*Ping* Dave - RAM Controls

[mytymaus007]

  Dave your the man Ill be waiting for your next post!!! and of course the completion date 

[Xiaou2]

(A) It's REPRO, genius.  You know... as in REPRODUCTION... not REPOSSESSION.

 You think a Repo is easy then?  Do you even know how much money it takes
for a small run of repo's of lesser complexity assemblies?  Its also not as simple as
making 2 phone calls and assembling parts.  Obviously, if you had an ounce of brain
tissue, you would realize your rants only make you look more and more
like the brown clown you really are.

(B) Did you donate to the high speed internet for Ken drive?   Not sure if you did... I didn't pay attention to who did and who didn't.

 Dont know Ken.  Nor would I EVER send money to a clown like you. Who knows
how much money you are pocketing on the side from your venture.  I surely
wouldnt put it past you.   Id trust David with my money any day of the
week over you.

 I have a hard enough time keeping my own internet on, let alone supporting anothers.

 However, I have and do occasionally make donations to the Mame PCB fund. 
To me, its a much more worthy use of my hard earned cash.

 If you feel otherwise, thats your prerogative.
 

(C) If creating stuff for the community is all that is necessary for a persons rep to be elevated to you,  I bet you must really admire Christian at SlikStick, huh? 

 David has not Scrooged anyone out of any money...  unlike Christian.

David Foley must be be high on your list too, eh?

 David Foley is just as much a Tool as you.  But at least he had  'some'  value come
out of him..

  I guess honestly and integrity are meaningless to you?  Oh wait... I suppose "free ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---" also adds points in your book?  I see...I see...

 Actually, I live by Honesty & Integrity, and value them above all else.  Davids not
wronged anyone.  He merely has Disappointed people.  He is not, nor will ever be
the last person to disappoint someone due to delays.  I can list pages and pages
worth of promised release dates from countless companies.  I can also post
pages and pages of promised products which never made it to sale point.

 As David said, he is probably the Only person in this world who cares enough to
make a QUALITY reproduction Yoke.   

 To be honest, I have no idea if and how he will
make any money on the thing.  Arcade parts of this complexity and quality, were
made in unreal quantities, and single or double runs... to keep cost at low.  To do
a fraction of the original runs, will be Very expensive. (unless he is getting some
extremely good  'low-run'  deals somehow)

 Anyone else even trying to make a yoke, has made absolute crap which does
not compare in any way or form to the original.  No doubt, poor/less control, and
poor last-ability. (among other glaring problems)

(D) Still waiting for proof positive on those DEATH TRAINS you were so worried about... well?

 Still waiting for a Good explanation of 600 new (commissioned when bush took office)
"open field 'detention centers" with razor wire fencing, able to hold well over
20,000 each, almost all located off rail lines,  ...and they are now "manned".

 Maybe its for expedited eradication of virus laden humans?

 Maybe they are for making Arcade Repos?

 Worst of the personal drek removed by saint

[FrizzleFried]

Ya know something... I had a whole lot of stuff I typed out in response to the nutcase above,  but why bother.  Nuts is nuts.

You think a Repo is easy then?  Do you even know how much money it takes
for a small run of repo's of lesser complexity assemblies?

My only question is: Is your "R" button broken or are you just that dense?  It's REPRO...not REPO...

 Worst of the personal drek removed by saint

As for the rest of this crap... I'm done with it.  Good luck Dave... sorry to piss on your parade.  I'll not comment on the yoke any more.

[ChadTower]

I am losing faith now that there are multiple preordered products that are past stated delivery dates.  Can't lie about that.

[Deadly]

I am losing faith now that there are multiple preordered products that are past stated delivery dates.  Can't lie about that.

I've been talking with Dave for ~2 years now. I agree and yes ..... David also agrees that he made a mistake. He acknowledges his publicly. Taking pre-orders again ... well let's think about this for a moment. He is right at the finish line on these. Why wouldn't he open the order lines? If it were my business you can bet your ass I'd be doing the same thing. Do you guys think he has a whole assembly line to mass produce? You take pre-orders in order to dedicate your time where it needs to be. This has to be done and is exactly what he's doing.
Do you think this is the only project he has going on? How many other people are willing to take this ---Censored by saint--- on? Yes, I am a David "fanboi". He is generous and is doing this community a HUGE ---Censored by saint--- favor and what does he ask for in return? Feedback for giving away free product. Jeezus David how DARE you ASK for so little?
These threads sicken me. It is unfair and unjust to treat David like this. Why don;t we all start dog piling on people like:
 Widel (because he can't keep up with the demand)
Spaeth (Because he can't keep up on the demand)

Oh yes let's bit the hand that feeds us. GREAT IDEA!

