1.03beta

Cool just checked the D/L pages & 1.03 beta is there.

#695 Mk2 BLUE&GRN&PUR 12Gig

I suppose since 1.03 is out in public beta, we're getting close to the release of the tuner. Any probable dates as to when this will be. Also, Tim or Rob, will the tuner be available on the Online Store as well as Car Toys when it comes out? If it's at Car Toys I would love to just run down and get it rather then get it online.

Thanks!

Damien Heiser

RioCar / empeg 12GB Blue Mark 2a SN: 120001043

Since there seems to be a lack of commentary so far about v1.03-beta3 I just thought I would say that everything seems OK so far for me. Good job beta testers.

-Kit

Just curious PaulH, do you link the latest beta software at the top of the page?

DiGNAN
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, etc.

A safe bet that we are getting closer. No date to post yet, unless Rob is feeling particularly gutsy... (though I doubt he'll be baited quite so easily)

With regards to Car Toys, eventually, you will be able to do that. Once production starts, I expect there will be a 1-2 week delta between our estore roll-out and the retail availability. Plan accordingly.

The 1.03 beta with the clock visual is working very well
But... Do I have to go to the US and walk into a store to
be able to buy one? Or... will Europe be a part of
the civilized world again soon?

Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II)

I am quite confident in stating that by the time the tuner ships there will be an international store online.

There, now I've tempted fate, so throw your worst at me

Rob

PS Both of the above events are fast approaching! (more fate temptation)

PS Both of the above events are fast approaching! (more fate temptation)

Rob, for your sake, I hope this stuff happens when you say it will :P I have a feeling that if it doesn't you WILL be hearing about it later

Damien Heiser

RioCar / empeg 12GB Blue Mark 2a SN: 120001043

I think I'll be able to vacation on the moon before I get that damn tuner module. I remember when it was going to be "soon" after the release of the Mk2.

P.S. I think Sonic Blues web site blows. Kind of a weird bizzaro mix of new SB goo and the old EMPEG site. With runtime errors.

I think I might have to second that motion, but, hey you want them to work on their products or their website? :) Beside the horrendous layout and the scant info, the thing even gives errors in IE 5.5, by far the most widespread browser. I wouldn't be surprised if the site got some updating when 1.03 comes out, or even more so when 1.1 come out. I also think that it should list this site under "Additional Resources," as this site (and its FAQ esp.) is about 1,000 more helpful and informative than sonicblue's page.

- John

I think that Rob said SB/RioCar web site was done by professionals (I don't remember whether in-house or contractors), so getting 1.03 or 1.1 our won't affect it per se. empeg web site, on the other hand, was done, IIRC, by Rob part time (and was well designed, functional, without run-time errors...)

Does quality of everything has to be inversely proprotional to the size of the company that is doing it?!

Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green

If you look here you will see that Rob said that the tuner will be out by the middle of July at the latest, so stop your bitchen! That is soon! The tuner components are all at the factory so it is just a matter of waiting for them to bang them through (actually I wouldn't be surprised if they are already banging the first ones out). All good things come to those who wait . Now be nice to Rob or he might put you at the end of the waiting list! He can do that you know.

(list 6284, Mk1 S/N 00299 4GB blue [for sale]. Mk2 S/N 080000094 6GB blue)

No, just the budget and timescales...

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

At the Amersfoort meet (Mk 2 - report and web site coming RSN ), Rob gave a spiel to all attendees regarding the problems of changing over design, production, marketing and sales to essentially another organisation.

Basically, all activities that had been underway at the time of the buy-out just stopped. Designs for remotes, tuners, empeg head units all had to be transferred to a new production and purchasing group, which was a big benefit - it allowed the guys at empeg to get rid of all the hassles associated with production, and should lead to easier availability (bigger buyng power), better reliability, and fewer quality problems.

However, there was a downside. Transfer takes time. Setting up again takes time. Preparing a new sales mechanism takes time. SB's normal business practice of using outside contractors to do specific jobs takes time. Net result, a big delay in things that were quite a long way down the road. It's debatable if leaving it with empeg would have sped things up.

The bottom line is a number promises:

- no more promises about unfulfillable dates.
- 1.03 and the tuner module will be available together.
- when they are available for release, the European shop will be open to sell them.
- the promised date is middle of July, which is now pretty concrete.

Consider the following: we did see and use physical examples of the tuner at the meet (it even resulted in a few tuner bugs related to RDS being spotted). Since the tuner is electrically functional and has been productionised, it is in all intents ready for delivery. Since 1.03 (currently in Beta) is required to make use of it, it can't be let go until 1.03 comes out of Beta. A limited number of tuners have been circulated to alpha testers and the gross bugs are out. The rest of the world has recently started testing what is effectively a regression test of 1.02 + tuner functions to check that nothing has been broken by the addition of tuner. Due to other work obligations and the fact that there are still apparently alpha-level bugs to resolve, 1.1 is still not in a Beta (or other) releasable state, so 1.03 is the stop gap to put the tuner out. It will, however, follow on the heels of 1.03, which should be quite short-lived.

So - the conclusion is: the ball is in your court as much as it is in SB's and their sales people; the faster you dig out bugs prior to the mid July date, the more likely it is that it can be got out of the door on time, to the great pleasure of a significant number of people, not the least of whom will be Rob, Hugo and the boys in Cambridge...

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015