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

I think the idea of writing shareware/freeware utitlites is a great one,
even if for the only reason of practicing the latest techniques. Its
amazing
how much you can learn by writing a utility. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stone, Brad V (TC OASIS) [mailto:bvstone@taylorcorp.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 9:49 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




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim McCarthy [mailto:TimM@softwarejungle.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:07 PM
> To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject: RE: File editor Freeware
> 
> 
> The question I ask is why would anyone spend the time and effort to
> write this utility - much as I appreciate getting a copy for 
> free! There
> are several excellent packages available for a relatively small sum -
> certainly for far less than the cost of writing a similar 
> tool. There's
> no way I could justify spending time and resources on a project that's
> not really pertinent to the business and for which a cheap solution is
> already available. I guess there are more idle hands about than I
> thought.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:       Stone, Brad V (TC OASIS) [SMTP:bvstone@taylorcorp.com]
> > Sent:       Tuesday, July 13, 1999 11:13 AM
> > To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> > Subject:    RE: File editor Freeware
> > 
> > There will be a utility in the August issue of MC that is 
> very similar
> > (the
> > name is WRKDBF too).  When I edited it, I thought "This could easily
> > be
> > sold!"
> > 
> > Watch for it.  The code will be available for download at MC's site.
> > 
> > Bradley V. Stone
> > BVS/Tools
> > http://www.bvstools.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Guzak, Michael [mailto:Michael_guzak@goval.com]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 11:09 AM
> > > To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> > > Subject: RE: File editor Freeware
> > > 
> > > 
> > > This utility sounded great.  Unfortunately, there was no 
> > > mention on this
> > > list that it only runs on RISC boxes.   This is however quite
> > clearly
> > > communicated when you visit the web site.  I just wanted to 
> > > save any CISC
> > > guys the trouble of going out to get it and be disappointed.. 
> > >  I know I
> > > was... CISC guys lose out again... I know, I know,  
> UPGRADE.........
> > > 
> > >           -----Original Message-----
> > >           From:   Tim McCarthy [mailto:TimM@softwarejungle.com]
> > >           Sent:   Tuesday, July 13, 1999 11:11 AM
> > >           To:     'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> > >           Subject:        RE: File editor Freeware
> > > 
> > >           I downloaded this yesterday and have been 
> > > playing with it
> > > today. If
> > >           anyone doesn't have DBU they should snag a copy.  
> > > 
> > >           > -----Original Message-----
> > >           > From: Tim Shepherd [SMTP:tshepherd@lia.co.za]
> > >           > Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 4:06 AM
> > >           > To:   MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> > >           > Subject:      RE: File editor Freeware
> > >           > 
> > >           > I got the same, just keep trying and 
> > > EVENTUALLY it will
> > > give you the
> > >           > download. It took a LOT of attempts to get it to
> > >           > download...perserverance!!!
> > >           > 
> > >           > 
> > >           > Tim Shepherd
> > >           > Fraser Alexander Limited
> > >           > 
> > >           > 
> > >           +---
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