RE: "RPG isn't cool" (was: Re: IBM Secret)

I agree again, it all comes down to marketing of the AS400 / RPG, not
the hardware or language itself!

-----Original Message-----
From: DeVries, Barbara [mailto:BDeVries@cfund.org]
Sent: Monday, May 10, 1999 7:07 PM
To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: "RPG isn't cool" (was: Re: IBM Secret)



Hans wrote:

Now, let's assume that being "cool" is a desirable
quality in a programming language.  If we were to try to
change RPG from an "uncool" language to a "cool" language,
is there a single easy thing we could do to improve the
language?


Barbara writes:
I don't believe that the structure of the language or it's ability or
the
AS400's ability has anything to do with RPG's and AS400's lack of
coolness.
IBM doesn't promote it's certification.  Nobody cares, whereas MCSE is
super-cool.
IBM doesn't have big shows at hotels for free every month to make people
feel warm and part of a family.
IBM doesn't give membership cards to an Insider's Club.
IBM doesn't have evening presentations for free with pizza at their
corporate office to help professionals use their products.   IBM doesn't
give free cool T-shirts, meet at the movie theater, give pins, pens, and
doesn't help with training materials except for their outrageously
expensive
classes.  There are no certification clubs.
It isn't cool because of attitude.  It isn't cool because it is not
attainable by youth with time and eagerness, but no money.
This lack of "coolness" hurts us professionally, as we lose opportunity
to
inferior products, services, and paradigms, in some cases (not all).
Just a comparison from where I sit.  I wish things were different, but
they're not.
My only recourse as a professional is to straddle the fence.  

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