Is a more structured Alpha/Beta program needed?

KF4HR

I'm sure there are Flex users out there that are constantly chompin'-at-the-bit for the next software upgrade.  I'm not one of them.  I normally sit back and read the feedback after a new software version is released, then only upgrade only if I feel there's a real benefit to the newer version.  In fact, if not for my Maestro purchase I'd probably still be running V1.5.1. 

Putting out new software versions every few months, only to have customers become their own beta testers, reduces my confidence in the product.  Personally I'd prefer Flex reduce their software upgrade frequency, perhaps just moving to an annual software release, if this would result in a more reliable product. 

Granted Flex is on the cutting edge and has its loyal customers.  On the flip side I'm constantly comparing my Flex-6700 reliability to my ICOM IC-7800.  If the bug or configuration frustration levels get too high with my Flex, I find myself reaching for my 7800's On button.   

Mike W9OJ

The OM-4000 is not an older tube amp.

KC2QMA_John

Flex may be doing this now but with all of the success of the amateur radio division it’s time to higher a bunch more software engineers to speed development SSDR and Maestro. I am happy with the performance of my 6500 I just wish the software would move along faster to at least have many of the features of PowerSDR.

[Deleted User]

I agree with that 100%. Updates are needed more than 1 every 6 months or so. Bugs need to be corrected as a high priority.

[Deleted User]

Yup blame it on the user environment.

Burt Fisher

So why are you making a public comment now?

To show the king has your ear?

Jon_KF2E

Good point Burt! 

Jon...kf2e

Burt Fisher

You mean "hire" KC2QMA? Are you going to pay them? Flex is not a charity, they need to make money, how they do it on hams amazes me.

Jon_KF2E

No Burt, they need to hire Darrin KE9NS...and YES, I will contribute to get some of the same work he is doing for PSDR.

Jon...kf2e

[Deleted User]

Sign me up . . . I second that.

K7NXT

Clearly, there is a lot of interest in this topic.  -  I believe that FLEX has a window of opportunity that is closing pretty fast. Let me explain:

An SDR is all about software.  While the Maestro is a beautiful piece of hardware, FLEX will live or die because of its software.

My point is that perceived quality (good or bad) operates as a contagion process, especially when something as innovative as FLEX - Maestro first hits the market.  

So,  when I say that the window is closing for Flex 6X00 products, I mean that once the yet-to-upgrade market begins to reach consensus on the 6X00 reliability, stability, etc.  - it will be very hard to change that market perception. 

Consequently, (and speaking as a former Software Manager) I strongly believe that FLEX should put a hold on new features until the existing software features are considered "rock solid" by the user base.  

My vote is that Rock Solid beats More Features any day of the week.  

I'm wondering what everyone else thinks?

 

KD7CAO

I can agree with what you are saying. At the same time however, V2 of the software was promised shortly after sale yet I have not seen the promised functionality. To me the Maestro is useless without the remote control over the Internet. Heck, it is the whole reason we purchased 4 of the 6700 and Maestro controllers.

KC2QMA_John

Good catch Burt

[Deleted User]

Ive said that before and couldn't agree with you more

Bill -VA3WTB

I knew as soon as something ever went wrong some would jump on the opportunity to say Flex does not know what they are doing. And they think they do. Not only do the testers test, but Gerald and Steve as well as many of the Flex staff have used their Maestros for hundreds of hours with out problems.

Jay -- N0FB

Yes Steven, the environment is a major consideration...a multi-tier application such as SmartSDR is reliant on all portions of the system to work flawlessly or at least reasonably well.  That system includes the radio, the client application (SmartSDR), the Client computer, the client computer operating system, the network, the network latency and current utilization at the time of the update, the mode of the network (WiFi vs Direct Connect Ethernet).  There are many points of failure and most are out of the control of FlexRadio Systems.  Unless you fully understand software development in such an environment and what the challenges Flex Radio is up against, you might want to give Flex a little slack.  

I find many of your recent comments not useful.  Most appear to be borne out of ignorance. 

Jim Jerzycke

Agree 100% with 'NXT.

