I know sw development is incredibly difficult to estimate completion dates, especially with the load that SD is under; with so many nice products having been released lately. But if a release date is "missed", the customer is aware that something is around the corner, since it has been noted that work is being completed on a new project, thus the projected release date.
It just 'seems' to alot of people think that OD is left for dead, since there hasn't been an updates for an awefully long time. Granted, long time(s) between releases will always fuel this debate, whether it is warranted or not. Also, It would be nice if they fixed Impulse to allow the viewing and installation of the beta releases (or have they?), so we can get simpler way to get x64 support for OD (as opposed to installing the old SDC to get the OD+ beta).
Still, an estimate of Q1 2009, or something like that would give a nice 3 month window. Or why not a Q1-Q2 2009 setimate, a six month window? Most every company has to put estimated completion dates for the sake of striving to reach the goal. If a project has not reached the standard of quality where it needs to be, then the release date of course must slip. Again, the customer is aware something NEW is on the horizon, since the 'projected' release date was given many months before.
I know, I know; it is impossible to put an exact timeline on a good quality product, but a 3-6 month estimate is "usually" a good window for a projection. And I know this is all a moot point, since OD will do what they want to do, regardless of what (we in the forums) want. But aren't we, the supposed 'fanboys' of SD, deserving of some appeasing? Just a thought. Back to work for now.