The author has had better success than I have. Earlier this year I archived a couple dozen CD-R and DVD-R discs with mixed results. Most remained accessible, but a few were no longer readable, tested across multiple drives. In my case, the discs were cheap, CompUSA branded discs. Media quality certainly matters. These discs were also older than the author's, approaching 20+ years.
I tried loading some of my old burned CD-Rs a few years back and had very little success too. They were maybe 10-12 years old at the time. It was kind of sad.
I had a number of burned CDs flake out on me over the years.
In interviews with agencies I've been told "You're not a designer" and "I hate personnel." In many cases the old agency curmudgeons are threatened by younger people with talent. This sounds like a similar example.
On the up side, this is an excellent indicator that you don't want to work for these people. There's always a better option.
"We know that every release requires change and that the change will make some people unhappy. In this regard, we consider our work for CS6 a success."
I don't know many designers who consider negative feedback a sign of success. We're not talking about controversial fine art, but rather a way to communicate the power and legacy associated with Adobe's creative software.
If Adobe's goal is uninspired product branding that unnerves the very profession their software is marketed to, then yes, I would consider their work a success as well.
Adobe needs a good kick in the ass. Spend a day in any of their flagship design apps and let the pain begin. Inconsistant UI, constant errors... their products have gone down hill and Flash is no exception.
Adobe needs product leaders that care. I think Apple is not so subtly trying to send them that message.