I have "spousal approval" for a 6500 now, but I'm hanging back to see how the software issues pan out.

I would MUCH rather have fewer features as long as ALL the included features work properly, and the software is 100% rock solid.

Too many requests for new bells and whistles tends to dilute the effort of the teams working on *ANY* project.

BTDT, and eventually left that company....

73, Jim

Jay -- N0FB

Burt, there maybe some method to your madness.  I don't know the full makeup of the Alpha testers as I'm not one, but it may make some sense to not have all of the Alpha group made up of technically savvy individuals who have shown a propensity to be overly positive.  A non-technical person might provide a helpful alternate view of the health of a given release.  

Again, I'm arm-chair-quarter-backing here.  FRS might already be doing this.

K7NXT

My comments are not a defense or criticism of FLEX, but simply an observation that if the product is perceived to be buggy, that will limit adoption of new users and the satisfaction of existing users.   

However, I don't think it is an adequate defense to blame users for the problems they experience or to say that the environment is complicated.  Like the others here, I spent a lot of money on my 6500 and Maestro and nowhere in the sales brochure did it say that some features may not work reliably due to the complicated environment.  

KF4HR

I couldn't agree more.  Get rid of the current bugs before complicating things with more features (and more potential bugs).

Bill -VA3WTB

Jim, the radio it's self is very solid, what is being discussed here mostly is a problem with the latest Maestro update.

Jim Jerzycke

OOOPS!

Must have dropped the ball on that. I was under the impression that it was SmartSDR that was being discussed.

I'm not in the market for a Maestro. I saw one at the HAMCON in Torrnace, CA, and while I thought it was a beautiful piece of hardware, I just can't justify the price-to-own for the type of operating I do.

Thanks for the clarification!

Bill -VA3WTB

Howard made some good points

Jim Jerzycke

I'm pretty happy with my 5000A, but it's an early one and I'm kind of itching to see how much better the new ones are.

I see the type of person you mentioned in many different hobbies I'm in, from cars to photography to shooting sports.

I just shrug them off unless they try and get me involved in their "cause". Just not worth getting all spun-up over....

Dave - W6OVP

In my professional life by far my best beta tester was a secretary in our office who could break anything she touched...

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! We used to rotate draft Instruction and Installation Manuals among normally bright secretaries who knew nothing about computers or programming. If they could not follow the directions to perfect conclusions without any help we knew WE were not good enough and had more work to do before retesting. And NO excuses were allowed for us!

I have told this story for years to haughty technical cognoscenti and received back only cynical laughs of disbelief. (BTW, from what I've seen, as with virtually all of the computer industry I doubt any of the FLEX product instructions would come even close to passing this tough test.)

km9r.mike

My risk management program has me on 1.6, however , the greater the reward the more risk I will take. I did not get maestro so 1.7 had little reward and I was about to do 1.8 and could have done so w/o any risk, but  some stubborn maestros have temporarily gotten in the way.  

VE6KWA

<<< "rock solid" >>   I see we;ve  gone from buying amateur radio gear to Rocks again...  B(   Everyone simply needs to decide what level of risk exposure they are comfortable with and upgrade (or not) accordingly. There will Always be more risk with new or bleeding edge technology. It's exciting stuff, but... if you aren't comfortable with the inherent risk, then stay an appropriate  margin behind on the curve. I'm currently an SSDR version behind and loving it.

Jay Nation

And don't forget the hyperactive power foldback when feeding complex impedance's, found on many amateur radio amplifier inputs. We wouldn't want our Flex's getting a complex would we?
I'm really looking forward to 1.8.4+.
Ya see what knobs are good for now. Right?
Still, I kinda prefer my Knobs unbricked. 
So far mine are.

73, Jay - NO5J  

km9r.mike

I currently do not have an amp, but a conservative feature is a good thing. Better than the alternative. I am actually a fan of no knobs. Good thing they did not incorporate them when designing the first computers.

Jim Jerzycke

I'm pretty comfortable close to edge. I just don't want software that locks up, crashes, or blue-screens my computer on a regular basis.

I'll tolerate the occasional crash as long as it doesn't happen too often.

Jim