And lastly - some of you busting Davids balls when you don't even have a Star Wars to put the freaking yoke onto.

FFS - back the F off and let the man breathe. It's  ---Censored by saint--- like this that makes these people dissapear.
"Do you think David doesn;t have a family of his own to tend to?"

Frizz - you're a better person than this ... seriously knock it off.

[ChadTower]

I've been talking with Dave for ~2 years now. I agree and yes ..... David also agrees that he made a mistake. He acknowledges his publicly. Taking pre-orders again ... well let's think about this for a moment. He is right at the finish line on these. Why wouldn't he open the order lines?

I'm talking about the Major Havoc control panels for which he accepted preorders, gave a stated delivery date, and did not deliver them.  This year.

[Namco]

I've been optimistically watching the progress of this project for longer than I can remember. We all want to see this part in production and we all have fond memories of this yoke years ago playing Star Wars/ESB/Stun Runner/etc. I honestly feel really happy every time I hear that the product is 99% ready to ship, and I honestly feel down and crappy every time I see another delay. This has happened numerous times and I really feel resentment about it now.

It's also amazing how Frizz has gone from nay-saying lunatic to conscientious objector to heroic whistleblower (no offense Frizz:D )

I'm at the point now where I don't care either way if this ever gets produced, produced by Christmas, or melted down to make redemption game parts. I probably was never going to buy one anyway but I just wish that Dave would stop toying with our emotions like this. I don't need to be reminded that Dave is "the only guy on the planet who'll EVER make these yoke controllers available". Yeah, thanks, thanks for that, really Dave. Like we all need more reminders of how our favorite hobby is dead. Just remember most of us are on this forum trying to recapture those fond memories that are exploited here.

personal dig removed by saint

[mytymaus007]

Go Dave

[saint]

Meh. They'll get here when they get here. No one's been refused a refund who pre-ordered. People cussing Dave out are just shooting the industry in the foot, if not themselves.

[fatfingers]

Meh. They'll get here when they get here. No one's been refused a refund who pre-ordered. People cussing Dave out are just shooting the industry in the foot, if not themselves.

 

[Daviea]

Guys, guys....

I underestimated (more than once) the complexity of the Star Wars yoke reproduction project.  On the surface, it looked pretty cut and dry, but there were some fabrication processes I was completely unfamiliar with.  Obviously, that in itself added delays.  Other delays were caused by the necessity to ensure that this was a dead-on reproduction.  Further delays were caused by the necessity for a QUALITY product.  These delays were simply unavoidable.  Yes, I'm horrible at estimating release dates, apparently.  While I can imagine peoples feelings being twisted over this, I think some of you might be taking this a little too seriously.  After all, this is a HOBBY for us and nothing I've said or done has been out of malice or ill intent.  Hey, I want this to be fun for all of us!  If I've somehow inadvertently ruined the fun for some of you, please accept my apologies.

Just imagine.....if I had taken the quick way out and cut corners, this thread would be a dave-bashing pile-on about poor quality.  And there would be no defense in that situation.  I'd much rather push the date back...and back again... if it means a quality product.  Some of you act like pushing release dates back is something completely unheard of and isolated to me alone.  What I'm making isn't vaporware or some elaborate hoax, it's a quality reproduction part.  Quality takes time and money, both of which I have invested heavily.  And I would be willing to bet that deep down, you all want QUALITY.  Good, that's what I like to hear!

You can read the Star Wars Yoke SAGA on my BLOG which pretty much details every single hiccup I've encountered during the life of this reproduction project.  This process is not as simple as it may appear to someone on the outside.  I won't bother trying to explain it -- if you can't see this from the BLOG alone, then there's nothing I could ever say that will make you understand.  I'm in this because *I* love the hobby and want to extend it's life as much as possible.  The fact remains that I am the only one who will make this a reality for us to enjoy.....and that's the harsh truth, like it or lump it.

So, in the end, as sorry as I am about this, the project delays are just a fact of life which must be dealt with.  How people decide to deal with these delays has shown me, among other things, the character and integrity of certain people among our community.  I'm glad to say that my observations in this regard have been mostly promising.

