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Comment by ari_elle | Hacker News Reader

Error in the article:

Too bad, because he had already fallen in love with the software, going so far as to opine that the Surface RT "doesn’t just compete with the iPad – it bypasses the iPad in many ways that are significant and valuable for me."

Nitpick: He fell in love with the hardware, the software is the part he didn't like. That was his complaint.

And: No matter if an update was available on the first day. For a major release like that it shouldn't have come to this in the first place.

Note: Is HN being mentioned and linked on ZDNet such a big thing that it should be the title of the entry rather than what it's about? -> (referring to old title - title has been changed)

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And: No matter if an update was available on the first day. For a major release like that it shouldn't have come to this in the first place.

I'm somewhat confused by this statement. I've rarely heard it applied to other companies. Siri being in Beta at launch was largely forgiven on HN. Even a substantial portion of HN made excuses for the new Apple Maps (which if it wasn't listed as a beta, clearly was).

Google's second most popular product, GMail, came out of beta in just mid-2009.

Lets be real. The update was available on the FIRST day. The freakin' first day and you're complaining that it shouldn't have come to this?

On a site where the near pillar of virtually every company is to ship something that, for all intents and purposes, is barely usable on day one and iterate like crazy, it seems like an odd statement.

I have to admit that I'm probably an odd beast in that when I get a new device, I actually install the latest software. Whether its a BluRay player or a computer. I get that most mainstream users won't do that, and I get that it was likely a mainstream blog, but I'd expect better of HN readers.

In fact I'd argue if you buy a device and it does not update out the box that's probably NOT a good sign of active development on it.

First of all:

My comment does not necessarily reflect the opinion of all individuals that gather here on HN.

Therefore:

Yes, i was a critic of Siri when it first came out and also of Apple Maps.

Additionally:

You might, and things like this happen with written text, over emphasize my statement. It was by no means meant as harsh criticism, but you can't deny the fact that it shouldn't have happened and that was basically all i said.

-) why do updates not appear for some users (it was not just him)

-) when it's being marketed with running Office and then comes along in this condition, then it certainly isn't perfect

AND:

When also keeping in mind, that:

-) the Hardware seems to be astonishing

-) Design, Input methods, everything gets positive reviews

-) this a big milestone for Microsoft, showing off not only a Microsoft branded device (not just some device where their OS is running), but also a completely new direction in which they are heading

then this was not at all a perfect start, no matter how you put it.

"And: No matter if an update was available on the first day. For a major release like that it shouldn't have come to this in the first place."

It takes time after Win8 RTM to get the image created and the hardware manufactured for the launch, and the Windows and Office teams obviously have different schedules.

The ship the device with a dummy application that downloads the latest update, or at least force updates on day one.

If the schedules are different, you plan for that. Shipping with a buggy core feature is not a good sign.

Google does that Apple has done that too. Get a new Galaxy tab and watch in wonder how many applications get updated over next few hours or so. What use is the ability to update software OTA if the users are not delivered quick incremental updates?

Thanks for being nitpicky about that. I went ballistic when I read that quote, and I've added a comment to Ed's post to have him clarify that. I fell in the opposite of love with the software. The hardware's awesome though.

Brent, if only you'd have bothered to check and for and install updates before writing such a diatribe, your experience would have been different... hope you are enjoying your surface now. I know I am.

Actually, I did check for updates as I explained repeatedly in the post. To get the Office update, you have to go to a different place - not the OS or app updates in Windows Store, but to Install Optional Updates. I wouldn't have thought to look there.

Windows Update has had 'Critical' and 'Optional' updates for years. Even novice users know that; it's RIGHT on the Windows Update control panel. And if there are no 'Critical' updates, the only thing that shows up are the 'Optional' ones. Moreover, usually only security-related or Service-Pack updates are on the 'Critical' list -- Nominal Office updates are almost ALWAYS on the 'Optional' list. Geek cred is slipping fast.

FYI: I wouldn't have cared and definitely wouldn't have submitted had the article not been a rehashing of the HN thread

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