The dread bleeding Drobo

So it looks like DRI cowardly retreded after they clearly proved that they were unwilling or unable to support MAC users.  Below is a letter I received from Capable Networks regarding the matter.  Below that is my reply...

Dear DroboSpace Member, 

Earlier this month, the DroboSpace Community and Forum went offline as Data=
 Robotics, the primary sponsor of the site, ended its long-time community p=
artnership with Capable Networks (our company). DRI has since launched a cl=
osed, company-managed support forum on its own corporate site under the Dro=
boSpace name. 

We here at Capable are exploring our options for continuing to support an o=
pen, independently-owned and operated Drobo online community like those we =
run at SlingCommunity.com, TiVoCommunity.com, and MyOpenRouter.com. 

That's where you come in. Over the past two years, you helped us create a t=
hriving Drobo community built around valuable content that became the most =
popular destination for lively discussions around Drobo-related products. I=
t would be a shame to see all the information and conversations vanish, but=
 that depends on your involvement and support. 

If you would or would not like to see an independent and open community ret=
urn, please send us an e-mail with your thoughts or feedback to drobospace@=
capablenet.com. We look forward to hearing from you and will certainly resp=
ond to the community when we have finalized our decision. 

Thank you for all your help and support. 

Capable Networks
(The Former DroboSpace Team)

My Reply

Capable Networks,
Wow, I am at a loss for words.  After taking a day to read over your email several times and gather my thoughts I am still in awe.  Although this move by DRI doesn't surprise me it comes as a serious blow to their reputation.

When DroboSpace originally opened it was closed as well only to registered Drobo owners.  It was then decided that the forums should be opened to the the public.  This is a great move on your part, but I think DRI bit off more than they could handle.

They launched Drobo with a huge marketing campaign paying off who ever they can to praise the product.  The product under delivered and support was not there.  With the last few releases of Apple's Leopard OS DRI really let there customers down (see my post http://shaiperednik.com/2009/06/data-robotics-hates-mac/).  And as expected the MAC community voiced their opinions on DroboSpace and put DRI in a really tough situation.  Do they ramp up their support and stay ahead of things or retreat and hide behind a shroud of privacy.

Looks like the latter and it's very unfortunate for us DRI users.  I hold my fingers tightly crossed in high hopes that we will soon see a community run DRI forum.

-Shai Perednik