Well, just too throw in my two cents...

I am a software developer (not with Verant), and I can assure you, there are
never any conspiracy meetings to thwart our users efforts. If that were the
case, we'd lose customers.

That said, ALL SOFTWARE IS RELEASED WITH BUGS!!! Get used to it. That is
never ever going to change. There is always a tradeoff between stability
and time to market. Verant made an excellent decision to release the
software when it did. By doing so, it captured market share and loyalty.

As for bug fixes and feature changes, all I have to say is be thankful that
Verant is committed to providing timely updates. Not every software company
is commited to that.

As for the bugs and fixes that are addressed, I'm sure that they do it in
terms of priority, ease of development, and risk. In Verants case, balance
in EQ is an ongoing bug. To fix it, they probably incorporate similar
techniques used through out the industry. They evaluate user needs and
wants, balance that with the schedule, and evaluate how changing one portion
of the software will effect other portions.

Since none of us work for Verant, I think it is safe to assume that none of
us can really say what goes on there. However, it is probably also safe to
assume that each developer, manager, and employee of that company has great
pride in their product, and does not intentionally sabotage the way that
thier users interact with it or enjoy it.

Developing software is different than developing any other product in the
marketplace, in that changing technologies, user demands, and market
conditions mature and change much quicker than in most other sectors. As
consumers of such products, you need to be aware of this, and accept it as
reality. Otherwise, some of you are doomed to nayesaying and conspiracy
theories forever.

Just my opinion.

Chris.