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Upgrade on CD

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wrong wrong wrong

The previous D7 firmware updates were all bug fixes. The camera continued to work according to the original factory and users manual specs.

The new possible release is a major functionality update to include features only found on another product (the D7i). New firmware, new specs, new camera, pay the freight.

Your comparison to Nikon and Canon is comletely false. NO OTHER digital camera maker has released a firmware change of the scope that Minolta is proposing to do with the summer/autumn firmeare cd-rom.

In any case, you are advocating theft.
wonton said:
wonton
Erik Wagenaar said:
wonton said:
Well, can you tell me if there is another company charging a
firmware update for a digital camera?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
---Warning------stepping on soapbox---

For product enhancements, new features, and improved performance of basically a very good product to begin with, I'm very happy to fork over $50 to acquire these improvements, and thankful for the opportunity.

This is VERY different from bug fixes, which should be free of charge - and Minolta has provided these to-date.

I think Minolta is wise in supporting those D7 owners (and hopefully soon other model owners) who have purchase and supported their product. We should 'repay' Minolta's investment in us and not spread/steal the software for the enhancements - or it will be the last time any manufacturer supports their product in this way.

---off soapbox------
 
Amen.

Jim Weaver
CoinRoller said:
---Warning------stepping on soapbox---

For product enhancements, new features, and improved performance of
basically a very good product to begin with, I'm very happy to fork
over $50 to acquire these improvements, and thankful for the
opportunity.

This is VERY different from bug fixes, which should be free of
charge - and Minolta has provided these to-date.

I think Minolta is wise in supporting those D7 owners (and
hopefully soon other model owners) who have purchase and supported
their product. We should 'repay' Minolta's investment in us and
not spread/steal the software for the enhancements - or it will be
the last time any manufacturer supports their product in this way.

---off soapbox------
Click to expand...
 
---------What could go horribly wrong, I hate to have to send my camera back after I have just paid for an upgrade!
 
wonton said:
Let's spread it around the net!

This is the first time I know of any company charging a fee for the
firmware update to fix the problems of its digital camera. They
should have the new firmware and the new DIVU on their website
available for download by us who paid good money for their products.
Click to expand...
This firmware is NOT to fix BUGS, it's ADDING NEW FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES to the camera! Big difference!

So if you're too cheap to pay the price, then don't get the upgrade! Simple enough eh?
--
Sincerely, Bob the Printer
 
CoinRoller said:
I think Minolta is wise in supporting those D7 owners (and
hopefully soon other model owners) who have purchase and supported
their product. We should 'repay' Minolta's investment in us and
not spread/steal the software for the enhancements - or it will be
the last time any manufacturer supports their product in this way.
Click to expand...
AMEN!!!
--
Sincerely, Bob the Printer
 
I think you're perhaps being a bit too harsh.

I agree that Minolta are to be applauded for making it possible for users to upgrade the Dimage 7 to almost the same spec as its successor. However, I can sympathise with Bill. As a new Dimage 7 user, reading this and other forums, when the upgrade was first described I thought it fixed many of the shortcomings that had been moaned about in the forums and so I felt it should be a free upgrade to bring the 7 up to its expected performance. I think quite a few people think the firmware upgrade is to fix things rather than, in this case, to enhance.

Having used the 7 now for about 2 months, I'm more than happy with its performance and I haven't found that any of the reported shortcomings were things that I would have had an issue with if I hadn't read about them after purchase.

I can't believe my luck that I've bought a product that's supported so well by its manufacturer.

Now, how do you buy this upgrade in the UK ....

Dave
George Eliott said:
Bill Hulsey said:
I don't want to sound cheap but why should I have to pay for
upgrade when I have owned camera only 2 months. This should be
covered under warranty.

Bill
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Relax a second will you? sheesh. It's not like it's just fixes in this upgrade it also adds alot of new features. I'm sure it costs Minolta $$$ to have the software and development team to add all these features we've been clamoring for these past few months. I'll have no problem paying for the firmware upgrade. At least they don't force you to buy the new divu with it also.

