From: tssnext!tss (Total System Software)
Subject: Re: Total Systems Software Fax software
Organization: Total System Software
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 23:15:33 GMT

In article <1992Oct9.165012.6394@u.washington.edu>  
basiji@stein.u.washington.edu (David Basiji) writes:
> 
> This stuff is officially (in my definition) vaporware.
> Every time we call them, it's "We're shipping in 3 days!"
> Needless to say, we've been calling them for months.
> 
> Sounds like the place is run by a bunch of unprofessionals
> who shot their mouth off about taking orders and bit off
> more than they could chew.  TSS, if you're listening, when 
> asked "when are you going to ship?" the correct response
> if you aren't physically packing disks into envelopes is
> "We don't know but we expect within [1-30][days,weeks,months]."
> You don't lie to paying customers (or anyone else for that matter).
> 
> Needless to say, as soon as (if) anyone else comes out with
> a similar product for the Supra we'll buy it and throw TSS over
> a barrel, whether they've shipped or not.
> 
> David Basiji


David,
  
  We find it misleading of you to imply that we have charged you or any one  
else for a piece of software that has not been delivered. 
You (unlike us-we have CONSIDERABLE expense) have not invested a dime in the  
software.

We have always told everyone this is PRE-RELEASE and have not charged anyone.   
We thought we would allow people to get on the ground floor of a great piece of  
software with a great price to go along with it. The only thing a potential  
customer is out is postage, or the expense of a phone call to get the  
pre-release price and incentives for a great piece of software.

We have always maintained that anyone who wants off the waiting list can get  
off.  Give us the name in witch you placed your order, and we will take you  
off, and you may consider us "Thrown over a barrel".


    We have only given (unfortunately inaccurate) estimates when pressed, since  
the original release, which time has shown was underestimated. The shipping
date keeps on slipping, but we will not release it until we feel it is ready.
  
    DFax sends and receives faxes. The faxes we have sent to people have been  
referred to by the receivers as ``excellent quality'', and ``looks great''.     
DFax works with the ``E'' ROM equipped Supras.  DFax works with the ``F'' ROM  
equipped Supras (despite extremely slight support from Supra them- selves), as  
well as possible, considering that the Adaptive Answer feature on such ``F''  
equipped modems is completely inoperative.  Supra is now accepting orders for  
``H'' and ``J'' revision ROMs which should restore this feature, nevertheless,  
DFax has been programmed AROUND the failure in the ``F'' ROMs.
  
    DFax does NOT cause ``talk'' and comparable init/wtmp governed utilities to  
fail.  DFax does NOT require a public Window Server, nor other ``security  
holes''.  DFax does NOT require an active user during facsimile document  
preparation.  DFax does NOT answer the phone if the system is down (unlike  
AutoAnswer on many modems).  DFax DOES take extreme measures to reset the modem  
on dropped connections, rather than hanging, regardless of connection mode.   
DFax DOES integrate smoothly with the system.
  
    DFax is also not going into the envelopes tonight, nor will it be posted in  
the morning.  There are two things we are still refining.  One, is compensation  
for transmission errors on received faxes, because MANY OTHER FACSIMILE  
products on the market will REFUSE to resync, retrain and retransmit.  (DFax  
WILL retrain and retransmit, so long as the Supra or distant equipment does not  
drop the connection).

    The second thing, deliberately reserved for the last, is freezing the  
installation application.  IF we receive our ``J'' ROMs prior to packaging, it  
will be double checked with them, also.
  
 --
Bruce Gingery
Total System Software

tss@TotSysSoft.com  or
bruce@TotSysSoft.com
-- 
Bruce Gingery
Total System Software

tss@TotSysSoft.com  or
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.software