In case you weren’t aware, Microsoft recently stated that there is a 20% chance that they will delay Vista again, and not be ready for the anticipated January 2007 release.

A software company missing their own deadline multiple times isn’t a new thing at all, they’ve been doing it for years! Granted there is a lot of work involved in creating any software, let alone an operating system, but is there a logical reason to let down your customers?

If I wanted to run a circus, I wouldn’t start putting up flyers right off the bat that say “Circus coming on Saturday!” and then start working on the logistics. Instead I would start gathering the people, animals, and supplies I need to make the show happen. Acrobats, clowns, daredevils, lions, elephants, tents, and everything else would need to be rounded up and trained or tested.

Once my circus has an actual show to it, I might think about printing up my flyers and announcing the show.

It’s hard to name companies that actually do this, outside of the obvious Google. They practically wait until they are launching their new software before they even think about telling anybody it is being developed.

So are you telling people about your circus now? Or waiting until you actually have made it functional?