-Mike
wonton said:
This is the first time I know of any company charging a fee for the
firmware update to fix the problems of its digital camera. They
should have the new firmware and the new DIVU on their website
available for download by us who paid good money for their products.

wonton
Pete Vickers said:
I see with joy that the upgrade will be available on CD

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/minolta_06172002_pr.html

That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the
carmera in to Minolta. The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it
around on the net, we might need Minolta to add/fix more things in
the future. They have priced it right and I for one think we should
pay up.
--
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Geir Ove said:
I think it is Admirable that Minolta does this: I haven't seen any
other Camera manufacturer doing it: I have had Canon's and Nikon's
with bugs but no upgrade. Minolta fixes problems and offers a
wealth of enhancements to lengthen the life and satisfaction with
the camera. They certainly bought my loyalty for some time to come
:-)

Geir Ove
Pete Vickers said:
I see with joy that the upgrade will be available on CD

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/minolta_06172002_pr.html

That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the
carmera in to Minolta. The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it
around on the net, we might need Minolta to add/fix more things in
the future. They have priced it right and I for one think we should
pay up.
--
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
CoinRoller said:
---Warning------stepping on soapbox---

For product enhancements, new features, and improved performance of
basically a very good product to begin with, I'm very happy to fork
over $50 to acquire these improvements, and thankful for the
opportunity.

This is VERY different from bug fixes, which should be free of
charge - and Minolta has provided these to-date.

I think Minolta is wise in supporting those D7 owners (and
hopefully soon other model owners) who have purchase and supported
their product. We should 'repay' Minolta's investment in us and
not spread/steal the software for the enhancements - or it will be
the last time any manufacturer supports their product in this way.

---off soapbox------

Here, here!
Click to expand...
--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com
 
"That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the carmera in to Minolta.

The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it around on the net,...."

Above was a quotation from the original poster, and I wrote as a reply "Let's spread it around the net!" How did I propose theft in such a reply? The CD is not even here yet, what am I propose to spread it around the net?

My Window XP just crashed and this charging of new firmware sure remind me of the "upgrade" of Window and all the promises of "stable operating system."

By the way, who mention Nikon?

wonton
newsposter said:
The previous D7 firmware updates were all bug fixes. The camera
continued to work according to the original factory and users
manual specs.

The new possible release is a major functionality update to include
features only found on another product (the D7i). New firmware,
new specs, new camera, pay the freight.

Your comparison to Nikon and Canon is comletely false. NO OTHER
digital camera maker has released a firmware change of the scope
that Minolta is proposing to do with the summer/autumn firmeare
cd-rom.

In any case, you are advocating theft.
wonton said:
wonton
Erik Wagenaar said:
wonton said:
Well, can you tell me if there is another company charging a
firmware update for a digital camera?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
It's quite simple. It's Licenesed software - therefore anyone who posts it or emails it to someone else is comitting a crime. Also, looking at it from a more practical note, this is a small cost compared to upgrading to a new camera (D7i) while getting a lot of the functionality that has been included in the D7i.

If we buy the softwar then it will encourage Minolta to keep developing the D7 as well as the D7i, so we will possibly get more enhancements in the future. I think it's an entirely fair way of doing business, we get a lot for a small cost.

Regards

Andy
wonton said:
The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it around on the net,...."

Above was a quotation from the original poster, and I wrote as a
reply "Let's spread it around the net!" How did I propose theft in
such a reply? The CD is not even here yet, what am I propose to
spread it around the net?

My Window XP just crashed and this charging of new firmware sure
remind me of the "upgrade" of Window and all the promises of
"stable operating system."

By the way, who mention Nikon?

wonton
newsposter said:
The previous D7 firmware updates were all bug fixes. The camera
continued to work according to the original factory and users
manual specs.

The new possible release is a major functionality update to include
features only found on another product (the D7i). New firmware,
new specs, new camera, pay the freight.

Your comparison to Nikon and Canon is comletely false. NO OTHER
digital camera maker has released a firmware change of the scope
that Minolta is proposing to do with the summer/autumn firmeare
cd-rom.

