Comparison to Centrafuse? - Page 2

Habious · 07-28-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

The phone issue was mainly the problem with CF2. Alot of the other issues, like with HD Radio are machine specific. CF2 works flawlessly for me now, except for the rear control enhancements, which was moved to CF3, I think CF 3.1, once 3.0 is known to work. CF3 is really getting close, BETA testers are already testing and suggesting fixes. I think with most software companies they have the means to have 2 different departments to support different versions of a software. FLUX doesn't have that luxury, they are a relatively small company. So I understand what they are doing.

I've had "focus" issues with CD since the 1.47 days (I use a Space Navigator controller which issues keyboard shortcut commands). You select the Sat Radio and it will SOMETIMES go to sat radio with the focus on the window with the channels, so you can scroll through the channel list...and sometimes it wont (I have to hit TAB, TAB to get it over to the right window). It sometimes does this on the mp3 list as well.

I've reported this bug every time I've found it. I'm always told "Got it...it'll be fixed in the next version!"...and it's fixed...and then pops up again somewhere else.

There are numerous voice-command issues (yes, I know about some issues being a fundamental limitation of the MS Speech engine...and this is "fixed" in CF3). There are some commands that are supposed to work...but simply don't (You cannot call up the "Sat Radio" or the "Weather" plug-in via voice-command...even though you're supposed to be able to do this). The answer I've gotten is "This will be fixed in CF3".

And, I do understand WHY they do things the way they do. You're right, they're a small company with limited resources. They have to focus their energy where it will do the most good. They're not going to make money fixing bugs in last-year's software...they're going to make money by getting CF3.0 in saleable condition as soon as possible.

Understanding this doesn't make it any less frustrating though.

That being said, I chose CF (and don't regret the decision) because I still think it's the best solution out there for my needs...and there IS a support structure in place.

And, to be clear, CF3.0 is a PAY upgrade so, in order to get the features that were SUPPOSED to work on CF 2.0...I have to pay (again) to get 3.0.

HiJackZX1 · 07-28-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Habious

I've had "focus" issues with CD since the 1.47 days (I use a Space Navigator controller which issues keyboard shortcut commands). You select the Sat Radio and it will SOMETIMES go to sat radio with the focus on the window with the channels, so you can scroll through the channel list...and sometimes it wont (I have to hit TAB, TAB to get it over to the right window). It sometimes does this on the mp3 list as well.

I've reported this bug every time I've found it. I'm always told "Got it...it'll be fixed in the next version!"...and it's fixed...and then pops up again somewhere else.

There are numerous voice-command issues (yes, I know about some issues being a fundamental limitation of the MS Speech engine...and this is "fixed" in CF3). There are some commands that are supposed to work...but simply don't (You cannot call up the "Sat Radio" or the "Weather" plug-in via voice-command...even though you're supposed to be able to do this). The answer I've gotten is "This will be fixed in CF3".

And, I do understand WHY they do things the way they do. You're right, they're a small company with limited resources. They have to focus their energy where it will do the most good. They're not going to make money fixing bugs in last-year's software...they're going to make money by getting CF3.0 in saleable condition as soon as possible.

Understanding this doesn't make it any less frustrating though.

That being said, I chose CF (and don't regret the decision) because I still think it's the best solution out there for my needs...and there IS a support structure in place.

And, to be clear, CF3.0 is a PAY upgrade so, in order to get the features that were SUPPOSED to work on CF 2.0...I have to pay (again) to get 3.0.

Now that you have told me the problems, let me contact FLUX directly and see what they can do. I honestly think that sometimes users do fall through the cracks, and you happen to be one of them. FLUX isn't 100% on internal communication, or at least use to be, so although one said it will be fixed, it maybe wasn't brought up to the person that can fix it? Who knows, but I will ask them. As for the upgrade, it is pay, but its a very modest fee, not sure what it is though, but they say it wont empty out peoples pockets. The reason CF2 was a free upgrade for CF1 users was mainly because Phonco was discontinued and no longer supported. Thats left CF1 missing a promised main feature. So to be fair, they allowed people to upgrade for free. Now almost every feature in CF2 is still working, so now we have to pay to upgrade, which I think is fair. I will email them today and see if they respond. I do know they are heavy BETA testing so there is a chance they will not get back to me in a timely manner, but I will try.

Habious · 07-28-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Now that you have told me the problems, let me contact FLUX directly and see what they can do. I honestly think that sometimes users do fall through the cracks, and you happen to be one of them. FLUX isn't 100% on internal communication, or at least use to be, so although one said it will be fixed, it maybe wasn't brought up to the person that can fix it? Who knows, but I will ask them. As for the upgrade, it is pay, but its a very modest fee, not sure what it is though, but they say it wont empty out peoples pockets. The reason CF2 was a free upgrade for CF1 users was mainly because Phonco was discontinued and no longer supported. Thats left CF1 missing a promised main feature. So to be fair, they allowed people to upgrade for free. Now almost every feature in CF2 is still working, so now we have to pay to upgrade, which I think is fair. I will email them today and see if they respond. I do know they are heavy BETA testing so there is a chance they will not get back to me in a timely manner, but I will try.

Thanks.

I do want to clarify; I wasn't trying to say that I think CF is a "bad" product...or that FluxMedia is some "evil corporation"...or even that the OP should go with SD...I just wanted to give them some insight into what can/does happen.

With either one of these products...if you can get it up and running, doing what YOU want to do with it...you're golden.

