instead we must wait while an OS update is prepared and bugs are fixed, and then wait again while it passes SQA--which hasn't been very effective lately.
As a new Cobalt owner, I continue to be amazed! The response from Duncan i.e. is typical of a company that has lost site of it's primary focus. I train corporate execs, one of the examples of poor management practices leading to loss of market share I use is that of Epson (remember Epson?), which during the 80's was THE printer company. Until it frankly ignored it's customer base. Their tech support was abysmal, (like Cobalt's), with unsupported users groups trying to do the job of company tech support with only the help of a very few helpful employees (like Jeff) on their spare time. When it came time to replace the printer, the former loyal customers bought ANYTHING else. How did Epson turn around? One of the first steps was to ASSIGN a tech support person to be part of every users group, they still do this today. And sales are still improving.
When I went to buy my raq3 as a web server, the sales company tried to sell me something else! Their words were "It's a good appliance, but WE don't support it, and we've had so many complaints about support and people trying to return them to us we've about stopped selling them." But, it got good reviews (and the price was right) so I bought it. Thank God this company did go out of their way to answer questions and help with the initial set up. Cobalt sure as hell did not.
I need another server. It won't be a cobalt, and that's kind of sad. They have good engineers and a good concept, but until the management wakes-up and realizes a company like this doesn't fail do the tech problems, but because of PEOPLE problems, I believe they will see a distinct lack of repeat customers. This, combined with retailers offering other solutions to avoid listening to their customers gripes, makes it look bad for the future.
Wake up Cobalt, there is still time.
Ray Nelson