In any case, you are advocating theft.
wonton said:
wonton
Erik Wagenaar said:
wonton said:
Well, can you tell me if there is another company charging a
firmware update for a digital camera?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Minolta, cares about us? the support us and their product? Am I happy that the firmware is coming out? yes I will probably buy it. But what I think about it is that minolta is milking us out, I cannot see why so many people are so happy with this update. well actually I can see why they are happy because they get a better camera, but minolta is still milking us out. Why could they not create the camera to match the performance of the electronics to start with? Maybe the reason why no other manufacturer has done this is because they matched their software with the capabilities of the hardware? I am wondering if Minolta planned this all along I just hope that we will not see superior cameras with inferior software just so they can come out with a new update and can charge people money for it to make a bit more money. And not only will the customer pay but they will be soooo happy that their company supports them and gives the these updates. Now dont get me wrong I will probably end up paying for it, but I will not praise them for doing this. This to me is the xbox and dvd player idea. You buy an xbox and you have to pay extra to use its full capability.
CoinRoller said:
---Warning------stepping on soapbox---

For product enhancements, new features, and improved performance of
basically a very good product to begin with, I'm very happy to fork
over $50 to acquire these improvements, and thankful for the
opportunity.

This is VERY different from bug fixes, which should be free of
charge - and Minolta has provided these to-date.

I think Minolta is wise in supporting those D7 owners (and
hopefully soon other model owners) who have purchase and supported
their product. We should 'repay' Minolta's investment in us and
not spread/steal the software for the enhancements - or it will be
the last time any manufacturer supports their product in this way.

---off soapbox------
Click to expand...
 
you wait for the 7i..............

you bought your D7 knowing full well that that the 7i was going to be available shortly.

if something should be improved for the 7i, and is made available by CD, i'd gladly pay for it, but if people start cheating them out of there rights, they certainly will probably do as the rest of the camera companies and let you buy a whole new camera.
Geeeez.........quit whinin, and don't spoil it for all the rest.
Bill Hulsey said:
Pete Vickers said:
I see with joy that the upgrade will be available on CD

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/minolta_06172002_pr.html

That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the
carmera in to Minolta. The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it
around on the net, we might need Minolta to add/fix more things in
the future. They have priced it right and I for one think we should
pay up.
--
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
Click to expand...
I don't want to sound cheap but why should I have to pay for
upgrade when I have owned camera only 2 months. This should be
covered under warranty.

Bill
Click to expand...
 
Airnee said:
Why could they not
create the camera to match the performance of the electronics to
start with?
Click to expand...
Why does software run so slowly on your PC or Mac?

It doesn't exploit the hardware anything like 100% for most users
most of the time.

And come to think of it why was I able to upgrade the software
on my PC to new versions of software -- was this a plot or conspiracy
designed years ago to hobble the software?

The D7 is after all a system that runs an operating system and an
application. Just like a PC the application is being upgraded.
Airnee said:
Maybe the reason why no other manufacturer has done
this is because they matched their software with the capabilities
of the hardware?
Click to expand...
Possibly -- but it looks like Oly managed to use most of the E-10
core to make the E-20.

The trick to optimal design is to get the product minimalised to the
point where it sits on a knif edge between success and failure but
stays the right side of that edge. This is easier on simple products.
Most complex multitasking software products have a reasonable
amount of headroom.
Airnee said:
I am wondering if Minolta planned this all along
I just hope that we will not see superior cameras with inferior
software just so they can come out with a new update and can charge
people money for it to make a bit more money.
Click to expand...
Who cares? Seriously.

You have a choice to buy a product or not buy. You have a choice
to upgrade or not upgrade (if offered). The manufacturer can deliver
the product in any viable way they like.

--
---------------
Andrew.
 
guess you need to decide if a product's weak points are actually faults or just weaknesses.

how many companies would make you buy a whole new camera?
wonton said:
This is the first time I know of any company charging a fee for the
firmware update to fix the problems of its digital camera. They
should have the new firmware and the new DIVU on their website
available for download by us who paid good money for their products.

wonton
Pete Vickers said:
I see with joy that the upgrade will be available on CD

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/minolta_06172002_pr.html

That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the
carmera in to Minolta. The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it
around on the net, we might need Minolta to add/fix more things in
the future. They have priced it right and I for one think we should
pay up.
--
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
wonton said:
wonton
Geir Ove said:
Geir Ove
wonton said:
This is the first time I know of any company charging a fee for the
firmware update to fix the problems of its digital camera. They
should have the new firmware and the new DIVU on their website
available for download by us who paid good money for their products.

