tema ([info]tema) wrote in [info]optimus_project,
@ 2007-12-26 23:50:00
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This is the letter we've sent to our customers:

At the moment the first lot of Optimus Maximus keyboards has been produced, but unfortunately we cannot ship them due to the delays in developing firmware and software.

Here is the reason for the delay. We have chosen a Philips processor that fully satisfied all our requirements. But as it is new as a product for Philips, they still experience some problems with the processor and we are compelled to work with draft documentation.

Nevertheless, much of the work on firmware has been completed. The keyboard already has basic functionality—it can switch images displayed on the keys (within a single layout set by the user). For example, the images will change accordingly if you press Shift or Num Lock while typing.

If experience and patience is not a problem for you, we are ready to offer prompt delivery of Optimus Maximus. The fact is that easy update of firmware will be possible only as the next version appears. So before that replacing the current firmware version with the next one is likely to present certain difficulties. If you do not have professional skills you may run into troubles installing and updating software. That is why we mention experience and patience J.

Current available versions of firmware and software are for PCs. So it is out of reach for Mac users till the end of January unless they have friends with PCs.

We are going to have new versions of firmware and software available on our website, so eventually the keyboard will function as advertised and become even better.

If you are ready to spend your weekend nursing the keyboard and choose to have it now, please send us a confirmation and we will send you your Optimus Maximus.

If you can wait to receive your Optimus Maximus, we can offer to deliver it the end of February. We will be able to offer you the product meeting your and our expectations.


This means that hardware cycle is over, and we're ahead with it of the software part. Several brave customers already expressed their wish to hassle with yet-unfriendly device and they will receive it in the first week of January (or even earlier).

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[info]readeronly
2007-12-26 09:05 pm UTC (link)
That's a bad PM. Missing a critical go-live deadline for 3 months, that's just unacceptable for whatever reason including 3-rd party vendor fault. Any obstacles are understandable but not in case when you are taking pre-payments and promise the product around holidays.

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(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 02:57 am UTC (link)
The Bugatti Veyron (the fastest car in the world) was delayed by four years. I didn't hear anyone calling that bad project management. In fact, I didn't hear a squeak from anyone.

The fact of the matter is that a product like this (the amazing Optimus Maximus) has never been made before, and of course, one should expect delays. I wouldn't go so far as to call this bad project management. In fact, it's refreshing to have all the latest news posted here. It's a shame that other companies don't do the same; perhaps only then would most people realise what it takes to bring a product to market.

I look forward to getting my keyboard next year. It'll be awesome!!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 06:15 am UTC (link)
Maybe you just don't know a lot of Veyron owners.

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[info]pokh
2007-12-26 09:38 pm UTC (link)
thank you

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(Anonymous)
2007-12-26 11:19 pm UTC (link)
I was plesantly surprised to receive this email for a number of reasons.

Firstly, communication is the best way to maintain a good relationship with your customers, even when things don't go to plan. There's no point sugar-coating this, there is a delay and you are blaming someone else. In the perfect world people have a right to not be happy... BUT...

The fact is you pro-actively have written to us all, and given an option. In my book, that's far better than simply putting on the silent treatment as so many others would do.

Secondly, let's face it, things happen. I know what it's like to try to get something to fly and then at the end everything seems to want to try to stop it from becoming a reality.

You don't have unlimited resources, and even if you did I think that the perfectionist streak in you and your team that is apparent would probably delay the delivery of the Maximus even further!

Get it right, ship in February. I would rather get what you envisage as the Optimus Maximus rather than a product that falls short of the mark.

Bishop2K.

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Well played
[info]blackanode
2007-12-26 11:36 pm UTC (link)
Nice to give people the options to have it now, and have some troubles or wait and give a trouble free product. Nice to keep the customer in the know. Way to put it all out there, and tell the customers what is really going on.

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(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 12:28 am UTC (link)
BOX OPENINGS ON YOUTUBE!!

Let's get some box openings and first impressions and reviews on YouTube! Who'll be the first?

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[info]athensoh
2007-12-27 06:28 am UTC (link)
this letter is a good thing and delays happen, but I'd have given the text to a native speaker for proof-reading before sending it out. Some places sound really strange, unless it was meant like that.

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Two months don't matter...
(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 07:19 am UTC (link)
...when you've been waiting for years ;-)

Also, there's a Calvin and Hobbes strip for every situation; I think this series will help those who have pre-ordered:

http://dlazechk.dl.funpic.org/weekdaybeanie4.html
(check the next and previous pages too...)

