is his only,
as it is _his_ business.  An annual service fee doesn't, and shouldn't,
change that dynamic.


Well, that's my opinion anyway.  :)


Cheers!

Michael David
michael@michaeldavid.com

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