Re: [libreoffice-marketing] I think this article helps describe some marketing concerns that we "avoid" with Two Lines.

On 05/15/2014 12:06 PM, Charles-H. Schulz wrote:
> Hello Tim,
>
> Le 15.05.2014 15:30, Kracked_P_P---webmaster a écrit :
> > On 05/15/2014 03:43 AM, Charles-H. Schulz wrote:
> > > Hello Tim,
> > >
> > >
> > > Le 14.05.2014 22:22, Kracked_P_P---webmaster a écrit :
> > > > I read this article this morning.
> > > >
> > > > Interesting article.
> > > > Since it comes from CNN Money, it might help with some marketing
> > > > issues that could creep up from time to time.
<snip>
> > > > ---------------------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > http://money.cnn.com/2014/05/13/technology/innovation/beta-testing/index.html 
> > > >  Innovation Nation
> > > >
> > > > The end of polished and perfect software
> > > >
> > > > By Adrian Covert  @CNNTech May 13, 2014: 8:21 AM ET
<snip>
> > >
> >
> > LO does do offer "true Beta" version
> > should have read
> > LO does not offer "true Beta" version
>
> okay, but that's a factually wrong statement :-)

Yes we do offer a beta version, but not disguised as a full release version.

<snip>
> I do agree. And keep in mind that at this stage, the tag "stable" is 
> very much in test. We have noticed it is somewhat misleading, as users 
> come back to us (users list, blogs, tweets, etc.) and tell us: "so 
> that's the stable version then, what's the other one for?" We may end 
> up changing that tag sooner rather than later. But as you know, 
> marketing is far from being an exact science.

It would be nice to have a better term than "Stable" in view that it 
could be taken that the "Fresh" version is not "stable", even though it 
is.  There is just a lot of new things in the "Fresh" line that needs 
some added work.

> > It is really hard to explain to most local users why we have two lines
> > and what the difference.  Most of the software that they look at do
> > not offer a two "line" option.  Maybe we could get some text that
> > could be placed in a "brochure" to help local marketers with this
> > "issue".
>
> Sure, but I disagree with you about the two lines. How come MS still 
> offers two version of Microsoft office (MSO 2013 and MSO 2010)? Are 
> users equally confused?

I did not know that MS was still selling MSO-2010.

> > The fact that now there is a CNN article telling people that there are
> > companies "knowingly" give users beta software as a "final release"
> > version is something that really should not be done.  LO does not do
> > this type of thing.
>
>
> Well, let's be very careful here. If companies do this, it is on their 
> sole responsibility. I frankly do not see TDF doing that, ever. But, 
> since these are office suites, and not airliners, nor trains or cars, 
> we can also safely distribute LibreOffice beta versions, with a very 
> clear language stating that's it should not be meant for production 
> use but that we are happy to give a preview and welcome feedback and 
> bug reports.
>
> Best,
>
> Charles.

At least we state our "beta" version as "beta" or early "release 
candidates" versions and not as if they were "final release" version.

TDF/LO keeps the alpha, beta, RCx, and "final" release version named as 
such.  Of course the final RC version is the one that is released as the 
version that "normal" users will install.  I just hate those companies 
that offer a product that is actually an alpha or beta as their 
non-alpha/beta version.




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