Gizmodo
The story of Daniel_K vs. Creative reaches a temporary conclusion as Creative reinstates the deleted forum posts by Daniel that helped other users get their sound cards working under Vista. The company did this as a result of angry forum and blog posts (some here as well), mostly all siding with Daniel.
On the one hand, Daniel says "They publicly threatened me, just to show their arrogance. They were sarcastic, ironic and asked me if I wanted something from them, as if I were expecting something. It was my protest against them and would like to see how far it would go."
On the other hand, Creative does have a legal right to protect their software, and if they want to force users to upgrade in order to get proper functionality, it's their right to do so (even if it is somewhat of a dick move). Daniel himself admits that he crossed the line, both with asking for donations and this:
Reversing ALchemy was also wrong, I know. But I reiterate, what is the point of improving ALchemy and changing for it, when it requires an improved driver? It was my protest against Creative.
To Creative's credit, they do realize the error of their ways and are being more acceptive to new forms of development. But Daniel's not without his faults here, which seems to be something glossed over on recent accounts of the situation. In the end, the posts are back up and people can go ahead and get their cards working on Vista, which is probably the most important thing any of us will take away from this mess. That, and the fact that John Stamos has aged quite well. [The Register]
Creative's statement:
We have read the strong feedback about Creative's forum post regarding driver development by Daniel_k and other outside parties. Creative's message posted on our behalf by our Company spokesperson tried to address our concern about the improper distribution of certain software which is the property of other companies. However, we did not make it as clear as we would have liked that we do support driver development by independent third parties. The huge task of developing driver updates to accommodate the many changes in the Vista operating system and the extensive testing required, including the lengthy Vista certification requirements for audio, makes it very difficult for Creative to develop updates for all past products. Outside developers have been very helpful to Creative and our customers by developing updates for many of our Sound Blaster products, and we do support and appreciate these efforts. This however does not extend to the unauthorized distribution of other companies' property. We hope to work out a mutually agreeable method for working with Daniel_k in supporting his efforts in driver development. Going forward, we are committed to doing a better job of working more closely with third parties to support their development for our products and our customers.
Comments
Creative's Response: It's Vista's fault. Thanks for Daniel_k for bring this to our attention.
I have to say, overall and including this, I think Creative has handled itself pretty well. They may have been a little heavy-handed, but they never really came across as smurf-bags. Certainly they attempted to play well with others better than their competitors have/do/would have.
I'm not your friend, buddy.
Soooooo... Creative is finally going to let their customers be creative? S'about time.
How about that idiot who smashed his XFi card in protest? He probably blamed Creative for making him do it.
The Stamos abides.
@daftrok:
I'm not your buddy, guy
Creative is just not really relevant anymore. And even if they build a product in the future that is relevant to my desires, I would still pass Creative up because I never want to deal with their support center ever again.
@Darrone: Yes, when all else fails, blame Microsoft.
@MrBlahBlah: I'm not your friend, Guy!
In Soviet Russia, drivers sound blaster you.
@MrBlahBlah:
I'm not your guy, friend!
@DJJS: I'm not your guy, buddy!
@daftrok: I'm definitely not your guy or friend, buddy!
@92BuickLeSabre: I'm not your buddy, pal!
@daftrok:
I'm not your friend, buddy!
South Park has created a new internet meme! Quick everyone use it at once!
(I'm not your buddy, guy!)
So Creative doesn't actually write their own drivers? Their explanation was confusing. It still doesn't change the fact that their software doesn't play nicely with their hardware.
Who left the gate to Canada open?
no, guys it's more like screw customers. regardless of how the operating system sucks, you still need to support it if your users are migrating to it. blaming the os is not the right way to go. honestly, creative is a big company and they can get these vista drivers out the door if they wanted to. obviously, they don't give a shit about company-customer relations.
I still don't understand what the deal is. I have an audigy 2 plat that i bought in 2001 or 2 or something. When I upgraded to Vista it worked perfectly fine and did everything it did before, with the exception of the missing CMSS2 feature, which is not a big deal. The sound quality (which is awesome) sounds exactly the same.
Awww, izzall better!
We can has makeup seks now?
@MrBlahBlah, 92BuickLeSabre, daftrok, and all others:
LEAVE CREATIVE ALONE!!!!!
Perhaps a little more explanation is needed because they really aren't being to clear. It's not Creative that has a problem with outside driver development. Read the line "This however does not extend to the unauthorized distribution of other companies' property". The other companies are those that creative is licensing software from. As an example CMSS, Dolby Digital, THX etc etc. Vista changes the way the card interacts and works with these features. Thus new agreements. By doing what Mr. K did, he allowed Creative products to use features they hadn't licensed. That puts them in a tough spot. Because Vista functions differently it probably means tons of new cash to all of the companies they license from.
"if they want to force users to upgrade in order to get proper functionality, it's their right to do so" - That isn't their right and it's more than a "dick move." It should be illegal.
Yeah, by the time the next OS comes out, we'll all have forgotten, and they can just do what they always do; not create drivers for older cards on the new OS.
I think whats most frustrating to me is that they were shown first hand from ONE random guy in their forums how to enable full functionality of their products.
Even if we assume that their driver development team is staffed by a group of functionally retarded handi-capable primates easily out classed by one of their own forum members, they've already been shown how to make the products work with Vista.
Yet they still refuse to release official working drivers...
My Audigy Platinum was a great card. My 1212m was a great card.
I'll certainly not be using them ever again.
er - why would creative want new drivers for old cards? better to sell new cards, right? that's what this is about. Maybe someday we'll get legal protection for products that says the drivers need to be kept up to date for x years. it feels to me like a lot of companies stop supporting legacy products and SURPRISE you have to buy something new (and often not better) from them. it's actually in their interests NOT to update these things. not good for the consumer.
To be honest why doesnt creative just offer him a job. I mean for fuck sake if there devs can't get it right then hire someone who can.
Creative SHOULD hire the guy.
Christ he's doing it better than the guys getting paid for it already!
I wouldn't be in the sound card business for all the money in the world. Even when they make a good model card, the drivers can be a nightmare, and then games who use the drivers wrong, there's a lot of stuff beyond their control even if the hardware does what it should.
This guy helping is one thing, but asking for donations is a pretty jacky assy move. Don't volunteer to do something then put the hat out afterwards. The nice thing is Creative sounds like they got pretty assey holey too but when the community shamed them into it they admitted to being jerkey waddy.
In conclusion I must mention to the last poster, I'm not your guy, sport.
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