From: vince.maiocco@satalink.com (Vince Maiocco)
Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.apps
Subject: WFW Ver 2.0 2.0a 2.0b 2.0
Date: 5 Jan 93 08:40:00 GMT
Reply-To: vince.maiocco@satalink.com (Vince Maiocco)
Organization: Datamax/Satalink Connection * Ivyland, PA (215) 443-9434

LY>Are these the bug fix and how to tell which is which?

In the old days, a software manufacturer would simply 
add numeric digits to the right of the decimal point to 
indicate "enhancements" that did not justify a new 
version number.  New version numbers were reserved for 
an entirely new program.  MS, or maybe someone else, one 
day came up with the idea to tack alpha characters onto 
version numbers when the only "enhancements" were, in 
fact, bug fixes that they just didn't want to come right 
out and admit they had.  2.0a is the first wave of bug 
fixes, 2.0b is the second, etc.  Generally speaking, 
you're better off getting a letter that's further down 
the alphabet, just as you're usually better off with a 
higher version number.  Lately, however, in an effort 
to grab as much money as possible, the software 
manufacturers are resorting to tactics like relaeasing 2 
different versions of WordPerfetct for Windows 5.1, the 
second fixing stupid bugs in the first.  Problem is, of 
course, there's no way to know which one is sitting on 
the retailer's shelf the day you walk in and decide to 
buy it.  So, you get to take it home, install it and try 
for weeks to use a worthless piece of crap(no, I'm not 
bitter - I'm just pissed off<G>).  The other thing, 
although this is nothing new, is that version 6.3 may 
have more bugs in it that v. 6.2, just different ones.
To answer your other question; Yes, *SOMEONE* knows what 
was fixed in W4W v. 2.0a, as opposed to v. 2.0b, but 
they haven't exactly written a book about it, as far as 
I know.  

Apparently, we just don't need to know that information.  

Apparently, we're just supposed to keep shelling out the 
money, to pay 2 and 3 times for what we should have 
gotten in the first place; a program that has been 
tested, debugged and represents the highest quality 
product that the company is capable of producing at this 
point in time.  I don't know why I keep trying to say 
"American" and "Quality" in the same sentence!  The two 
terms are absolutley mutually exclusive!!

Anybody who tries to tell you that they aren't aware of 
these bugs when they release the product is full of 
crap!  

Yes, I'm mad as hell, and I don't think I wanna take it 
anymore!!!

Whew!  I feel a lot better, now.  The swelling is going 
down, so I think I'll check out this brand new Word 
processor I just got for Christmas:  it's about 7 inches 
long, the base model is yellow, but other colors are 
available at no extra cost.  It doesn't have drop-down 
menus, but it does have an "undo" function.  And the 
"Undo" can be used at any time, not only immediately 
upon making an error.  There is no printer buffer to 
overflow, and any upgrade will be easily recognizable.  
Gee, y'know this thing looks like one helluvan 
improvement over the other word processors.  It doesn't 
need to be installed, or rebooted - ever.  Let's see 
who makes this?  Hey, guess what, it's Amerian made!!  
Some company named "Ticonderoga".  Apparently, this is 
version No. 2.  Ouch!!  Hey, it's really quite sharp on 
the end opposite the "Undo" adapter<G>.
Good Luck
L8r.


--- WinQwk 2.0 a#0