What to do about PTC's Wildfire?




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What to do about Wildfire
An opinion by Eldon Goates, May 2003

I have a hard time swallowing PTC's Wildfire as an "Improvement" to Pro/Engineer when in just a few days one can find such a Long List of problems (and at least 3 serious bugs). It is silly that we as customers need to do the QA for PTC. So what should we do about it?
As customers we have a maintenance contract with PTC where they have agreed to update and improve the product. As far as I'm concerned they are in breech of that contract.
We as a user community need to refuse to accept this poison pill.

Here are several available options:

First we need to let PTC know in no uncertain terms that we are not happy with their work. You can do that by sending an e-mail to Richard Harrison, the President of PTC or James Heppelmann, the CEO. (If you're as mad as me, please feel free to send several.)

Second, we all need to refuse to upgrade. PTC has been seriously pushing Wildfire because their business plan would have everyone using it (so they can shove more of the same down our throats). DON'T DO IT! Don't buy into the propaganda.

We should all refuse to pay for additional maintenance. We need to vote with our dollars for the products we want -- and Wildfire is not it.

** As an extension of the above, I think we should all demand a partial refund of our maintenance for each bug we find, and the chance to slap a PLM for each bone-head issue we have to fight with.

** Maybe the best thing to get their attention . . . What about a class action in behalf of all PTC customers on maintenance -- basically for the sum of maintenance paid during Wildfire development and on till they produce a usable product. I hate litigation, but this has made me just mad enough to be that obnoxious. Prior to doing that, however, I would ask that All Pro/Engineer customers contact PTC and express their disappointment, then boycott the maintenance fees. I'm pretty sure the only way PTC will listen is if we just don't accept the junk. It's time to send that message loud and clear.

For additional reading:

If you're surprised by the recommendations or just want to read more of our view on Pro/Engineer Wildfire, please try the following subsections of this article:

A New Outlook on Wildfire

The Long Detailed List of Issues

Alternatives to taking the Wildfire Poison Pill

A Recommendation to PTC

Our Disclaimer

If you're interested in our first look at Wildfire, please read What About This Wildfire Thing??

What to do about Wildfire An opinion by Eldon Goates, May 2003
	I have a hard time swallowing PTC's Wildfire as an "Improvement" to Pro/Engineer when in just a few days one can find such a Long List of problems (and at least 3 serious bugs). It is silly that we as customers need to do the QA for PTC. So what should we do about it? As customers we have a maintenance contract with PTC where they have agreed to update and improve the product. As far as I'm concerned they are in breech of that contract. We as a user community need to refuse to accept this poison pill.
Here are several available options:
	First we need to let PTC know in no uncertain terms that we are not happy with their work. You can do that by sending an e-mail to Richard Harrison, the President of PTC or James Heppelmann, the CEO. (If you're as mad as me, please feel free to send several.) Second, we all need to refuse to upgrade. PTC has been seriously pushing Wildfire because their business plan would have everyone using it (so they can shove more of the same down our throats). DON'T DO IT! Don't buy into the propaganda. We should all refuse to pay for additional maintenance. We need to vote with our dollars for the products we want -- and Wildfire is not it. As an extension of the above, I think we should all demand a partial refund of our maintenance for each bug we find, and the chance to slap a PLM for each bone-head issue we have to fight with. Maybe the best thing to get their attention . . . What about a class action in behalf of all PTC customers on maintenance -- basically for the sum of maintenance paid during Wildfire development and on till they produce a usable product. I hate litigation, but this has made me just mad enough to be that obnoxious. Prior to doing that, however, I would ask that All Pro/Engineer customers contact PTC and express their disappointment, then boycott the maintenance fees. I'm pretty sure the only way PTC will listen is if we just don't accept the junk. It's time to send that message loud and clear.

For additional reading:
	If you're surprised by the recommendations or just want to read more of our view on Pro/Engineer Wildfire, please try the following subsections of this article: A New Outlook on Wildfire The Long Detailed List of Issues Alternatives to taking the Wildfire Poison Pill A Recommendation to PTC Our Disclaimer If you're interested in our first look at Wildfire, please read What About This Wildfire Thing??