RE: I need Feature Card 2617 for old Model 500

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Allen
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:08 AM
To: 'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'
Subject: RE: I need Feature Card 2617 for old Model 500

Rob, 

You make some valid points but apply that same thought
process to the auto industry.
Wouldn't you be complaining if auto companies stopped
support (maintaining) any car more then 3 years old?

Actually, they already do this. Just try taking that 1939 Chevy into a
dealership for service.

Every automotive manufacture limits the number of years that they will
carry parts for a given model year.  This requirements gets passed on
down to the OEM part suppliers.  As I understand it, for most of the
starters and alternators we make here, there's usually only a 5 year
limit on service parts.  That means that we are only contracted to be
able to supply additional parts for 5 years after the part is out of
production and no longer being used on new vehicles.  But the contract
is done on a part to part basis.  I know of one part for one particular
model vehicle that has a 25 year service part requirement.

See here for a rant by a guy who can't get a part for a 3 year old
Infinity.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.efeec30

It would give you a good reason to purchase a new car, but I
am sure many people would be saying my car works just fine
for it's intended purpose I just need maintenance (support)
from time to time which are much cheaper then trading up for
the new models that do the same basic task of getting me
from point A to point B. 

I am not talking about adding new features to old cars I am
talking about support (maintaining).

 
It's not quite the same thing.  Since the car is mechanical, it is going
to have parts wear out.  Even if you never change how/when/where you use
it.

On the other hand, software doesn't wear out.  If you continue to use it
in exactly the same environment/way that you always have, you should
never even need support past the warranty period.

If you're making changes to the environment you run the software in or
how you use the software, then you can expect to need support.  The
problem is software is a heck of a lot more complex than vehicles are.
It would be ridiculously expensive to maintain support for an extended
number of older versions while continuing to add features and functions
to new versions.

Charles Wilt
--
iSeries Systems Administrator / Developer
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America
ph: 513-573-4343
fax: 513-398-1121