I'm willing to bet that I'm going to end up upgrading to 3.0 no matter what. And, you're right, it's a modest fee for existing 2.0 users (I kind-of think maybe in the $50.00 range...but don't quote me).

I don't know the details, but if the OP was to purchase CF right now...could they buy a license for 3.0? Or would they have to buy 2.0...knowing that it's basically no-longer supported and that they're going to have to pay again in the very-near future to get a supported product?

Personally, even with the (understandable) flaws in FluxMedia's system, I'd take Centrafuse over StreetDeck any day. That whole falling-off-the-face-of-the-earth-for-a-year-and-leaving-their-customers-out-to-dry is just inexcusable, in my book.

HiJackZX1 · 07-28-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Habious

Thanks.

I do want to clarify; I wasn't trying to say that I think CF is a "bad" product...or that FluxMedia is some "evil corporation"...or even that the OP should go with SD...I just wanted to give them some insight into what can/does happen.

With either one of these products...if you can get it up and running, doing what YOU want to do with it...you're golden.

I'm willing to bet that I'm going to end up upgrading to 3.0 no matter what. And, you're right, it's a modest fee for existing 2.0 users (I kind-of think maybe in the $50.00 range...but don't quote me).

I don't know the details, but if the OP was to purchase CF right now...could they buy a license for 3.0? Or would they have to buy 2.0...knowing that it's basically no-longer supported and that they're going to have to pay again in the very-near future to get a supported product?

Personally, even with the (understandable) flaws in FluxMedia's system, I'd take Centrafuse over StreetDeck any day. That whole falling-off-the-face-of-the-earth-for-a-year-and-leaving-their-customers-out-to-dry is just inexcusable, in my book.

I do know that they are having the Stimulus sale..... So to get the non Nav version, its like $62.50 for standard. So then I think we should estimate that the upgrade fee, may be similar (its a estimate made by me, so don't assume, lol) to about $62.50 without Nav. So thats $125.00 which would actually break him even. He would pay half price for each equaling 1 full copy. Now if he wants the nav version (which is a big mistake) then it would run about $125.00 with the stimulas sale, but his best bet, is use the new NAV embeding feature in CF3 and use iGuaidance or any other.

BIGGKATT01 · 07-31-2009, 12:27 AM

Streetdeck has been proven to be the correct frontend for me I tried CF 1 and 2 and didn't like either 1, I didn't like the gui and it loaded dreadfully slow. But thats just me, to each his own Streetdeck is excellent for me but it may not be for other people.

Kevin22 · 09-26-2009, 01:04 PM

I've been watching the top front ends for awhile now... one thing to look at is the fact that there hasn't been any updates in the skin forums for this for over 7 months, 3 months in the scripts forum, and 8 months in the bug report forum, just a VERY MINIMUM amount of posts for all forums under SD. when you look at riderunner its over populated with threads and its a FREE frontend. im not saying any FE is bad, or even better than another, I'm just pointing out the fact that once a 'new release' is being made, in both CF and SD, the support drops off the face of the planet. for this reason I will never pay for CF or SD unless upgrades are free. Why spend money when 4-6 months down the road a new version will be 'in the making' then you have a problem and your left with your d**k in your hands, pockets empty, and at the mercy of the upgrade price because your so used to that front end?

Unless the support shows improvement in EITHER of these front ends I hope for nothing other than these FE's to die off

HiJackZX1 · 09-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Kevin22

I've been watching the top front ends for awhile now... one thing to look at is the fact that there hasn't been any updates in the skin forums for this for over 7 months, 3 months in the scripts forum, and 8 months in the bug report forum, just a VERY MINIMUM amount of posts for all forums under SD. when you look at riderunner its over populated with threads and its a FREE frontend. im not saying any FE is bad, or even better than another, I'm just pointing out the fact that once a 'new release' is being made, in both CF and SD, the support drops off the face of the planet. for this reason I will never pay for CF or SD unless upgrades are free. Why spend money when 4-6 months down the road a new version will be 'in the making' then you have a problem and your left with your d**k in your hands, pockets empty, and at the mercy of the upgrade price because your so used to that front end?

Unless the support shows improvement in EITHER of these front ends I hope for nothing other than these FE's to die off

SD Has always been like that. Slow with development as far as third party is concerned. CF and RR on the other hand are always posting new things. CF support hasn't slowed down that much, its just no one is really asking for major help since they are all waiting for the CF3 release, and FLUX has ironed most of the bugs out of CF2. I haven't bothered with CF2 since CF3 started its testing. Not that there is anything wrong with CF2. Flux did fix the major issue (phone), before finally announcing that CF3 was replacing CF2. You make it sound as though the upgrade price is going to make you go bankrupt. Its only like 49.99. If you currently have the Destinator maps, then the upgrade is 49.99, you simply copy the maps from CF2 into CF3.

Have you ever personally dealt with CF support? I don't think you have. Otherwise you wouldn't have the mind set you have. I am Flux's best but worst customer, and everyone knows how I get when something goes wrong. Every single time though, FLUX has been there to help, even if its an issue caused by me. Mind you they did decide to do a street deck move and stop all support for a short time, but once people voiced their anger, Flux picked up on the support.

PS: nothing wrong with having your d#*k in your hands, next time do a back and forth motion and I guarantee it will be fun.

PS 2: There is a slight chance that Flux my go with Geolife's Navmii for navigation. Geolife has expressed great interest in working with Flux and setting up a licensing arrangement, which none of the other companies would do (thats why cr@pinator is still there). Flux has stated they do not want to start negotiations until they get CF3 out, so maybe by CF 3.1 or 3.2, we will see a new Nav engine.

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