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[secretofdreams]

Dlink ist zu langsam bei der weiterentwicklung der Firmware

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Dlink is too slow in developing firmware

[fordem]

That is a matter of opinion - in the days before flash memory (I guess I'm showing my age here), when a firmware upgrade meant replacing an EPROM, firmware updates were thoroughly tested to ensure they were as free of bugs as they could be made, because fixing any bugs  meant shipping new chips and dispatching a technician to replace them - today everyone expects new firmware with new features every few months.

Guess what - you bought the device with the features available at the time you bought it - you're not entitled to new features and if you want those they should come at a price.

Firmware updates should be reserved for fixing problems and frequent fixes are an indication of excessive problems.

[mihies]

One example: the problem when fan goes nuts with C1/hd sleep combination has been around for months if not years, yet D-Link didn't fix it.

IMO what is happening here is that D-Link focuses on adding a ton of more or less useless features but not fixing such annoying problems (first). That'd be my impression.

[secretofdreams]

@fordem
new firmware the same bugs
and 1 year dev... time

[JavaLawyer]

Well. . . it looks like these days D-Link is focusing it's resources on new and replacement product lines (e.g. DNS-320, DNS-325, Boxee, etc.) rather than legacy systems.

[dosborne]

Buyer Beware - If the product doesn't do what you want/need it to before you buy it, then don't buy it. Do a little research, google it, see what people think before spending your money.

IMO - There isn't anything wrong with this unit that I could not "fix" either by a firmware update or by a script. It serves my purposes 100%, so much that 3 months after buying the first, I bought a second one and am now (1.5 years later) considering a third. This is obviously not the case for everyone as others use theirs differently with different applications.

I have purchsed considerably most expensive devices in the past and receive no (or very few) updates to either resolve issues or add features. DLink and the DNS323 (and the openess of the product) have provided updates and flexibility all at no additional cost. Some compaines charge heavily for software/firmware updates or require maintenance fees. Every time an update comes out, I look at it as a "bonus".

[JavaLawyer]

DLink and the DNS323 (and the openess of the product) have provided updates and flexibility all at no additional cost. Some compaines charge heavily for software/firmware updates or require maintenance fees. Every time an update comes out, I look at it as a "bonus".

I agree with you in principle, but not in practice. A growing trend with many mainstream manufacturers is to knowingly release unpolished products to beat competition to market; maintain competitive edge; capitalize on holiday shopping; and recoup R&D as quickly as possible, to name a few reasons. Early adopters of software-inclusive technologies are often the first to encounter issues, and manufacturers retroactively provide software-based fixes.  As such, post-consumer support is considered by many as an "expectation" or "entitlement" rather than a "bonus".

I neither support nor oppose this approach, it's just the way things are. I agree with your first point, which is "buyer beware". Consumers should conduct due diligence before finalizing their purchase, knowing that early adoption sometimes comes with a cost.

[dosborne]

Over the last 30 years, I have probably collected around 50 devices that can be flash updated. Other than 2 exceptions (the DNS323 and the WD TV Live unit) I've been lucky if there have been any updates at all, although about a third have had 1-3 updates available. In every case though, I've researched to ensure the functionality I need works prior to purchase. Only the 2 units mentioned have had 4 or more updates. Given when the DNS323 was first released, the fact there is a newer model available, and the purchase price, I really do consider it a bonus at this point if anything useful is added and/or bugs are fixed.

[JavaLawyer]

Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree with you regarding thoroughly researching functionality vs. need prior to purchase.  I've probably accumulated a similar number of devices over the years, but when I reflect back to the subset of recent devices I've owned that were dependent upon complex GUI-based software required for functionality (e.g. smartphones, NAS's, routers, Netgear media player, Logitech universal remote, game consoles), all of these devices had regular/semi-regular no-cost post-consumer firmware/software updates.  I think consumers have come to expect this level of support from such devices.  The problem is that even after a product goes EOL, many consumers expect the firmware updates to continue indefinitely.

[mihies]

I'd expect bug fixes for sure, but even those are not fixed.

[dosborne]

..... Logitech universal remote.....

Do you have the 880? I recall only one firmware update on this unit. In 3 years, they haven't fixed the bug where you cannot set the date/time on the remote to any PM value. This would seem extremely easy to fix. Either give an AM/PM option or extend the selection range 0-12 to 0-23.

I'm not trying to be arguementative, just pointing out my experiences.

Personally, I disagree with the expectations that you feel is common. I do wholeheartedly feel that bugs should be fixed, but I have no expecations of new features. Even something like AFT support I feel is a bonus. They can't predict the future. My motherboard manufacturer didn't have SATA ports so I didn't expect them to sort that out with a firmware update either I had to buy a new motherboard.

Anything advertised should work or be fixed in a reasonable timeframe. These should be completed before new features are added.

At least in this case, as I've mentioned before, in my case any issues I've had could be handled by 3rd party fixes. With some other products, this was also the case, but I have lots of hardware sitting idle as it is no longer usable, or optimal.

[JavaLawyer]

Do you have the 880?

I have the Harmony One.  Logitech has been fairly good about maintaining the firmware and companion software over the years. The product has performed consistently and reliably, so there's not a heck of a lot to update, but Logitech has done their job correcting issues and maintaining the product IR database.  

I agree with you on unforeseen advances in technology. Three years ago who would have thought hard drives would surpass the 3TB threshold and SSDs would threaten the longevity of mechanical drives? Owners shouldn't reasonably expect hardware founded on legacy technology to support new (and often unforeseen) standards and advances. Nonetheless, I believe these types of radical updates should be distinguished from easy-to-fix issues that existed during a product's launch that impede the product's stated functionality and "fitness for a particular purpose" (to use the legal jargon) - IMHO. 

I don't take your opinions as argumentative.  There's nothing wrong with a healthy debate.  

[fordem]

dosbourne - I'm just being curious here - what's your location?  Country alone would be enough of an answer.

Your philosophy on researching the suitability of the product to meet one's needs is surprisingly rare in certain countries, typically those with strong consumer advocacy groups who have managed to establish a policy where the consumer has the right to return a product no questions asked, and get his/her money back - it's those of us who grew up having to live with what we buy that usually take that approach.

[JavaLawyer]

fordem - You present an interesting perspective. In the U.S., particularly in major Northeastern cities and affluent regions, there is a general sense of entitlement (in many regards) engrained in the local culture. Not to disparage my own profession, but these days it seems like every dispute is shrouded in a legal action due to perceived (and often misplaced) entitlement.

I'm not sure how we drifted from the DNS series to this topic...but here we are.  

[dosborne]

dosbourne - I'm just being curious here - what's your location?  Country alone would be enough of an answer.

Ottawa, Canada

My main driving force here is the price. For $150 I consider the unit "throwaway". It serves its purpose. If I need something that does more becuase some new fangled tech has come out, I'd buy something else to supplement or replace.