Re: IBM dumb move #3,912,347

> Maybe we are heading down the PC road. No easily available manuals, just
> reference books that will cost us an arm and a leg to view.

i remember back in 1988, there was a big meeting on selling the new
as/400.  how to talk system 36 users into getting a system that would
cost more than $100,000 to replace a $40,000 system 36, but that's
another story.

they made this really big deal that the money you spend on software
would only be a one time deal.  no upgrade charges - ever, no charges
for manuals - ever, and they had comparisons about the long term
projected costs from the others vs ibm.

now i know times change, and situations change.  but i wonder how many
ibm customers were sold systems with that promise.

ibm is good at that.  they entice you with promises, and then when they
change their mind, they think everyone will just forget.    

customers have long memories, and ibm needs to focus on the economic
value of ticked of customers, instead of doing whatever it takes to make
this year's p&l look good.

nj
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