Re: IBM getting rid of RPG

["Chris Rehm" <javadisciple@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "srichter " <srichter@mail.autocoder.com>
To: <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 5:33 PM
Subject: Re: IBM getting rid of RPG


>
> Chris,
>
> I am curious to know if you agree with the following stmts:
>
> Server models have been made less competitive by ibm because the
interactive features have been removed.

I don't know. I would like to think that there is a market for the
interactive server side applications. I just don't see it creating a lot of
market right now.

> The interactive features of the iseries are useful in the server market.
The ability of 100's of users to telnet into the server and access proven
terminal based applications is a significant competitive advantage over NT.

You and I both know that is a benefit. I'm not sure how marketable that is,
though. I mean, there are a lot of text apps available for Unix. But I don't
see them selling the platform.

I feel that the applications available on the AS/400 are definetely useful
and should have value to users.

> The removal of the interactive capabilities of the system is not a minor
matter. Without it, the system is less easy to use, many fewer pgmrs know
how to pgm the system, and the range of applications available to run on the
system is reduced.
>
> Sales and acceptance of the iseries is diminished because of the removal
of interactive from the server models.

Here is where it gets confusing. I don't see it as if IBM is removing some
features from the AS/400. I see that IBM is now marketing new models which
don't necessarily include the same options the old models did, at the
buyer's choice.

I wish IBM would include it all for free. When they don't, I don't consider
that they are "ripping me off" or that they have some conspiracy to kill a
part of the market. I imagine they would not like to lose the profits they
are currently making from the AS/400 market and they want to add server
profits as well. If they are losing market because of it, I don't think that
is part of their grand design.

> Steve Richter

Chris Rehm
javadisciple@earthlink.net
If you believe that the best technology wins the
marketplace, you haven't been paying attention.


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