Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!Little.Fleas@hi-multics From: Little.Fleas%hi-multics@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: JRT pascal complaints Message-ID: <3428@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Mon, 25-Jul-83 12:58:00 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.3428 Posted: Mon Jul 25 12:58:00 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 26-Jul-83 23:52:28 EDT Lines: 33 From: Gary Little{Ref. transaction 003} To borrow a phrase from a certain Chinese scholar: "The sweetness of a cheap price is offset by the bitterness of poor quality". In essence, you get what you pay for. I have seen a few reveiws that do not applaud JRT, but they do at least say you could do worse, and practically every magazine that I have seen during the last 9 months has letters complaining about JRT's tardiness in delivery. In JRT's defence, they are probably swamped with orders; however, before depositing the $29.95 ($39.95??) it would be gentlemanly of them to send a warning of delay (and to publish said delay in their advertisements). As to the question: "Is any software worth this delay?" Well, if it does the job of the $400 to $40,000 packages, then I would say it probably was (which makes you wonder about the worth of the high priced spread). If it only does a $40 job, then I would say it was still worth it -- after all, it does meet the specification of $39.95 (+ .05). But to wonder if it is "worth it" because one does not haves his new toy to play with in his hot little hands, is a little sanctimonious [Poor choice of words?? Any way it sounds nice.]. Especially if said complainer has been involved with the delivery of software systems him/her/it/self. Maybe the situation is improving (although I doubt it), but a very large percentage of deliverable software costing in excess of $1,000 and more get slipped from 1 to 6 to more months before WE deliver the product. Is the $40 JRT compiler worth the delay? I don't know. Is our super spiffy light speed F-98 simulation trainer (or STS Columbia flight control system) worth the 13 month delay? I certainly hope so. Gary