Again, stay tuned for an official posting about the final release of the Star Wars reproduction yoke.

Dave

[saint]

Trimmed to here arbitrarily as the easiest way to restore this thread, don't take it personally if your comment got whacked. If it was important please repost.

But please, for the love of ... well... me, would some of you please read the rules on how to treat one another even if you disagree?

[Aceldamor]

Trimmed to here arbitrarily as the easiest way to restore this thread, don't take it personally if your comment got whacked. If it was important please repost.

But please, for the love of ... well... me, would some of you please read the rules on how to treat one another even if you disagree?

I didn't think my post was that bad actually....

[TheShanMan]

Dave's problem is he enjoys this so much that he can't help but talk about it and take some joy in the excitement it generates even in the early stages of the product. Other vendors like to keep projects close to the vest until released. Perhaps the latter approach is better, but I can't blame him for taking the former.

I've gone on record several times saying "bravo" to Dave for all he's done and is doing and I'll do it again. I agree wholeheartedly with saint's comments about shooting in the foot. I consider Friz to be a friend but I disagree wholeheartedly with him on this. I can understand the frustration (of those who have preordered or are anxious to order once released), but I think the ball busting is over the line and produces absolutely zero benefit (so why do it?).

Keep up the good work Dave! Don't let the vocal few haters get you down!

[ChadTower]

I just don't see how that explanation extends out to blank control panels.  I'd like to receive the roller controller ahead of that at this point.  They were sold as a package with the CP being a preorder but there was no mention of the roller not being in hand already.

PM sent on shipping the roller controller separately. 

[Namco]

Dave's problem is he enjoys this so much that he can't help but talk about it and take some joy in the excitement it generates even in the early stages of the product. Other vendors like to keep projects close to the vest until released. Perhaps the latter approach is better, but I can't blame him for taking the former.

I've gone on record several times saying "bravo" to Dave for all he's done and is doing and I'll do it again. I agree wholeheartedly with saint's comments about shooting in the foot. I consider Friz to be a friend but I disagree wholeheartedly with him on this. I can understand the frustration (of those who have preordered or are anxious to order once released), but I think the ball busting is over the line and produces absolutely zero benefit (so why do it?).

Keep up the good work Dave! Don't let the vocal few haters get you down!

There is a place in this world for the whistleblower if you work for a company that adheres to Sarbanes-Oxley or have taken an accounting class in the last few years, you know this all too well already probably. Nobody has been defrauded and Dave has done nothing wrong, but nonetheless consumer criticism in regard to market practices of any kind is valid ("ball-busting" or otherwise) and should be considered objectively.

My previous post about my disappointment set aside, I do love the work Dave is working toward, reproducing a piece of history (controls, t-molding, documentation, etc). Dave's open communication with the community is top-notch but if I do have a couple words of advice it would be to manage expectations a little better and adopt a Valve Software policy of "it will be done when it's released" and refrain from so proactively advertising products that have not yet been released.

[ChadTower]

IMO, once you start accepting preorders, especially preorders of substantial amounts of money, and put up a full retail website you are no longer a hobbyist.  You're a business.  You just can't present yourself as a retail business with all of a retailer's advantages but then throw your hands up and claim hobbyist every time a problem presents itself.  That approach is the root cause of this whole mess with RAM Controls.  He presents himself as a retailer but has no interest in being accountable like one. 

The whole opinion split comes down to whether or not a given person considers RAM Controls a business.  He looks like a business, he quacks like a business, but he sure doesn't act like one.

[MaximRecoil]

He presents himself as a retailer but has no interest in being accountable like one.

Except, he is held accountable in the only area that counts; i.e., money. He hasn't skipped town with anyone's money. Everyone who has given him preorder money has done so voluntarily and can have it back at any time. The only person who could possibly have a legitimate complaint against Dave is the guy who gave him preorder money and can't get it back. Who is that guy? As far as I know, he doesn't exist.

[ChadTower]

Except, he is held accountable in the only area that counts; i.e., money. He hasn't skipped town with anyone's money. Everyone who has given him preorder money has done so voluntarily and can have it back at any time. The only person who could possibly have a legitimate complaint against Dave is the guy who gave him preorder money and can't get it back. Who is that guy? As far as I know, he doesn't exist.

We have a fundamental disagreement when you say that the only area that counts is money.

