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

If you really want to make RPG cool, do the following:

1.  Stop calling ti RPG. Name it after an unusual animal (call it llama or
unicorn)
2.  Develop a linux version and offer it for free with Redhat
3.  Convince O'Reilly to do a book on the language, with an engraving of the
unusual animal on the cover
4.  Pretend the language has nothing to do with the AS/400.  Let people find
that out later
5.  Once they find out this incredibly cool language is supported by the
AS/400, they will want to learn the AS/400 in droves




At 08:59 AM 5/11/99 +0100, you wrote:
>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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