Topic: ALL SI Models - Leave past firmware versions up...

[strawdg]

Model:	ALL SI Models
Suggested Upgrade:	Leave past firmware versions up...
Explanation:	Leave past firmware versions (and release information) on the Humminbird web site so people don't get hosed if a new version causes problems. This is easy to do.... when someone registers their unit the serial number tells HB which firmware version the unit shipped with. That is the starting point for that unit. That version and all later versions, along with information on what the updates do, should be available when they click on their model number.... Straw
Added in Software Version:
Comments on Update:

[Bob B]

+1

[sonar2000]

Now this is a great suggestion. How many times have we needed to go back a level to fix the update bug problem.
How about it.  Keep the last update or code level in addition to the new one and available to the user.

Chuck

[Roddy]

Ditto! Chuck.

Roddy

[strawdg]

Now this is a great suggestion. How many times have we needed to go back a level to fix the update bug problem.
How about it.  Keep the last update or code level in addition to the new one and available to the user.

Chuck

Actually availability of ALL updates from and including the one the unit was shipped with should be available. That leaves a much better chance there is a stable version that provides the features and functions each customer finds most important.

Look at how windows updates...... a restore point is created and stored first. If enough space is allowed you can restore to the last point, a point a week before, or even two months before.

Straw

[ITGEEK]

This sounds good, but it's going to cause
much more work for Humminbird's employees.

It will probably also tax the disk space on their servers.
I can't see them ever doing this.

Humminbird recommends having the newest update on
our units.  That's why that is the only version they make
available to us.  And that is why, when a unit is sent in
for service, if it doesn't have the newest update on it,
they automatically install it.

You are going to have people installing older updates and
then having some features not working, and Humminbird
customer service will be totally swamped with calls and emails.

This would be a bad business decision for Humminbird
to do this.

A much better alternative is for Humminbird to thoroughly test
updates before they release them to the public.

[strawdg]

A much better alternative is for Humminbird to thoroughly test
updates before they release them to the public.

Well said.. however testing of software easily becomes a non-ending process, it is hard to to simulate all conditions for all users. Plus a large part of HB's drive in releasing updates is to sell new products, so there is a push to issue updates as soon as possible so those products get moved off the shelf.

It will probably also tax the disk space on their servers.

This point is somewhat questionable.... I can't imagine they don't already keep archives of their past releases. In fact we know they do because we have seen many examples of people calling service to get rollbacks from the latest version, that in itself is extra work for service.

You are going to have people installing older updates.

Already happening due to the latest buggy update...

Humminbird recommends having the newest update on
our units.  That's why that is the only version they make
available to us.  And that is why, when a unit is sent in
for service, if it doesn't have the newest update on it,
they automatically install it.

It is true that they are going to install the latest update so they are working from a known point, that is as it should be. That said though, If I were to send in a unit for service and it came back updated to a newer version that was buggy, causing different problems I would be a very unhappy customer.

As far as the only version available to us.... That is part of the problem, because at the present time, that is the only Version OFFICIALLY available to us. I don't know how many forums I have seen where people are sending rollbacks to others to fix the latest update. This is not good..... HB has lost control of the update process when this happens. I personally would never install an update I got from any place other than HB... But apparently many others are...

Straw

[ITGEEK]

Straw, you're right.
This is a terrible problem.

I was the victim of a bad update myself, and
it got me really pissed off.  Most savvy users have
learned the hard way, that it's best to wait and
see if others have problems before jumping in and
installing a new update right away.

Humminbird needs to let every technician they've got,
test a new update for an entire day.
And, make sure all of the accessories are hooked to
the unit while testing.
Once one technician has tested it, move it on to the next
technician, and the next, and the next, with each technician logging
any problems.
If there are problems, then fix the code, then start the
whole testing process over again.
Then, after the update has been tested at least for
a few weeks, and they are confident of it, only then
should they release it.

But you're right, they are in a hurry to sell new units
and accessories.

I think if Humminbird gives every user access to multiple versions
of updates, it will be a recipe for disaster.  They will be bringing an
additional work load on themselves that may be staggering.

You've got users out there that just don't have any clue at all to
what they are doing.  They won't know what version they installed,
only that something used to work, and it is not working now.  They'll
be taking up time with a Humminbird Customer service person,
and that person may not be available to help users that have a
real problem.

This is one request that I feel Humminbird won't ever do.
They'd be crazy to do it.
If I was them, I MOST CERTAINLY would not do it.

[strawdg]

You make some good points here. I still contend that under the present situation they have already set themselves up for the extra work and headaches.

