Re: George Farr declares featurespecificpricingonhorizonfor WDSC

So can you blame me if I get a little miffed when I see someone write that

IBM didn't deliver a thick client?

I can see where you are coming from.  Thanks for clarifying.  I would also
be miffed. 

Aaron Bartell


-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces+albartell=gmail.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:wdsci-l-bounces+albartell=gmail.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Booth
Martin
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 1:46 PM
To: Websphere Development Studio Client for iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] George Farr declares
featurespecificpricingonhorizonfor WDSC

I should have prefaced my remarks, both earlier and now, with this
disclaimer:  I like VARPG from IBM.  I spent a few years learning how to use
it and thinking in event-driven instead of cycle-driven design.  I spent a
great deal  of my own time and energy on VARPG, and loved every bit of it.
I installed several applications that, so far as I know, are still running.
The users loved the interface, and mangers were getting information in ways
they'd never seen it.

*But* VARPG never gained traction.  Career wise my efforts were a 
complete frustration and waste.   Great product, great solution, but 
everyone wanted Java.  I could deliver a working application before Java
designers even had their test bed completed, but so what.  They wanted Java.

So can you blame me if I get a little miffed when I see someone write that
IBM didn't deliver a thick client?

Anyway,

I am sure there are a lot of reasons that VARPG didn't gain traction but
IBM's commitment to it isn't one of them.

However, VARPG from IBM is native Windows, does run well, is easy to use for
an RPG developer, and it is thick or thin client, depending upon how it is
deployed.  It is not Java, it is not simulated Windows.

Let me repeat:  VARPG is native Windows.


The fact that the software runs a release or two behind is no real deal
breaker for very many RPG developers, I am sure, as most developers do not
get up to speed with new features for at least a year or so.



albartell wrote:

Being that you know so much about me and what I will and wont use... 
:-)

What exact IBM technology are you talking about?  

I am guessing you mean VARPG, which I wouldn't count as 'native' 
because you essentially have RPG.NET (ASNA) as far as I can tell.  And 
if memory serves me right, VARPG doesn't keep up to date with the 
latest releases of the RPG complier which gives obvious indication of 
how IBM views the product.  I am sure there are a number of other 
drawbacks with VARPG just as there are with Webfacing (read Java).  I 
want to re-emphasize that if it isn't native it wont last.  Of course 
if we are running "thick client" something has to NOT be native, but 
that is where the smart client concept could come into play

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_client).

To expound on my dreams of RPG, this thick client capability would use 
the concept mentioned above (i.e. smart client) and would simply give 
the RPG programmer a set of UI components that are created and fully 
supported by the RPG compiler team.  There would of course be a new 
version of DSPF DDS that looks nothing like it's fore fathers (more so 
for broad programmer acceptance - which would mean free form would be 
essential, or rather anything non-cryptic).

Aaron Bartell


-----Original Message-----
From: wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Booth Martin
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 12:32 PM
To: Websphere Development Studio Client for iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] George Farr declares 
featurespecificpricingonhorizonfor WDSC

You already have the thick client solution, and have for over 10 years. 
  Its RPG, its easy to migrate your applications, and it uses your 
existing data and skill sets.

But you won't use it.

albartell wrote:
...

Imagine having a RPG native way to create browser and thick client 
apps from the iSeries!  The probability of this happening 'natively'
is less the more I hear George talk though.  ...

--
---------------------------------
Booth Martin
http://www.Martinvt.com
---------------------------------
--

--
---------------------------------
Booth Martin
http://www.Martinvt.com
---------------------------------
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