avast! used to enjoy a notorious reputation for never adding user-submitted samples into their databases, and I used to be part of the crew that knocked them for it every now and then. In reply vlk claimed that a new submission system would be implemented sometime in future, which would make it easier for the overworked viruslab guys to process and sort samples.
I didn't take that claim seriously then, but since a few months ago there's been a noticeable and periodic decrease in turnaround time, from 1-2 weeks to less than 7 days. I tend to submit 10-20 samples daily on average, and now avast! usually processes them all in a day or two. A very dramatic improvement indeed.
I'm duly impressed.