I personally keep EVERY update that they offer for my unit. They are stored on my remote server... That server is backed up to a second hard drive in a different location, so I have double backups. So as far as I am concerned the present situation does not effect me. But looking around at other forums... a lot of people are unhappy.

There is also the fact that many customers will never do an update as long as their units are working for them and they don't intend to buy the new hardware some of the updates are geared for. If they have a failure they will just send it in. So HB already has to deal with units having various versions being sent it for service.

Actually having multiple versions and certainly version information along with bug reports is fairly standard for software.

I will not send rollbacks to anybody else because doing so is actually a disservice to them, because they have no Idea how a firmware version from me has been handled.

Straw

[sonar2000]

Strawdg....Exactly.  Which is why on this forum the software downloads are not always up to date. Especially lately with all the code shipped with defects.
HB should step up the quality test of new code. Maybe have a select of HB users who will additionally test not only the install (update) but the function. It would take different user configurations but well worth the quality of the final product..

chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

That’s interesting… and here I thought that the reason that the different software versions for each model were not up to date was due to the upload file size restriction.
I guess I was wrong about that too…
 

[sonar2000]

You were thinking right as that was the problem a while back.
Robert fixed the upload size to accomodate the new larger files for the newer units.  We were adding in the new code until recently when the issues surfaced so have held back on updating until there is a comfort level in the code.   We did not want to distribute code where there could be a problem to someone.
I would suppose when all this settles down and there are not the issues then the downloads may be update quicker.
However, if you were to write the code then there would be no problems at all.. ..... ....
Chuck

[Jim Jack]

Humminbird needs to let every technician they've got, test a new update for an entire day. And, make sure all of the accessories are hooked to the unit while testing.

This is to glass house testing for these units, HB needs to expand their beta test group. All the complaints for 6.57 were not from users with the new gear but those without. I've not hear a single complaint from someone with an I Pilot link, 360, and the new GPS-HS installed.

From reading posts I would surmise that several folks are either developers or work for SW companies themselves and would make excellent beta testers.

[sonar2000]

It was suggested to HB 2 years ago that they add to the fishing pro's a beta test set of everyday type folks. All I got was a nod of the head.  Nothing happend. 
This certainly would add to the quality of the product. 
This group would not be receiving new hardware but would be the field test of code for their existing units.
It would virtually cost HB nothing..Code is shipped over the internet..
The guys here have time and know their units well enought to be beta testors.
It would certainly stop a lot of worthless code ships to buyers..

Chuck

[reddog]

I've not hear a single complaint from someone with an I Pilot link, 360, and the new GPS-HS installed.

Thats what confuses me the most..  Almost everyone that had the Link or the 360 didnt indicate that it was anything short of correct..  I would make the assumption, that even if they found something amiss with the code, that it would be up to them to get back to Humminbird to correct it, and not make any mention to the public. Thats why they are testing it..

I have to think that Humminbird is  embarrased over this deal, and some heads will roll because of it and also some further precautions to make sure this doesnt happen again..

One thing for sure, is that at least nobody had hardware to use it on, so for right now, its just a little delay.

I could be wrong,,,

[Bob B]

Doug Vahrenberg was one of those testing the new software, and he said there weren't any problems with the version he had installed for testing.  I think Doug would be one of the first to notice the scroll speed issue....I'll bet it was some sort of last minute change that no-one thought was going to be an issue.
The famous last words.....That shouldn't affect anything.

[flatcat_auz]

This is to glass house testing for these units, HB needs to expand their beta test group. All the complaints for 6.57 were not from users with the new gear but those without. I've not hear a single complaint from someone with an I Pilot link, 360, and the new GPS-HS installed.

From reading posts I would surmise that several folks are either developers or work for SW companies themselves and would make excellent beta testers.

That's because the lay person is outpriced on the I Pilot and 360!!!

[ScottMN]

Maybe Im a hoarder but I keep all the past updates on my PC due to past experiences with BIOS & Firmware updates with other gadgets. I assumed everyone did that.

[flatcat_auz]

Not a problem Scotty as I work as a case manager for a hoarding and squalor service. Problem is I live in another country 

[ITGEEK]

ScottMN, that's a smart thing to do.
I actually rely on this site to get an older
update, if I ever need it.  I've only ever really
needed it once.

With Chuck retiring, I hope someone will
still keep these older updates posted on this
site.

It's really ridiculous that we ever need to
go back to an older update, but unfortunately,
for now, it's a reality.