Re: MIDRANGE-JOBS Digest, Vol 5, Issue 180

From: Shadrach Scott

Joe what does your company do? Don't you make a tool that turns RPG into
Java? How is Java and C# not part of the conversation. That is the point
the iSeries has changed RPG is in decline and there is more competition
from people and technology like you sell.

There ARE companies that sell RPG to Java conversions, but thankfully we're
not one of those.

I sell a product that web enables existing RPG systems by replacing the 5250
interface with a J2EE browser interface. It is intended to increase the
usage of RPG, not decrease it. In fact, everything I do is about better
enabling RPG and the System i platform in general to work and play in the
modern IT world.

And I'm not saying there isn't a need for Java or C#, I'm saying that's not
what we're talking about here. The issue here is that the RPG market in
America is being undercut by a low-paid external labor pool, whether through
visas or outsourcing. And while it's my belief that the poor quality or
both product and management of outsourced projects has helped to mitigate
that particular threat, still the combination of the two has artificially
depressed the wages of American jobs.

Joe