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Archiver > TMG > 2001-06 > 0991666928


From: Lee Hoffman <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Re: TMG 32-bit - reply to Bob Velke
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 11:08:08 -0400
References: <4.2.0.58.20010603201340.00dbe2f0@24.2.2.70>
In-Reply-To: <001c01c0ece9$9f867c60$3bf2f5c7@oemcomputer>


Steve Shook wrote:
>Bob, I believe that you are referring to me in your message, so I'll
>respond. Consumer frustration isn't solely related to the fact that
>Wholly Genes has been working on TMG's overhaul for a long time. The
>frustration is that TMG users are in the DARK as to what, if anything,
>is going on with the development of the 32-bit interface? Simple
>**periodic communication** would work wonders. Perhaps it would even
>enhance the marketing of the product, which would benefit everyone by
>hopefully creating a larger user base.

I don't think Bob would disagree with you here. As has been noted here,
the Wholly Genes website has been changed to indicate the delay which seems
like periodic communication to me. Given the number of different e-mail
forums devoted to TMG, I think the posting on the Wholly Genes website is
much more efficient for all concerned

>As a university professor of marketing,

Hmmm!?

>Is it any fault of the **consumer** that Wholly
>Genes is understaffed?

Who said it was the fault of the consumer? Staffing is something that
involves many factors -- not the least of which is economics. And that is
a factor that is controlled by the consumers collectively. If TMG were
priced according to its capacity, capability, flexibility, etc., then the
price would be a lot higher (other competing programs notwithstanding).
Then with higher prices (and income), Wholly Genes could hire additional
staff -- IF they could use them. Keep in mind the old adage of "too many
cooks spoil the soup." I am sure that Bob would like some additional
staff, but past a certain point he would have to re-organize the way things
are done and that would require more staff, etc. Pretty soon, Wholly Genes
would wind up bing overstaffed and have to lay off, possibly have to sell
out to a larger company which might drop TMG as a product (a la UFT), and
then where would we be. There are many factors to marketing that I think
you need to re-learn.


>Are there any alternatives that could alleviate
>this problem (e.g., outsourcing, temp hiring, consultants, strategic
>alliances)?

Do you know that these alternatives are not all being used to great
advantage? I wonder how many others not on the Wholly Genes staff have
this knowledge.

>Is it any fault of the **consumer** that priorities were
>changed in mid-stream that severely affected the development of the
>32-bit interface?

Well, in a way it is. You can blame the beta testers! They are all
consumers -- and volunteers.

>Is it simply wrong for your **consumers** to complain
>and vent their frustrations, regardless of the issue? I interpret your
>remark as saying that "Consumers that complain can just go to hell....We
>know what we're doing here and we don't want or appreciate you input
>concerning our business decisions."

I don't think Bob was saying that at all. Bob has always asked for
criticism of TMG. But he wants constructive criticism and not diatribes
for the sake of griping.

>Furthermore, nobody on either thread has even come close to implying
>that your staff is "sipping daiquiris on the beach" -- far from it.

It sounded like thaqt to me.

>It's obvious from the volume of messages concerning the 16-bit versus
>32-bit interface that Wholly Genes has a significant number of users
>that are growing increasingly frustrated -- it's not just me.

Yes, there are a lot of messages regarding the 16 vs 32 bit interface. But
most seem to come from only a few people. A few others have joined the
thread to say that "yes, they want v5 as quickly as possible". However,
most of them have also said thatthey want it right rather than wrong right
now .

>I hate to be the fly in your ointment, Bob, but as a consumer of your
>product I feel that I have a every right to suggest ways to spurn the
>development of the 32-bit interface along as you have the right to delay
>its development. Communication - it's a two-way street. I'm very willing
>to stick with Wholly Genes and their TMG product. Other users may not,
>however, which would erode the consumer base. This affects not only
>Wholly Genes, but all TMG users -- including me. In sum, I only wish for
>Wholly Genes/TMG/Bob Velke to succeed.

Then let the man do his work. Asking for a update of status is one thing,
and saying that TMG v5 should have been out long ago is also one thing
(even Bob agrees with this). But adding salt to a wound doesn't help -- it
might erode that consumer base more.

----------
Lee Hoffman/KY
E-mail:
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
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A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)

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