Again it comes down to accountability.  Accountability to his word is just as important as accountability to a dollar if he is a business.

[saint]

Meh Chad. Three things concern me when doing business with vendors in this hobby.

1. Are they new or do they have a history? Dave has a history of making and selling products.
2. Have they ripped anyone off? Answer here is no as far as I know.
3. Is their product shoddy? No, quite the contrary as far as I understand.

[ChadTower]

Meh Chad. Three things concern me when doing business with vendors in this hobby.

1. Are they new or do they have a history? Dave has a history of making and selling products.
2. Have they ripped anyone off? Answer here is no as far as I know.
3. Is their product shoddy? No, quite the contrary as far as I understand.

If he stops taking preorders the whole conversation goes bye-bye.  It only pops up because he keeps taking preorders with definite completion dates.  That moves the whole process away from those black and white questions and into the area of basic integrity.  My personal opinion is that his intentions are good but his actions border on those of a scammer way too closely for comfort.  Take away that aspect of it, the appearance of purchases without delivery, and nobody has any problem with RAM Controls.

[CheffoJeffo]

Meh Chad. Three things concern me when doing business with vendors in this hobby.

1. Are they new or do they have a history? Dave has a history of making and selling products.
2. Have they ripped anyone off? Answer here is no as far as I know.
3. Is their product shoddy? No, quite the contrary as far as I understand.

+1

I consider Frizz a friend and, like TheShanMan, disagree with him regarding David. I am a fan and like a lot of the stuff that David has done (including the giveaways, even though I haven't been able to capitalize), although he definitely painted a big, bright bullseye on his back with the latest "dropdead deadline".

I also disagree with David and Xiaou's assessment of Frizz -- he's a good guy and I am totally grateful to him for spearheading the "High Speed for Ken" initiatives (if you can't see how getting Ken decent Net access is good for the hobby, then you are missing something important).

 

[saint]

I also disagree with David and Xiaou's assessment of Frizz -- he's a good guy and I am totally grateful to him for spearheading the "High Speed for Ken" initiatives (if you can't see how getting Ken decent Net access is good for the hobby, then you are missing something important).

 

+1.

Actually, David, Xiaou2, and Frizz have all contributed to the hobby.

[ChadTower]

...he definitely painted a big, bright bullseye on his back with the latest "dropdead deadline".

Multiple dropped deadlines.  One of them on a new product with new preorders.  You guys keep glossing over the fact that the behavior is not just continuing.  It is expanding.

To his credit, I PMed him today saying I would like the bundled roller controller shipped now vs when the MH CP becomes available as an act of faith.  He replied within a couple of hours with a tracking number.  The guy is clearly not a scammer.  I just wish he'd stop making himself look like one.

[FrizzleFried]

Just to be clear - I've never said Dave wasn't a good guy... on the contrary... I've said he seems like one of the nicest guys around.


EDIT: Also... Dave and I exchanged a number of PM's a few months ago... where I agreed to get off his back until October 30th... and I did (didn't I Dave?).   I also told him at the time that if 10/30 came and went,  I'd be jumping his ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---,  at which time he agreed that it would be warranted (didn't you Dave?)...

[MaximRecoil]

We have a fundamental disagreement when you say that the only area that counts is money.

Again it comes down to accountability.  Accountability to his word is just as important as accountability to a dollar if he is a business.

But how could that be anyone's problem but his own? If people don't believe a word he says, then his business may suffer, but that is his business. The only thing that matters with regard to having a legitimate complaint against him is money. As long as no one is being screwed out of money, then no one has a legitimate complaint against him.

[MaximRecoil]

Just to be clear - I've never said Dave wasn't a good guy... on the contrary... I've said he seems like one of the nicest guys around.

However, saying he is a nice guy is at odds with referring to his actions as "douchebaggery", his statements as "BS", and his products as "crap" in the same post:

But whatever... as long as the guy keeps handing out free crap,  people will come to his defense.   I'm the bad guy for pointing out his douchebaggery... but that's OK... I've been the bad guy before... I am used to it.

Now don't get me wrong... Dave seems like the nicest guy in the world... but that and a buck will buy you a double cheeseburger at Micky-D's.

Go back through the guys statements on this project and you'll find more BS than I care to recant.

[Namco]

Just to be clear - I've never said Dave wasn't a good guy... on the contrary... I've said he seems like one of the nicest guys around.

