From:	MC23 mc23@**********.com
Subject:	Fwd: Software Upgrades
Date:	Tue, 2 Feb 99 16:40:35 -0500

> 1.0:
> Also known as "one point uh-oh", or "barely out of beta". We had
to
> release because the lab guys had reached a point of exhaustion and the
> marketing guys were in a cold sweat of terror. We're praying that you'll
> find it more functional than, say, a computer virus and that its
> operation has some resemblance to that specified in the marketing
> copy.
>
> 1.1:
> We fixed all the killer bugs ...
>
> 1.2:
> Uh, we introduced a few new bugs fixing the killer bugs and so we had to
> fix them, too.
>
> 2.0:
> We did the product we really wanted to do to begin with. Mind you, it's
> really not what the customer needs yet, but we're working on it.
>
> 2.1:
> Well, not surprisingly, we broke some things in making major changes so
> we had to fix them. But we did a really good job of testing this time, so
> we don't think we introduced any new bugs while we were fixing these
> bugs.
>
> 2.2:
> Uh, sorry, one slipped through. One lousy typo error and you won't
> believe how much trouble it caused!
>
> 2.3:
> Some jerk found a deep-seated bug that's been there since 1.0 and
> wouldn't stop nagging until we fixed it!!
>
> 3.0:
> Hey, we finally think we've got it right! Most of the customers are
> really happy with this.
>
> 3.1:
> Of course, we did break a few little things.
>
> 4.0:
> More features. It's doubled in size now, by the way, and you'll need
> to get more memory and a faster processor ...
>
> 4.1:
> Just one or two bugs this time... Honest!
>
> 5.0:
> We really need to go on to a new product, but we have an installed base
> out there to protect. We're cutting the staffing after this.
>
> 6.0:
> We had to fix a few things we broke in 5.0. Not very many, but it's been so
> long since we looked at this thing we might as well call it a major
> upgrade. Oh, yeah, we added a few flashy cosmetic features so we could
> justify the major upgrade number.
>
> 6.1:
> Since I'm leaving the company and I'm the last guy left in the lab who
> works on the product, I wanted to make sure that all the changes I've
> made are incorporated before I go. I added some cute demos, too, since
> I was getting pretty bored back here in my dark little corner (I kept
> complaining about the lighting but they wouldn't do anything). They're
> talking about obsolescence planning but they'll try to keep selling it
> for as long as there's a buck or two to be made. I'm leaving the bits
> in as good a shape as I can in case somebody has to tweak them, but
> it'll be sheer luck if no one loses them.

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History repeats itself.
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I am MC23