Ultrasound Daily Digest Wed, 24 Feb 93 Volume 2 : Issue 52 Today's Topics: Getting responses from companies PARTIAL DEVELOPERS LIST SbOS Space Quest V -- time to boycott Sierra Information about the UltraSound Daily Digest (such as mail addresses, request servers, ftp sites, etc., etc.) can be found at the end of the Digest. *** HEY!!! *** Before you ask a question, *** READ THE FAQ ***. It's available on the request server and the ftp sites, or check the newsgroup archives. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1993 12:09:31 -0500 (EST) From: treason@gnu.ai.mit.edu Message-Id: <9302231709.AA05268@spiff.gnu.ai.mit.edu> Subject: Getting responses from companies To: Ultrasound Daily Digest This has nothing to dowith Gravis in particualer, but after reading the post made by another angry support 'developer', I think it might help. The method I use to get information from companies about support issues works best when I perform in this manner: First I call and ask who carries the support issue. I also find out their mailing address and such. I talk to this person about the support I 'expect' to have and then hang up...when left here or returning other calls I have NEVER received word one. The next step is to write the support crew a nice letter about how you would like the upgrades, or information on cost of upgrades, and information on availablility of said upgrades, release dates, etc. I have gotten some responses this way, but generally about 15% or my requests are answered. I then mail a second letter a little more pointed after about 1 to 2 weeks later. This generally gives me a response of about 30%. IF this yet doesnt work, I write a third time after 1 - 2 weeks(you must wait this long, or I find they get aggrevated and toss your mail without readingit...I found this out from a friendly(NOT) support tech). This time the letter contains nasty attitudes(not vulgar, dont give them a reason to ignore you) about who you should contact to get a response, and that you will be calling again to get that information, since you arent getting through. This will get you about a 40% response, but you still MUST call to make a point (I do). After this point If there is no response, forget it, I have yet to receive a response after this point. I hope this helps, and yes, I know, its a long wait between the first call and the last letter, but sometimes (40% hah) its worth it. You spend a maximum of 2 long distance phone calls, and 3 stamps. I know this is too much to pay for information or a 'FREE' upgrade, but if you want it, these days you have to fight for it. treason@gnu PS. The main point is to show thw support crew that you are more tenacious than they can be. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 11:08:49 From: john.smith@gravis.com Message-Id: <9302231108.A5063wk@gravis.com> Subject: PARTIAL DEVELOPERS LIST To: Ultrasound Daily Digest Partial Developers List This is a partial list of companies who have the Gravis UltraSound developers kit. Included is their voice telephone number and fax number if known. This document is being made available to you as a REFERENCE ONLY. Company Name Voice Tel. # Fax Tel. # --------------------------------------------------------- Access Software 801-359-2900 801-359-2968 Accolade 408-985-1700 408-246-1053 Activision 310-207-4500 310-820-6131 Amaze Inc. 206-820-7007 Animotion Graphics 205-591-5715 205-591-5716 Apogee Software 214-240-0614 214-278-4670 Asymetrix 206-637-1542 206-637-1542 Autodesk Inc. 415-332-2344 415-289-4750 Azeroth Inc. 206-392-9941 206-391-7812 Bethesda Softworks 301-963-2000 301-926-8010 Borland 408-438-4701 408-438-8696 Broderbund 415-382-4400 415-382-4523 Cineplay 503-223-4449 503-223-8946 Compton's New Media 619-929-2500 619-929-2511 Davidson 310-793-0600 310-534-3169 Dr. T's Music Software 617-455-1454 617-455-1460 Electronic Arts 415-571-7171 415-571-7993 Gametek 305-935-3995 305-932-8651 Hollyware 310-822-9200 310-390-0457 Ibis Software 415-546-1917 