RE: FW: Keyword on DSPF entry field

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Smith, Nelson
>
> No, REAL production problems get solved by grunt programmers in
> the trenches
> facing new fires and deadlines every morning. I've got 568 field
> offices and
> 27 maintenance programmers to support (herd) and, believe me, you cannot
> possibly think of every problem scenario that those folks can come up with
> (the programmers can be worst than the users).  With a staff this
> large, do
> you think management is going to pay someone else to support software that
> WE wrote?  Get real!
>
> The primary benefit I get from this list is quick answers from REAL
> programmers who have been there before. And, yes, I did RTFM
> before I asked
> for help, and I did receive two REAL answers already, before
> receiving your
> snide remarks.

I'd like to offer a little constructive criticism here.  Take it as you
will, or ignore it.

First, those of us who have been programming in this field know perfectly
well that this is a side effect of the 5250 interface.  Anybody who's done
any work with the 5250 has seen this, and any 5250 user understands it.  The
only people who don't know this basic fact of 5250 communications are people
who have never dealt with it.  Some of us may not have responded because
it's perfectly obvious to those of us who have actually worked with the
interface, and we didn't have the time or inclination to respond to an
obvious newbie post.

Second, the fact that your management won't pay for you to get support to
fix your programs is really not our concern.  PPOYPDNCACOMP.  Poor planning
on your part does not create a crisis on my part.  If you don't like the
response time you get from this list, we'll gladly refund the money you
paid.

Finally, the DEMANDING part is pretty annoying.  This crap about "C'mon,
guys.  This is a real production problem we have, and I've had no responses
from anyone, yet."  Guess what, Nelson?  You might not get any!  We aren't
here to answer your questions in your time frame.  The post about "software
support contracts" has to do with the fact that this list is VOLUNTARY,
unlike a support contract which you pay for.  Since this list is voluntary
(and free), if you post a question here, it may or may not get answered.
And whether or not your question gets answered may be based to some degree
on your attitude.

Just some thoughts.

Joe