wonton
Pete Vickers said:
I see with joy that the upgrade will be available on CD

http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/minolta_06172002_pr.html

That good new for us all, I am sure nobody wanted to send the
carmera in to Minolta. The price looks OK too. Lets NOT spread it
around on the net, we might need Minolta to add/fix more things in
the future. They have priced it right and I for one think we should
pay up.
--
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Dmac----I have never had a Camera co offer to upgrade a camera for me
under any circumstance . The operative word is upgrade. Just so you
know, I never had a car co upgrade one for me.Dmac
 
wonton said:
Let's spread it around the net!

This is the first time I know of any company charging a fee for the
firmware update to fix the problems of its digital camera. They
should have the new firmware and the new DIVU on their website
available for download by us who paid good money for their products.

wonton

--What you have never heard of Microsoft charging for the latest release of Windows or Adobe charging for the upgrade to Photoshop 7. Come off it. Make no mistake this is an enhancement to the original spec of the camera NOT just a bug fix. Its taken time and effort to improve this excellent camera and like all software improvements its going to cost us a SMALL amount ot money to buy it just like any other software on your PC after a year there is normally an improved version released which most of use pay for because we want the extra "bells and whistles" it offers.
Click to expand...
Stop making out that MInolta are trying to con us and read some of the threads on the Nikon or Canon forums where they would willingly pay for on upgrade to their cameras instead to having to buy the new version.
Pete Vickers

http://www.pbase.com/petevickers
 
Andrew Cruickshank said:
Airnee said:
Why could they not
create the camera to match the performance of the electronics to
start with?
Click to expand...
Why does software run so slowly on your PC or Mac?

It doesn't exploit the hardware anything like 100% for most users
most of the time.

And come to think of it why was I able to upgrade the software
on my PC to new versions of software -- was this a plot or conspiracy
designed years ago to hobble the software?
Click to expand...
Yes it was...
Andrew Cruickshank said:
The D7 is after all a system that runs an operating system and an
application. Just like a PC the application is being upgraded.
Click to expand...
So you are saying that digital cameras should be just like computers? upgrade them all the time? buy patches and fixes? Well if we allow that to happen then it will be our fault that we will have to change or upgrade every year or so.
Andrew Cruickshank said:
Andrew Cruickshank said:
Maybe the reason why no other manufacturer has done
this is because they matched their software with the capabilities
of the hardware?
Click to expand...
Possibly -- but it looks like Oly managed to use most of the E-10
core to make the E-20.

The trick to optimal design is to get the product minimalised to the
point where it sits on a knif edge between success and failure but
stays the right side of that edge. This is easier on simple products.
Most complex multitasking software products have a reasonable
amount of headroom.
Andrew Cruickshank said:
I am wondering if Minolta planned this all along
I just hope that we will not see superior cameras with inferior
software just so they can come out with a new update and can charge
people money for it to make a bit more money.
Click to expand...
Who cares? Seriously.
Click to expand...
Apparently I do, I see a way for a camera company to take more money from us, and not only that they are managing for the consumer to thank them for it. You see the way I look at it is why could they not put all these features in the camera to begin with, and the way some people look at it is "hey this update will give me a new camera for only $50. Both have valid points in my opinion, like I said I will buy the upgrade myself, but I will not thank them and praise them for it.
Andrew Cruickshank said:
You have a choice to buy a product or not buy. You have a choice
to upgrade or not upgrade (if offered). The manufacturer can deliver
the product in any viable way they like.
Click to expand...
Yes we have a choice to buy and not to buy, BUT this update also improves on autofocus speed and some other minor things which should have come out as a free patch, not as a update that we have to pay for. After all some of the things are fixes to bugs. They are forcing us to pay for the basic stuff as well as the improvements, and that is just wrong... I would not complain if the autofocus and some other things were free and we would have to pay for real updates.

Just my thoughts...
Andrew Cruickshank said:
--
---------------
Andrew.
Click to expand...
 
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