RE: AS/400 shareware/utilities - was RE: File editor Freeware

My comment wasn't intended as an attack - I hope you didn't take it as
such. I'm happy that people take the time to post code I can use for
free. The part I don't understand is corporate sponsored hobby software.
I think more IS departments need to question the relevance of what their
programmers are working on to the companies requirements and objectives.
Just because a programmer thinks he can create a better mouse-trap
doesn't mean I'm going to let him try. However if we already own one
then sure, we could share it - after we've investigated marketing it
:-).   

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stone, Brad V (TC OASIS) [SMTP:bvstone@taylorcorp.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 1:49 PM
> To:   'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject:      AS/400 shareware/utilities - was RE: File editor
> Freeware
> 
> First off, I didn't write it.  Someone named Ian Simmons did.  It's a
> very
> good article and utility.  It also uses some pretty neat programming
> techniques, which is the main purpose of such an article.
> 
> Second, I understand that a lot of folks are busy, but other
> (including
> myself) use spare time to write utilities that make other's jobs
> easier.  We
> not only learn programming techniques that wouldn't be used at a
> normal
> everyday app. programming job, but we also get the chance to help
> those that
> don't have the time to write such utilities.
> 
> My question is this... Why are there millions of shareware products
> for PCs,
> but virtually zero for the AS/400?  Those of us that write shareware
> for the
> AS/400 are simply filling a void in the industry.  Someone has to do
> this to
> keep the prices of other products marketed down.  I myself have
> written at
> least two that have been "copied" by real vendors.  (mine work better,
> though...heheh)  
> 
> I've even had comments when responding to posts in a situtation that
> my
> shareware will help, a vendor will post "ours will help you... and
> it's NOT
> shareware."  I take this as a compliment... :)  The only real
> difference
> between a vendor and myself is I don't have a DBA name and tax license
> and I
> don't write mine for profit.  I can also provide better support in
> most
> cases since I am CEO, CIO, CFO, President, Manager, Customer Service,
> Programmer/Analyst, etc.. etc... of my shareware company.  Just ask my
> "customers"!  ;)
> 
> To each his own.  Hopefully one day shareware will be big in the
> AS/400
> industry as it is with PCs.  The more people writing solutions to
> problems
> the better off we will all be.
> 
> I've heard both sides of the story on this one.  Some folks claim to
> be too
> busy to write utilities, and others "just write it themselves".
> 
> Bradley V. Stone
> BVS/Tools
> http://www.bvstools.com
> 
> 
> 
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