What's up with Brainstorm

Posted by Derek Cornish
Sep 14, 2009 at 06:16 PM

Stephen Zeoli wrote:
> >I just installed the
>update and had the same result you did, Derek.
> >It is rather disappointing that
>virtually nothing is happening with Brainstorm. I had spoken with the new developer
>back in the spring, I believe, and had the impression he was planning to make some
>significant changes. At the time I suggested he tend to the web site and user forum,
>because seeing no activity gives the impression that the product is dead or dying. He
>seemed to agree with me, yet nothing has happened. I sincerely hope this isn’t another
>instance where someone well intentioned takes over development of an application
>then finds himself overwhelmed, only to allow the application to wither on the
>vine.
>

Thanks for confirming the unchanged version problem, Steve.

Good news though: I think the update has been made as there are indeed two new features, apparently introduced in versions 3.6 builds 3 & 4. The change log on the website (which I missed last night) mentions the following:

Add Open / verify option to force sanity checking on dubious brn files; and
Give the Find / Replace dialog box a caption.

At least this shows some activity, and I am rather relieved. The forum is another matter, however. It reminds me ominously of the Citation forum on askSam which languished for some years until it was put out of its misery. The subject of user forums and their costs and benefits really deserves another thread, though…

Derek