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Turning Complaints into $ — Parallax Forums

Turning Complaints into $

rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
edited 2012-08-06 20:15 in General Discussion
There have always been complaints and there always will be. I rather imagine that when man first invented the wheel, there were complaints that it wasn't square enough.

There is a constant desire for more information, delivered in more digestible pieces, found in more accessible places. Searching seems to be part of everyone's daily routine.

I need an Object for my Propeller program... where did I put it? I renamed it... what did I rename it? Where did I get it... was it a post on the forum or a submission to the OBEX.
Did I have to tweak it... or did it work just fine?

There is no answer. I don't know and I can't remember enough to help myself.

What can Parallax do to solve my problem?

How about a developer's license?

In return for the exchange of a few dollars, I would get a CD every so often,,, and on this CD there would be a newsletter, the complete contents of the forum, the old OBEX, the new Obex, inside office rumors, and my own
washable Propeller tattoo.

How bout it?

Money for Parallax, work for an intern, and a valid reason to check my mailbox.

Rich

Comments

  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 07:22
    Rich

    That is a fabulous idea... but I want it delivered by DHL, I want to pay for it with PayPal. And I want to be able to change my address every two weeks. I don't want a CD... I want a bluetooth dongle. And I want it in every language that ever existed.
    I want it updated every three days. And I want it in 3D.

    Thanks

    Rich
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 07:32
    Rich,

    Does this mean that I could become a certified Propeller developer... sort of like MicroSoft Certification?
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2012-08-06 07:34
    I want my subsciption on Kansas City Standard tape please.

    Thanks,

    C.W.
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 07:36
    Rich,

    Good question. Unfortunately, the answer is probably "no."

    Parallax could give you a note saying that you are "certifiable," meaning that if someone gave a test, you would probably pass it.

    Rich
  • Martin HodgeMartin Hodge Posts: 1,246
    edited 2012-08-06 07:37
    pie <
    > turtles.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2012-08-06 07:42
    A couple options.. Because I never turn down opportunity.

    Since there is only one customer requesting this, I'd be happy to create said CD with copy of obex, parallax rumors, and highlights for the forums.
    Starting price is $500.00 with a subscription which is on auto-renew through Paypal. Now if two of you are found we could reduced this month subscription to $250.00, 3 for.. and so on.

    Here's a better idea.
    • Subscribe to the Parallaxian. It's sometimes good for the rumor stuff and it's free.
    • Grab a copy of WGET for windows. It's a command-line tool that will let you suck out a copy of the object exchange on a monthly basis. (or sooner if desired)
    • as for the forums.. It will be nice to see you here more often Rich. :)
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2012-08-06 07:47
    Turning complaints into $$$ Simply charge for complaints. Win/win.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-08-06 08:07
    There could be certified hardware developers too. Each Hardware Developer would need to submit their hardware for review so it could earn a little Propeller Beanie before it could be connected to a Propeller board (the boards would be certified also).....never mind, nobody would fall for a scam like that!
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 08:22
    So, following Martin's suggestion. I googled pie<____>turtles

    Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

    Chocolate Turtle Pie

    baked and cooled 9 inch pie shell
    1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
    3/4 cup pecan halves
    1 chocolate pudding mix (4 serving size)
    1 3/4 cups milk
    1 container Cool Whip Topping

    Pour ice cream topping into pie shell; you may have to tilt the shell around so the topping spreads evenly .
    Arrange pecans on the topping and chill 15-20 minutes .
    While chilling, combine pie filling mix and milk in a saucepan; blend well .
    Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil .
    Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes , stirring twice .
    Pour over nuts in pie shell.
    Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 3 hours .
    Serve with a dollop of cool whip on top .
    This is also good if you stir 1-2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips into the pudding once cooled and before spreading it over the pecans .

    Sounds complicated...
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-08-06 08:35
    I WILL pay money to become a "Certified Chocolate Turtle Pie Tester". The training sounds strenuous but I'll take one for the team!
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-08-06 14:15
    [QUOTE=rjo__;1115871

    In return for the exchange of a few dollars, I would get a CD every so often,,, and on this CD there would be a newsletter, the complete contents of the forum, the old OBEX, the new Obex, inside office rumors, and my own
    washable Propeller tattoo.

    Rich[/QUOTE]

    So, Here is my question. Why would I pay for a CD that has info on it that I can search for on the good ol Internet and create a shortcut to it? I do this ALL the time. My Internet favorites are broken down to directories with names of specific items. IE: Robotics, Parallax(Inside Parallax goes various sub directories for different topics, shortcuts, etc.) The world has changed and who wants to try and remember "where did I put that CD and what is on it???" A thumb drive would be a more likely choice with a download link that could be saved to it. That in mind, instead of the CD idea, create a website and put everything in specific locations for easy browsing and downloading. Oh, wait, that has already been done!!!
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 17:01
    on the serious side:)

    I am a Mac user. If I had a correctly structured CD, I could do advanced searches that actually work. If I wanted every object or post that contains a NOP instruction, written before 2008, I could find it.

    For amateurs, this really isn't important. We can always ask a question and get more than enough info back. For professional developers, who wants to use their own search tools and who really don't want to
    talk to anyone, this might be important.

    For certain developers, if they have to ask a question... they aren't going to bother; they will go somewhere else.

    I would like to see my purchases from Parallax, underwritten by major companies, using Parallax products:)
    Parallax produces the best micro-controller in the world, and the information flowing out of and through Parallax is absolutely staggering.

    Information is valuable and isn't always free.


    Rich
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-08-06 19:05
    A CD without an adequate search facility is no better than a website without an adequate search facility. So I don't see how having a CD-based repository would help one iota. Why would anyone waste time writing a search function for a CD when the web is the absolute best medium for the most up-to-date objects? The same amount of effort on a search facility for the web will help way more users than one for a CD. Plus, it costs money to produce and mail out CDs, and they're obsolete the day after they're produced. The idea's a non-starter, IMO.

    -Phil
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 19:12
    I don't know... maybe if I knew more or tried harder:(
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 19:25
    Phil,

    Hold on right here. Are you saying that you can provide a reference to every instance of a NOP instruction published before 2008 in either the OBEX or the forum?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-06 19:31
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    The idea's a non-starter, IMO.

    +1. Let's move on.
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 19:36
    I agree... it was a non-starter 5 years ago, when I first mentioned it:)
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-08-06 19:37
    rjo__ wrote:
    Are you saying that you can provide a reference to every instance of a NOP instruction published before 2008 in either the OBEX or the forum?

    That question is a total red herring, since what we're discussing is the best a website can offer (not the OBEX or the forum) vs. the best a CD can offer. A properly-designed website wins hands-down. Besides, the example search you cite is ridiculous.

    -Phil
  • rjo__rjo__ Posts: 2,114
    edited 2012-08-06 20:15
    It isn't ridiculous... it is a worst case. I can do it on a mac. It doesn't replace the need for a forum or the need to restructure the OBEX. That has already been decided. Even if the info was available on a CD, the vast majority wouldn't buy it:)
    And I wouldn't try to set parameters for a website based upon what can be done if the information is already in house on a CD. The point I was making is that if there is one major corporate customer that uses information as a criteria for selecting
    the Propeller over something else, then it might be worth the effort. Don't know. Assets are always limited. Business is business.
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