Upgrade Policy?

[J. De Salvo]

Fellow Yellow-Dog Enthusiasts:

As I long time lurker to this list and as a Linux user (x86 and PPC), I'm  
struggling to come to terms with the YellowDog Linux policy of upgrades,  
and would like to hear your opinions.

As with many of you, I enjoy using and supporting YDL. I have, beginning  
with 2.3, bought Geek editions of YDL. Moreover, because I wanted to  
support YDL, I purchase d hardware--hard drive and mouse--from YDL, though  
I might have found these same products for less money elsewhere.

As with many of you, I eagerly awaited YDL 4.0 and sent in my payment for  
the Geek Edition as soon as YDL 4.0 became available.

However, I am growing weary of YDL's policy of releasing upgrades first to  
those who have enhanced YDL accounts.

If a problem exists with software--as it does with YDL 4.0 (sound, install  
software, xmms segfaults)--then why must all users wait a certain period  
of time to apply the fixes once the fixes are available?

I understand that an initial release of software can have its bugs, but  
many Linux distributions offer bug fixes to all when those fixes become  
available. For example, SUSE Linux, Gentoo Linux offer fixes, and fixes  
and improvements, respectively, to all users as soon as these fixes are  
ready for public consumption. Why doesn't YDL?

Apple Computer also follows a similar policy. Those of us running Panther  
know that Apple has already released 8 updates to Panther, free of charge  
and without strings attached. Why isn't YDL doing the same? (I for one  
might be willing to pay more upfront for a release if I knew that all  
fixes would be free and available when ready.)

I appreciate the limited niche that YDL has. And I appreciate that the  
folks at YDL need to make a living. However, I'm struggling with the  
policy: we have bug fixes, but we won't release them to everyone until  
after a period of time has elapsed. (If I provide a service/product to  
someone and that product/service proves faulty--based on users'  
experience--then how can I in good conscience ask those same individuals  
to wait for a fix until an arbitrary period of time elapses?)

Does this policy trouble anyone? Or is this just sour grapes on my part? I  
am sincerely trying to understand the policy and looking for a way to  
continue to support YDL.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe



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