Re: NT vs AS/400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Franz" <franz400@triad.rr.com>

> John - we are not that far apart...

Once we've found a way to put emotion aside and look at things objectively,
it's difficult to *avoid* reaching a consensus.

> In the pricing model, like any other manufacturer, you look at investment
to
> design & build, versus expected sales and calc a price. I expect to pay
more
> for a niche product like the iSeries versus the pSeries. Not looking at
the

There is a difference between paying a premium, and price gouging. AS/400's
have never been cheap, but the situation has reached a point where companies
are being driven off of the platform.

> Bob Tipton's been a great voice, but not the only one.

There's grumbling in the rank and file, but who's bringing the issues into
the limelight? Bob's position as a columnist and public speaker made him a
bit harder to ignore. Who's out there now asking Buell Duncan the hard
questions? The interviews that I've read sound like they've been scripted by
the IBM PR department. The same old generalized questions, resulting in the
same old tired rhetoric.

The demise of the platform troubles me, but it's a possibility (rather, a
probability) that I've accepted. However, what troubles me the most is the
manner in which it's being carried out. Loyal customers like you, I, and
others on this list are being hung out to dry in the process. I think we
deserve better than that, and it's unfortunate that we don't have an
advocate lobbying on our behalf to make the transition less disruptive.

No one is going to change IBM's mind about the fate of OS/400; chances are
that any decisions relevent to that were made years ago. What we need now is
a way to ensure that IBM offers us more favourable terms, regardless of what
their ultimate goals might be. This means things like softening the blow of
interactive feature charges, and pressing them for better tools and
education. Remember, it's the squeaky wheel that get's the grease, and the
AS/400 community isn't making much noise.


John Taylor
Canada


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