However, saying he is a nice guy is at odds with referring to his actions as "douchebaggery", his statements as "BS", and his products as "crap" in the same post:

But whatever... as long as the guy keeps handing out free crap,  people will come to his defense.   I'm the bad guy for pointing out his douchebaggery... but that's OK... I've been the bad guy before... I am used to it.

Now don't get me wrong... Dave seems like the nicest guy in the world... but that and a buck will buy you a double cheeseburger at Micky-D's.

Go back through the guys statements on this project and you'll find more BS than I care to recant.

Don't worry MaximRecoil, Frizz will just recant those statements. 

[ChadTower]

But how could that be anyone's problem but his own? If people don't believe a word he says, then his business may suffer, but that is his business. The only thing that matters with regard to having a legitimate complaint against him is money. As long as no one is being screwed out of money, then no one has a legitimate complaint against him.

Opportunity Cost is a very legitimate business complaint.  In this scenario that has to be modified to more of a Hobby Opportunity Cost rather than monetary but it still does apply.  Broken promises do damage to both parties.

[CheffoJeffo]

Is the world coming to an end ? saint, maxim, xiaou and I are on the same side of an argument and Chad and Frizz are on the other side ?

In any aspect of this hobby, when you rely on somebody else, you are taking your chances on being disappointed and having timelines extended.

Everybody has a story about having a game or PCB sitting in somebody else's shop waiting for repair ... in some cases for as long as David is "overdue" with his projects. And, in those cases, the other person actually has possession of your property.

Which is worse ?  

I'm not one for signing up for pre-orders, but there are a few folks that I would send deposits / pre-order money to and David would be included in that list (if any of his projects intersected with mine).

[KonkeyKong]

Anybody take a look at Dave's order section lately?  Somebody's been rather busy it appears.  Can't speak for the rest of ya's, but that much multi-tasking plus the level of perfection being sought would literally blow my brain clean outta my skull.

[FrizzleFried]

Just to be clear - I've never said Dave wasn't a good guy... on the contrary... I've said he seems like one of the nicest guys around.

However, saying he is a nice guy is at odds with referring to his actions as "douchebaggery", his statements as "BS", and his products as "crap" in the same post:

But whatever... as long as the guy keeps handing out free crap,  people will come to his defense.   I'm the bad guy for pointing out his douchebaggery... but that's OK... I've been the bad guy before... I am used to it.

Now don't get me wrong... Dave seems like the nicest guy in the world... but that and a buck will buy you a double cheeseburger at Micky-D's.

Go back through the guys statements on this project and you'll find more BS than I care to recant.

Hold on a second... I guess you're not too familiar with the English language because "free crap" is a common saying for "free stuff".  I've never ONCE said any of his completed projects were "crap" as in sub-par.  Thank you.

I stand by my other statements though.  You can be a nice guy and a BS artist....  and yes,  it's "douchebaggery" to continuously break stated deadlines,  especially when folks have pre-ordered and possibly planned projects around these stated deadlines.

[Daviea]

Hey Guys,

This has actually turned into an interesting conversation now.  I'm seeing some legitimate criticism I can work from.

First of all, as much as I'd like to, I simply cannot control delays.  I have every intention of meeting my drop dead dates, but "issues" never fail to surface which ultimately cause me to push those dates back.  Perhaps there's something to the "it'll be ready when it's ready" idea that someone else proposed.  I admit that much of this is of my own doing because I do try to commit to release dates.  I've been flip flopping on that idea, but I'm leaning towards moving away from using pre-orders if it will reduce the amount of backlash I receive.  I really feel that if the pre-orders and drop dead release dates were a thing of the past, people might come up with something else to complain about.  I have to wonder if it's even possible to please "most" of the people.  I was hoping that my quality parts and stellar personality would be enough.  Perhaps not...  I'm going to mull this over.  Then there's the fact that I am working on SO many project simultaneously - that in itself adds a whole different level of difficulty none of you would ever comprehend do to the sheer magnitude.  I think that if any of the naysayers here were to see the RAM Controls "operation" up close, they might change their tune to some degree.... then again, maybe not.  

Friz, you did warn me that come October 30th that if I didn't have the yoke ready, you'd blast me.  True to your word, you blasted me. :-)  Do I deserve it?  Well, in my opinion I'd have to say yes and no.  I'm trying to be fair and objective on this subject as I do see my faults which play into this.

