Access 2013 - Dbase (.dbf) Table Import option

Just to be clear I was not referring to you when I referred to unfounded statements. In fact the only reason I responded to your post was because of the specific question you asked.

Scott,

Thanks for the quick reply.  My interactions with MS goes over many years, over many issues, and with various levels of the MS organization.  For myself, I don't believe I've made any statements without foundation.  You may have been referencing previous posts.  I understand your position as an uncompensated, dedicated MS helper and the many unsubstantiated posts (or rants) you have to deal with. 

Yes, I've participated in development team blogs and have had various levels of success.  But, for me, at some point, the ROI does not seem to be justified.  However, even if the dis-satisfied group is less than 5% on some issue, why make even that small number mad.  I'll take two examples; 1) removing the dbf function from Access, and 2) removing Picture Manager from Office.  Obviously, the code is written and works.  And Excel still works with dbf files.  What business or marketing advantage is there in removing this functionality from Office?  Yes, customers still purchase and for the most part are satisfied.  But there is no doubt that there are competitors successfully nibbling. It would be an interesting management study to see the facts on how those decisions were made.  Probably not by people who ever used either function.

Cheers,

J Austin

John,

To answer your question first there are UserVoice forums for many products. Second there are blogs from many of the product teams where comments can be posted. I know those comments are read, but I can't vouch to what degree they are listened to. Depends on the Product team. 

I am aware that there have been some instances where Win 10 has been pushed out where it hasn't been asked for. We experienced a couple of instances in my company. The upgrade was easily stopped in our experience however.

But I'm not a Windows MVP I am an Access MVP so I don't have as much knowledge of how the Windows team works. 

The fact is there are close to 2 billion Windows users and over a billion Office users world wide. How many are having problems? If there were even 10% that would bring Microsoft to its knees. You have to have some perspective here. That's my main point. For the previous poster to make such a statement based only on experience outside of MS is just making unfounded accusations. Yes there are issues. Office is a massive program with a massive installed base that is largely satisfied with the product. The fact that sales continue and upgrades continue to be sold is proof of that. That's my point. 

If you have specific problems please post them (in the appropriate places) and see how they can be dealt with. But making statements without foundation goes against my grain. Again, I'm not trying to defend Microsoft or deny there are issues. I'm just trying to inject a level of reality.

Yes, Mr. or Ms. MVP (Scott, in particular), I'm sure MS has a lot of internal data that provides the decision makers/managers the information necessary (in their opinion) to determine what features to keep or remove. I've followed this thread since the feature was removed (as well as other forums that demonstrate the ability of MS to remove other features and program capability).  What this does not take into account is the how the ire of a minority of their customer base spreads to uninvolved customers, and eventually to MS's bottom line.  I guess I would categorize my own status as a very loyal supporter of MS.

I'm in real estate and case in point. Last week one of my colleagues was in the middle of 4 or 5 deals and when he came to work one morning he didn't have the computer he left the previous evening.  It showed a Windows 10 screen.  He was more than livid.  He had been faithfully declining all the bothersome recommendations to upgrade to Windows 10.  He called me and I said to not accept their policy screen.  Finally, the system reverted to his Windows 7.  He told me he would never buy another Microsoft product.  Two days ago the exact same thing happened to my wife's Windows 8.1 computer.  We did not ever agree to the installation of Windows 10 on that computer.  While I like Windows 10 (have it on 4 other computers) my wife did not want to learn a new system.  In speaking with a MS Level 2 support technician (on another Windows issue) he told me that they were being overrun with this problem and trying to get customers back on line.  I read somewhere where this was a "mistake" and the development team was fixing. Hmm....... From a casual observer the priority of getting to 1B Windows 10 installs makes one wonder.

When one puts together all the various data points and the comments from many unhappy customers in the various forums, a fairly persistent and consistent picture emerges - Microsoft does not really listen to its customers and charges ahead with what it thinks best (on what criteria is not clear).  Maybe Mr./Ms. VIP sees something different behind the scenes but the customer base doesn't see it.  I wonder if Mr. Nadella ever gets to read any of the forum threads?  My recommendation would be to read the thread regarding the removal of place-holder meta files that were removed from Windows 8.1 when going to Windows 10.  For over a year everyone has been begging to bring back that functionality (at least those who did not leave OneDrive and went to DropBox).  From what I can tell MS, has been completely silent (a rumor here and there) and has left everyone in the dark (including myself who really misses that function). 

Scott, I'm sorry this is not along the thread of this forum but you opened the door with your previous comments.  And just what other forums or processes are available to loyal customers to try and communicate their perceptions and impacts of MS actions (other than going to another vendor)?  Point us in that direction and I'm sure there is a large audience willing to take advantage of that process.

J. Austin