M8 Firmware 1.10 Update

Before I start handing out prizes, was that in this thread? Was it written by Leica? If I can win by a technicality, I still win ;)
 
Ben Z said:
My definition of "interesting" would be...a single word from Leica, or even an authenticated, substantiated quote. What I see in that thread is nothing more than uncorroborated hearsay.
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No need to shoot the messenger. I just passed something along I thought might be relevant to the discussion. You are free to do whatever you want with the information.
 
Didn't mean to do that. There are an awful lot of people on that forum claiming to be messengers for Leica though, who do deserve to get "shot" if they can't corroborate their information ;)
 
StuartR said:
Before I start handing out prizes, was that in this thread? Was it written by Leica? If I can win by a technicality, I still win ;)
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This one.

The only way you can wiggle out of it : It was the owner, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, not the actual company;)
 
2 posts in six months....he is obviously hanging on our every word!
 
That he does not say anything does not mean he does not read anything.
But I'll visit your website and settle for the chocolate bar.:p
 
Firmware/Software development, unfortunately, often marches to the beat of a different drummer. Take the largest software company in the world - it is the most profiatable by a large margin, has more money than God and has often been quoted as one of the the best run corporations in the world. When was the last time they delivered an operating system on time and free of bugs? As I recall, the OS prior to the current bestseller was over two years late.

I would much rather that Leica do this release correctly; spend the requisite time and money to test it out thoroughly and finally release 1.10 even in June, if that's what it takes. What would be worse is if they force themselves to meet the deadline this month with an inept version. That for sure would do greater harm than a delay in the release. However, if a delay is warranted, they should communicate the matter to their clientele and the majority of us would understand and cut them slack. In management as in all other matters, it is lack of communication that is the single biggest culprit in fostering dissatisfaction.
 
Well, yeah, better late than never. We all agree on that, I guess. At the end of the day, Microsoft's development is in house for the most part, so they only have themselves to blame for being late (and delivering garbage releases ;) ). I was just musing on the business sense of sourcing core development/maintenance.
 
sirvine said:
Well, yeah, better late than never. We all agree on that, I guess.
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Absolutely, except that in the case of the DMR where Leica broke up with firmware-producer Imacon just as they've done with M8-firmware-producer Jenoptik, late (firmware upgrade promised more than a year ago) has turned into never as Leica recently discontinued the DMR. I think that's adding a measure of apprehension here, and perhaps a little skepticism to what otherwise might be considered just a minor delay.
 
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Grober said:
I'm guessing that you guys have not been in the software development business, right?

Delays are to be expected! All one can do is chill.

A standard illustration from the s/w business still is true: if you want a baby, you can put nine women on it for one month OR one woman on it for nine months. Which 'baby' do you want? (NO disrespect intended to anyone.)

Patience, folks. It's done when it's done.

-g
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Grober's practically quoting from Fred Brooks's "The Mythical Man Month," and since Brooks was the project leader for the IBM 360 OS, he knew what he was talking about. To top things off, if someone other than Jenoptik has to take over the software there'll be an even more significant delay. Any of you guys who've done software ever tried to take over someone else's work, no matter how well documented and commented? If so, you'll know what I'm talking about.
 
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Let's hope Panasonic is not writing code for the M8. Ever try doing street photography with a Digilux 2?
 
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Not having success partnering with non-German companies is in the nature of the beast - I have been living in the US for 17 years, but I am German. I used to work for the largest business application software vendor in Germany and later in the US and we had the exact same problems. It has to do with the way Germans conduct business - it is very difficult for them to adjust. We had endless discussions about partnering and no partner could do it right for them - it was very very painful to watch. I suspect the same is happening with Leica - they are set in their ways and have a horrible time to understand other companies business practices. Even when they are fully aware that it will have a serious impact on their customers they cannot adjust their attitude. The syaing "it is my way or the highway" is still very much true - unfortunately. :bang:
 
RF Addict,
I too have attempted to partner with a German company (not software) and it was horrific- Benz Chrysler anyone? Question having now lived in the US and from the perspective you must have to write your above comment are you now more US then German in some respects? You raise a very interesting point and it would be interesting to read your transformation and or observations in more detail.
 
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I was an executive with a computer company with a German subsidiary/partnership back in the 80s, it was a nightmare.

While Guy and Sean appear confident that the firmware is coming, I have serious concerns. Here it is February 28th and no word on either the software or the filters promissed for this month. I think they owe all of us a 30% discount coupon on two lenses for having to put up with this don't you?
 
RF-Addict said:
I used to work for the largest business application software vendor in Germany and later in the US and we had the exact same problems. It has to do with the way Germans conduct business - it is very difficult for them to adjust.
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Gee, I wonder who THAT could be? Some Application Provider? Anyway, they're the perfect example of a developer that exploits the customer's lack of project management skills. Between the developer and the consultants who are implementing, no one is accountable, everyone is racking up fees, and the customer is helpless because the only other game in town is even more of a moustache-twirling, dastardly villain. The fact that nearly every business in the world pays a massive license and maintenance fee for a product that literally doesn't work off the shelf and requires months of configuration to meet basic business needs tells you everything you need to know about that situation. Ok, really OT now, sorry. I'll drop this.
 
Ted, yes I certainly have gone thorugh an interesting transition and it is very difficult today to understand some of the german business practices. I remember when we wanted to adapt the sotware to get into a new industry (Consumer Product Goods). I was the lead consultant for an early adapter company and had the "pleasure" to communicate US requirements to the German Headquarter of said software company. The prevailant attitude in Germany when they heard about rebate programs, shelf space discounts and "buy one get one free" was - this makes absolutely no sense and we will not implement this! Now - think about this - the US is NOT the smallest country in the world and here is a huge opportrunity to own an entire industry and the lead developer just refuses to accept business practices that "don't make sense" to him. It took many trips to Germany with executives of the client to convince the Germans that they really had no choice, if they wanted to get a foot in the door. Ultimately it worked out, but we had to have a conference call every single week for 18 months with Germany to make sure that the developers would not just make up their own rules.

Am I more American than German? It's a tough question and there is no clear cut answer. There are many values I share with Germany, but I have become a heck more flexible in my thinking and attitude towards new things. I still show up 5 minutes before an agreed upon appointment - can't help it;)
 
jaapv said:
Yes- great camera.
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No offense Jap but that thing was not fast enough to capture the action at a tree sloth convention. Also it's electronics were / are buggy as hell. Mine works one day and the next five it's buttons are mysteriously DOA. Not a good camera IMO unless you like to take your time with your shots, don’t mind always checking if you are on infinity or Macro focus settings- the list goes on and on.

Back on topic, it’s not that firmware 1.9 is that bad, it’s not. It’s that it’s not perfect and may have more negative ramifications than I have experienced (yet) but that others have. Leica needs to show that they can release firmware nay that they have the ability to release firmware to fix inevitable bugs. The DMR was FUBAR and Leica cannot allow this to happen with the M8 by simply dropping it and releasing an M9. In a slightly different twist my Digilux 2 has intermitted problems but Leica cannot fix it due to the fact Panasonic made the boards and none exist anymore so I am left with a $2500 paperweight. Burned once shame on you, burned twice shame on me.

This is VERY SERIOUS and Leica needs to step up if nothing more then to retract their last due date for the firmware and give us a heads up with an anticipated new ship date. If they are just stalling due to the Jenoptik fallout then they will loose the game if they do not change there gameplan.
 
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