Employing dedicated technical writers is a luxury typically afforded only by larger companies. In smaller companies the engineers often double as tech writers. As an engineer working for a tiny (7500-person ) high-tech company I create both internal and customer documentation. The only thing we don't do is write end-user guides but that's what our customers do. However, I can't speak for Outlaw, only from my own experience working for tiny start-ups and also huge, multinational high-tech corporations.

I doubt that Outlaw has a full-time tech writer. The number of manuals that they've published in the last decade would make it clear that they don't have such a position. Their products are produced by a number of different engineers (including personnel employed by companies like Inkel, Eastech, and ATI), but their manuals have a certain consistency that suggests someone within the organization is involved in enforcing certain standards. That person may write the manuals, or in some cases they have have independent contractors do some of the tech writing.

Either way, I think it's safe to say that nobody was pulled off Sherwood/Inkel's work on the 997 to write a setup guide for Onkyo's 886.

I think the point is that Outlaw, as a company, has its focus somewhere else. Here we are waiting for the 997 and they roll out the 886 by Onkyo. I wish people would stop getting so technical about things. Who cares about how tech savvy you are. In the end we all have one thing in common...Outlaw...and being snubbed by them.

Not trying to start a war, but simply want to express my own personal opinion that I don't feel Outlaw has behaved poorly in what is a frustrating situation for all. I'll just have to continue to enjoy my 990 for a while longer.

I'm opening the Xanax...

Seriously, I'm sure the Outlaws would be elated to have the 997 shipping and not bringing in a "Plan B strategy" of offering the Onkyo in combination with Outlaws' superior documentation and customer support.

But the 997 isn't ready. And Peter T. and co. aren't "snubbing" us or teasing us, I'm sure. They're just laboring with the reality that a modern pre/pro is a complex (and international) hardware and software development project.

Heck, it takes us 2-4 years to develop a videogame these days for a fully-developed hardware platform (and often starting with a fully-developed software engine from a third-party). Developing a pre/pro has many more unknowns than that 2-4 year game project.

I also feel the frustration at not being able to add a new Outlaw pre/pro to my home theater, and I'm generally not inclined to be a corporate apologist; but some of the hostility and speculation in this thread is just ill-informed and out of place.

"Developing a pre/pro has many more unknowns than that 2-4 year game project."

I'd have guessed the opposite.

A pre/pro has a defined set of functions, whereas a game is trying to simulate the chaos of reality with it's multiplicity of possible outcomes.

It's just too bad SN is taking so long to deliver a final product. It creates difficulties for Outlaw and angst for those who are keenly awaiting the 997. In the meantime we have the forum equivalent of thumb twiddling.

Just frustrated...sold my 990 in anticipation of the 997 coming early this summer and have been without HT for 6 months. Maybe the pressure is getting to me...I'll take my dose of Xanax now and clam down...maybe its time to take up a new hobbie...

I've been getting in a lot of time on my Xbox 360.

What a drag. Thought I would stop by the saloon and read about the starting date for the new release. Nothing! This place is like a ghost town. I like Outlaw and always look forward to giving them my money because they offer such a bang for the buck, but the wait is killing me.
I thought when we sold our house last September and packed up the Home theater room, that I would have already upgraded with the new 997, what a disappointment. I will check back in a few months, and hope that things will be moving forward.
just some suggestions, the new NFL and collage football season is starting, Fall fishing is picking up and bowling season has already started in some areas. Find something to do, cause it might be a long while for sure.