» Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:33 pm And go here
I'm not saying this is the answer, but I think its a decent stab at starting something to make companies listen to consumers. I would be happy with the government saying if a game/software is released and within 2/3 months of release a major bug is discovered consumers have the right to return for a full refund up to 12 months after purchase. Or something to that effect. It might be you can do that already........
They make millions and release sub standard products, its got to change
This year's software release in the build up to Christmas has been busy
again. Another tradition which has continued this year has been the
release of titles which contain major software bugs. As with any product
consumers should be confident when purchasing it has been thoroughly
tested. Initially I'm suggesting that software developers & their
publishers have to sign & agree to a software development policy which
would essentially act as a license to release software in the UK.
This policy should explicably state what standards should be adhered to
when producing software and where it is found that developers/producers
have broken these standards trading standards or another suitable
government body should be granted the power to issue fines and/or
customer compensation These Standards should include but not be limited
too
* A proportionate number of hours test vs. time to develop
* Where the software has an online element an estimate of
forecasted user uptake and evidence should be available on request of
appropriate stress testing
* Where bugs are missed in testing and subsequently released and
indentified by consumers companies should immediately issue an estimate
of the fix to be released. A penalty structure should be in place to
ensure that developers met these estimates within an agreed tolerance
* Companies should ensure that all users whether connected to the
Internet or not are able to access the updates which correct significant
software issues
* Companies should ensure that they have appropriate
infrastructure to keep consumers updated on progress
* Where companies utilise a website, such websites should display
a predefined number of their latest releases with an indicator on
whether there is a software problem associated
This list is not definitive and should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Implementing these regulations would ensure that consumers in the UK
have confidence when they purchase any kind of software or devices which
rely on firmware to function as designed. It would also protect
companies from consumers returning products en-mass where problems have
been identified post release as consumers would know that all companies
have to adhere to the same regulations.
again. Another tradition which has continued this year has been the
release of titles which contain major software bugs. As with any product
consumers should be confident when purchasing it has been thoroughly
tested. Initially I'm suggesting that software developers & their
publishers have to sign & agree to a software development policy which
would essentially act as a license to release software in the UK.
This policy should explicably state what standards should be adhered to
when producing software and where it is found that developers/producers
have broken these standards trading standards or another suitable
government body should be granted the power to issue fines and/or
customer compensation These Standards should include but not be limited
too
* A proportionate number of hours test vs. time to develop
* Where the software has an online element an estimate of
forecasted user uptake and evidence should be available on request of
appropriate stress testing
* Where bugs are missed in testing and subsequently released and
indentified by consumers companies should immediately issue an estimate
of the fix to be released. A penalty structure should be in place to
ensure that developers met these estimates within an agreed tolerance
* Companies should ensure that all users whether connected to the
Internet or not are able to access the updates which correct significant
software issues
* Companies should ensure that they have appropriate
infrastructure to keep consumers updated on progress
* Where companies utilise a website, such websites should display
a predefined number of their latest releases with an indicator on
whether there is a software problem associated
This list is not definitive and should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Implementing these regulations would ensure that consumers in the UK
have confidence when they purchase any kind of software or devices which
rely on firmware to function as designed. It would also protect
companies from consumers returning products en-mass where problems have
been identified post release as consumers would know that all companies
have to adhere to the same regulations.
