Two Windows Central team members argue different stances on whether Microsoft should brag about the effectiveness of its Insider software-testing program so soon after a major Windows 10 mishap.
Surface Insider Rings(Image credit: Windows Central)
In early October, Microsoft announced its next major Windows 10 "feature update," appropriately named the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. It started rolling out the update shortly thereafter to users who actively sought it out (it was not available unless you used a tool to fetch the update). A major issue with the build soon arose, causing users to lose data and leading Microsoft to pull the update.
So what exactly happened? Our Senior Writer Zac Bowden did some digging to find out, and you can read the details here. Short answer: Microsoft mistook the early reports of issues for another bug that had already been squashed. So it continued to roll out the update, oblivious to the fact that a significant file-deletion bug still existed. So you could argue the Windows Insider Program failed, or that Microsoft did in its response to reports of issues. It took weeks for the problem to be resolved, and the "October Update" was not publicly released again until November.
Ever since, some people on the Windows Central team have debated exactly what happened and who's to blame. In particular, Gaming Editor Jez Corden and Contributor and app reviewer Sean Endicott have felt particularly strongly, with opinions that occupy completely different ends of the spectrum. A keynote address from Windows Insider Program Chief Dona Sarkar, at the European SharePoint Office 365 & Azure Conference late last month in Copenhagen, Denmark, brought the debate to a head. (Sarkar happens to be one of our 80 must-follow 2018 Microsoft Influencers.) Sarkar's speech was about how other companies can and should mimic Microsoft's Insider program to ensure successful software releases, and it came on the heels of the October Update mishap.
Endicott argues that it's a very bad look for Sarkar and Microsoft to be touting the Insider Program's success right now, while Corden believes one mistake shouldn't sour the success of the program to date. Below you'll find those two arguments fleshed out a bit. Which side do you stand on? Let us know in the comments.
Time for damage control, not boasting
From Endicott:
Corden took a contrary stance ...
One mistake should not define the Insider Program
From Corden:
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Where do you stand?
Do you think it's a big deal that a bug like the one that made Microsoft pull the October Update for weeks after its release slipped through? Should Microsoft still have its employees doing keynote addresses about the Insider Program's success in light of the recent issue? And do you tend to side with Endicott or Corden on the subject? Share your take in the comments.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.