415-546-0361 Icom Simulations 708-520-4440 708-459-3418 Impressions 203-676-9002 203-676-9454 Interplay 714-553-6655 714-252-2820 Kesmai Corporation 804-979-0111 804-979-5428 Knowledge Adventure 818-542-4200 818-542-4205 Legend 703-222-8500 703-968-5151 LuscasFilm Games 415-721-3300 415-721-3342 Macro Media Inc. 415-442-0200 415-442-0190 Maxis 510-254-9700 510-253-3736 Mecc 612-569-1500 612-569-1551 Micrografx, Inc. 215-234-1769 215-234-2603 Microprose 410-771-6711 410-771-1174 Mindcraft Software Inc. 310-320-5214 310-320-1522 New World Computing 818-999-0606 818-593-3455 NovaLogic 818-774-0600 818-774-0684 Odyssey Software Inc. 508-240-2317 508-686-9288 Origin 512-335-5200 512-328-3825 Psygnosis 617-731-3553 617-731-8379 QQP 908-788-2799 908-788-7684 ReadySoft 416-731-4175 416-764-8867 SSI 408-737-6800 408-737-6814 SCO 408-425-7222 408-458-4227 Sierra On-Line 209-683-4468 209-683-3633 Sir-Tech Software Inc. 315-393-6451 315-393-1525 Spectrum Holobyte 510-522-3584 510-522-3587 The Bruce Artwick 217-656-9796 217-356-7895 The Learning Company 415-792-2101 The Software Toolworks 415-883-3000 415-883-3303 Three-Sixty Pacific, Inc. 408-879-9144 408-879-9739 Virgin Games 714-833-7810 714-833-8717 Walt Disney 818-567-0284 818-973-4160 Westwood Associates 702-368-4850 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 11:14:47 EST From: jagati1@SERVER.uwindsor.ca (JAGATIC JASON ) Message-Id: <9302231614.AA16584@SERVER.uwindsor.ca> Subject: SbOS To: Ultrasound Daily Digest I have been wondering something lately. Many users have been complaining about SBOS and how it doesn't work with many programs. Also, I have noticed that there are alot of expert programmers that use and support a GUS. Now, why doesn't someone try to develop a third-party version of SBOS, one that doesn't have the same limitations of the original SBOS? Possibly one that would even support the SBPro? I know this is a tall order, but it is just a recomendation and suggestion. If I could do the programming myself, I would but I can't so I wont... Isn't there anyone out there that might wish to tackle this problem? Is it even feasible? Jay. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 18:06:15 PST From: biggles@berlioz.nsc.com (Winston Worrell) Message-Id: <9302240206.AA12169@berlioz.nsc.com> Subject: Space Quest V -- time to boycott Sierra To: Ultrasound Daily Digest I purchased SQ V: The Next Mutation, and I fired up my trusty 486/33 with the Opti Chip set, the Adaptec 1522 controller, and SBOS v1.23. I installed it as a SoundDisaster card (even tho their auto config didn't detect a sound card). The opening creditswent by with the introduction etc and then when it was time to quit the simulator, the machine just hung and played daft music for ten minutes (ok five). I hit every key on the board and tried weird combinations -- since I wasn't sure if this was part of the game or not -- ie "How do I get out of the simulator", and eventually settled on a reboot. After going thru this a couple of times, I called the tech hot line (atleast its 24hrs) and I was told that there is known problem with their SoundDisaster drivers and if I used Adlib mode on my sound card it would be fine. I asked if they were going to send out a patch fix and he siad "No". I promptly returned the game Monday, not because the game was bad, but because of the lack of real support on the sound card. The box said SoundBlaster, if it had said Adlib, I wouldn't complain, but it said SoundBlaster and they weren't going to fix it. Where I was born that's called false advertising. 1: So much for Sierra's high and mighty attitude in terms of sound card support if they can't even get the SD mode working. 2: Whoever did their card drivers should be shot. 3: 24 hour hint line. I called it. Went thru the 45 sec menu, SQ V wasn't on it. So I was out 2 phone calls. (I really hate that). Anyway, be warned. ------------------------------ End of Ultrasound Daily Digest V2 #52 ******************************