- we all know how the "free software" community handles
bugs, esp. in the realm of security: they often fix 'em within
hours of being reported
- what obligations to commercial software writers have towards
their clientele to fix bugs? and should this be done for free?
- in my own contracting experience, I've felt I couldn't
deliver anything less than a 100% solution to my client;
to do less to me was a personal failure <sigh> and probably
an abrigation of my legal responsibility to deliver on the
contract
- it seems that contractors and outsourcers are much more responsible
(and liable) for fixing bugs than large software houses such
as MS and the like. Why is this? Is this an issue for the
ACCC or similar body to patrol? e.g. I paid $280.00 for MS Office
and it keeps corrupting my documents. MS reports "wait and
buy the next the version." Why should I? [this also contradicts their
CEO's own views ... see below]
- for an enlightening view on how Microsoft ignores bugs,
read it "from the horse's mouth" at the following URL:
<http://mercury.chem.pitt.edu/~angel/LinuxFocus/English/January1998/horse.html>
Regards
Rick Welykochy
Dot Communications Ltd