Yes, because like Cheffo said, I painted a big bullseye on my back by stating a drop dead date and then skipping right past it yet again.  Like Chad said, a broken promise does make me look bad and can damage both parties involved.  My quest for perfection does cause delays that would otherwise not exist, but it's hard for me to qualify this one as a negative because people really dig my perfect reproduction parts.  However, for the sake of argument, I'll list this as a reason why I should take some heat since it did slow things down a bit.

No, because as much as I try to get these projects completed on time, there are things (mostly production processes) which come up that I never accounted for and have little control over.  I do take the blame because I did promise a date.  I'm not happy about it, but it is what it is.  I'm trying to cover for it by keeping in constant contact with everyone (hand-holding) while I finish this up.

Chad made a point about making myself out to look like a scammer.  I would agree with that statement IF I hadn't already released so many items into the community over and over again.  That alone appears to afford me a certain amount of slack which I very much appreciate.  You just have to see the bigger picture here, I guess.  I believe that the reason behind this comment is primarily due to the fact that a lot of people have been scammed in this hobby, myself included.  If there's something specific that I am doing that might make me LOOK like a scammer...something that I can control, I'll be happy to fix that issue.  I don't want to LOOK bad, afterall.  I'd like to believe that I'm a good guy with the best intentions for everyone involved.

A point has also been made about the difference between hobby and business.  I want to be clear on this point.  Yes, technically, RAM Controls is a business entity.  however, that said, it's a HOBBY business.  At year end, when everything is reconciled, the books show a clear loss.  Why is that?  Because I treat it exactly like a hobby.  I'm not in it to make money, I'm in it to create replacement parts for the community.  Having the business aspect helps me obtain excellent pricing on materials and having the website allows an easy means to release parts into the community.  Regardless of how it looks or how anyone might *think* I should run RAM Controls, the fact remains that I will always view and treat this as a hobby.  If I didn't, the prices would go way up, I wouldn't give anything away, I wouldn't take on any project which is risky in the least, etc.  So, having things run the way they are, I expect and plan to lose money in the process.  Just like any other hobby, I dump my own cash into it at an alarming rate just for the fun of it.  Yes, it's over the top but everyone already knows I am like that. :-)

The bottom line is that I make reproduction parts and I will continue to do so regardless of the obvious hiccups/delays and ensuing forum arguments.  I'll reconsider my position on pre-orders.  If the majority of you have a real problem with it, I will comply by removing my pre-order policy permanently.  As for release dates, I'm leaning toward not using them any longer.  I assume this would be a move in the right direction, no?

Thanks guys.  As always, I appreciate your support and kind words.  It's the occasional pat on the back that helps keep me focused on WHY I do this. :-)

Dave

[MaximRecoil]

Opportunity Cost is a very legitimate business complaint.  In this scenario that has to be modified to more of a Hobby Opportunity Cost rather than monetary but it still does apply.  Broken promises do damage to both parties.

You only have a dollar. Do you buy a $1 hot dog or a $1 notebook? If you buy the hot dog, the notebook is the "opportunity cost" (and vice versa); and no, you don't have a legitimate complaint against the hot dog vendor for costing you a notebook.

But they haven't gotten their SW yokes yet, right? It is irrelevant, because of the offer of the refund if anyone tires of waiting; so that's part of the deal that they bought into.  

BTW; "opportunity cost" is just a concept; it is not a real, tangible cost.

[MaximRecoil]

Hold on a second... I guess you're not too familiar with the English language because "free crap" is a common saying for "free stuff".  I've never ONCE said any of his completed projects were "crap" as in sub-par.  Thank you.

No, "free crap" is not a common saying for "free stuff". "Free stuff" is a common saying for "free stuff" and "free crap" is a common saying for "free crap". The word "crap" in "free crap" indicates worthlessness, while "free stuff" gives no indication of value/worth.

[Deadly]

Since we're using analogies, I see things as David does. I also see the other side.
Back in the day when I ran my own business "PC repair" I learned early on people do not care one iota why their computer was hosed. They couldn't understand no matter how I explained it to them that the original assesment ended up being something else and therefor their bill was more. The only thing they were interested in is getting back a working PC in the time frame I promised and for the amount I quoted. 

Hmmmmm - yes I do believe this is EXACTLY what you are up against.

People couldn't care less why you're behind so no matter how much you update the blog people generally won't care. They only care about getting what they were promised. After all, you are a business and they are the customer. I guess coming from the otherside of the fence than most other people makes it easier to turn a blind eye to it all. 

