bates@bison.DEC (Ken Bates DTN 522-2039) (04/13/85)
> >I would like to hear from anyone who has obtained the optional developers >support from MegaMax. What do you get for the $150, and did you feel that >it was worth it? So far I've had no problem getting answers to technical >questions over the phone without paying for the extra support. > I'm working on a project written in C, and since the state of the art phone service here in Colorado has not advanced beyond party lines out in the country (4 party line, no less!), I purchased Megamax C for my Mac. The plan was to develop software at home since it appears to be reasonably compatible with VAX-11C, loading to the VAX when the private line came in. (None of the people I share the party line with were pleased the first time I logged on via modem for a few hours). Since this was an 'official' project (e.g., the company paid for the software), I also got the optional developers package with it. All I can see is that I will get some 'free' updates when they come out. I received one of the first shipments of V2.0, and the sizer program was inadvertently left off. When I wrote to Megamax, they simply confirmed the omission, leaving me with the impression that I would have been better off forgetting the support package and waiting another week or so for shipment. I also reported a few bugs with the compiler, their response was that they would be fixed in the next release, reportedly due out in the June timeframe. On the other hand, the package does give you two free updates per year ($5 per after that). No telling what the charge would be otherwise. As for technical support, I called once, and received the usual (for Megamax) prompt and courteous response. I think they do that for anyone, so no gain there. My overall recommendation? If you are a business (or purchasing under the auspices of a business), go for it. For a critical project, $150 is cheap insurance. If it is strictly personnel, I think the $150 could be better spent elsewhere. The folks at Megamax have one of the best customer responses I have seen anywhere, and from what I can see, they do this regardless of whether or not you have the support package. - Ken Bates Work address: ARPAnet: BATES%BISON.DEC@decwrl.ARPA Easynet: BISON::BATES CompuServe: 70047,1226 Phone: (303) 594-2039 (DTN 522-2039) USPS: Ken Bates Digital Equipment Corp. 301 Rockrimmon Blvd. CX01-2/M26 Colorado Springs, CO 80919 [The above obviously represents only my own ravings, and not those of DEC]