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 12:37 pm UTC (link)
What about the price difference between USD and EUR?

1000USD (for the 47-key version) are about 700EUR and not 800EUR. I'm not THAT mentally defective to buy it at this EUR-price.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 02:20 pm UTC (link)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aru%3Aofficial&hs=2Wt&q=28099+rouble+in+eur&btnG=Search

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 09:28 pm UTC (link)
Thanks, I'm not paying in rubel...

http://www.google.at/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aru%3Aofficial&q=28099+rouble+in+us+dollar&btnG=Search&meta=

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 07:47 pm UTC (link)
It is nice to see the keyboard actually being shipped. You at Art Lebedev have proven thousands of people wrong by turning so-called vapourware into a real product.

Congratulations.


Join unofficial Art Lebedev Fanclub:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6101174499

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Hooray!
(Anonymous)
2007-12-27 08:59 pm UTC (link)
I have to wait anyway, wasn't quick enough for the first batch :-)
But the software isn't done yet, to what extent isn't it done yet?
Because i thought: "Hey, while i'm waiting for the keyboard, it would be cool if i could test-drive the software, maybe create some layouts and save them so when my keyboard arrives i can copy it all to the SD card and GO!"
Any chance of that happening?

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[info]187cm
2007-12-27 09:28 pm UTC (link)
So those who have ordered a keyboard in late November will have it at the same time as those who had already payed for it half a year ago. Nice :)
So actually what will be a bonus for the early-adopters?

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Wow, Honesty!
[info]carrot513
2007-12-28 04:04 am UTC (link)
The fact that you HONESTLY told us that the product has flaws and gave options to those who still want the hardware, is COMMENDABLE in my opinon.. I haven't met/talked to/worked for/ or even bought a product from a U.S. based company yet that gave me product info you have throughout the development cycle.

I say to all those who are upset by the delay to relax. Similar to a previous post; you took a concept turned it into a product, and are turning the keyboard industry upside down by doing something truly different. Anyone who works with bleeding edge equipment KNOWS that experience and PATIENCE is what it take to be part of something good. So have some patience.

As I have said before, THANK YOU.

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Optimus Tactus
(Anonymous)
2007-12-28 08:34 am UTC (link)
By the way, guys, have you seen this? :)
http://img.artlebedev.ru/everything/aspherical-asphyxia/optitact.jpg

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Optimus Tactus
(Anonymous)
2007-12-28 03:31 pm UTC (link)
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus-tactus/

http://www.artlebedev.ru/everything/optimus-tactus/

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2007-12-29 01:33 pm UTC (link)
I'm wandering, why aren't there more screens on the spacebar? Maybe three would be nice, the one is a bit lonely (and small for such a big key).

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[info]latexiron
2008-01-03 06:14 pm UTC (link)
I am somewhat disappointed that I paid the full asking price to you in August, was promised delivery at the start of December, heard absolutely nothing despite several emails asking where the product was until I received the email above on Christmas day.

As it's not going to be any use as a Christmas present now, can I have my money refunded please? I have asked for a refund in email too, but have had no reply to date.

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The software is Critical
(Anonymous)
2008-01-04 01:56 am UTC (link)
I'm concerned... while I didn't expect the firmware to be finished by now, I did think that the software was closer to complete. Creating an easy to use graphical configuration tool for a state machine (which is what the keyboard essentially is) is not a simple task, though at least it's a task that has been done before (unlike the keyboard, which is completely new territory). I don't think the first version of the software, even in two months, is going to be quite the smooth sailing I had hoped for.

I do have to admit that I did not pre-order the product, though I do have $1200 sitting in the bank, earmarked for an order as soon as it is shown to pass muster (by the time that happens, 2 or 3 months from now, I'll have the final $400 saved up). But for me, the software is just as important as the hardware... a fancy animating keyboard is next to useless if it's impossible to program. And, snazzy as it may be, just using someone else's pre-existing keyboard layouts isn't enough for me to put over $1500 down.

So the software is likely going to decide me. I already know I like the hardware... but the software is an unknown. I may have to wait for the second or third version.

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[info]nalim68
2008-01-29 01:14 pm UTC (link)
I have received the keyboard today. What a fantastic piece of technology!

Is it possible to download an alfa/beta version of the configuration tool to start to play with the keyboard? There is no software in the package I've received.

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(Anonymous)
2008-01-29 09:35 pm UTC (link)
Please contact support@artlebedev.com for this.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

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