Keep going my man - you're almost at the finish line.

[FrizzleFried]

Hold on a second... I guess you're not too familiar with the English language because "free crap" is a common saying for "free stuff".  I've never ONCE said any of his completed projects were "crap" as in sub-par.  Thank you.

No, "free crap" is not a common saying for "free stuff". "Free stuff" is a common saying for "free stuff" and "free crap" is a common saying for "free crap". The word "crap" in "free crap" indicates worthlessness, while "free stuff" gives no indication of value/worth.

Not where I am from.   Free crap = Free sh!t (sorry to bypass the filter Saint...had to get the word across) = Free schwag = Free stuff.   If that's not a common saying where you are from,  sorry about that.  That was/is my intention and I am sure Dave (and likely the vast majority of the rest of the folks here) knew that.

Another example... "I gotta move my stuff..."  "I gotta move my crap..."  Both mean the very same thing...

CRAP: Miscellaneous or disorganized items.... (among other definitions)... in this case used as "miscellaneous items"...

Now,  lets not continue with the thread crapping about "crap".

[Daviea]

Friz,

I knew what you meant.  As much as you have a problem with me personally, I know that you don't have a problem with my stuff. 

Dave

Hold on a second... I guess you're not too familiar with the English language because "free crap" is a common saying for "free stuff".  I've never ONCE said any of his completed projects were "crap" as in sub-par.  Thank you.

No, "free crap" is not a common saying for "free stuff". "Free stuff" is a common saying for "free stuff" and "free crap" is a common saying for "free crap". The word "crap" in "free crap" indicates worthlessness, while "free stuff" gives no indication of value/worth.

Not where I am from.   Free crap = Free sh!t (sorry to bypass the filter Saint...had to get the word across) = Free schwag = Free stuff.   If that's not a common saying where you are from,  sorry about that.  That was/is my intention and I am sure Dave (and likely the vast majority of the rest of the folks here) knew that.

 

[Daviea]

Hey Deadly,

I think you know what I am up against.  I'll just keep plugging along.  

Though, I do see a couple of subjects in this entire thread that are things I could work on.  As long as I see some sort of response to my query on the subject, otherwise I will have to assume that I should keep doing things as I have.  

You mentioned something which made me realize that I forgot to mention cost control.  I've been trying to keep the cost of this SW yoke as close to my original price as possible, even though my cost has risen substantially do to many unforeseen issues.  Perhaps I should push the point, but I thought the fact that I was keeping the cost under control while dealing with all the issues was obvious.  Then again, does anyone really care?

Dave

Since we're using analogies, I see things as David does. I also see the other side.
Back in the day when I ran my own business "PC repair" I learned early on people do not care one iota why their computer was hosed. They couldn't understand no matter how I explained it to them that the original assesment ended up being something else and therefor their bill was more. The only thing they were interested in is getting back a working PC in the time frame I promised and for the amount I quoted.  

Hmmmmm - yes I do believe this is EXACTLY what you are up against.

People couldn't care less why you're behind so no matter how much you update the blog people generally won't care. They only care about getting what they were promised. After all, you are a business and they are the customer. I guess coming from the otherside of the fence than most other people makes it easier to turn a blind eye to it all.  

Keep going my man - you're almost at the finish line.

[FrizzleFried]

Friz,

I knew what you meant.  As much as you have a problem with me personally, I know that you don't have a problem with my stuff. 

Dave

Hold on a second... I guess you're not too familiar with the English language because "free crap" is a common saying for "free stuff".  I've never ONCE said any of his completed projects were "crap" as in sub-par.  Thank you.

No, "free crap" is not a common saying for "free stuff". "Free stuff" is a common saying for "free stuff" and "free crap" is a common saying for "free crap". The word "crap" in "free crap" indicates worthlessness, while "free stuff" gives no indication of value/worth.

Not where I am from.   Free crap = Free sh!t (sorry to bypass the filter Saint...had to get the word across) = Free schwag = Free stuff.   If that's not a common saying where you are from,  sorry about that.  That was/is my intention and I am sure Dave (and likely the vast majority of the rest of the folks here) knew that.

 

I don't have a problem with you personally... I have a problem with you professionally (well,  that's not the word really... but you get my drift).  And that problem is no more.  I don't care anymore.... at all.  You won't see me commenting on your yoke deadlines any longer.  I've given up.