On 02/02/2018 17:01, Craig Richards wrote:
I'm not sure if the pricing is the same in the UK, but if it's of that
order of magnitude I'd certainly be interested.
As a contractor I usually have to make do with whatever my clients are
using.
Without my own AS/400 - is there a way I can purchase it for myself?
Will it be tied into a particular IBMi?
Craig, good to hear another voice from the UK! Like you, I work
freelance. I do not have an IBM i of my own but use (excellent)
timesharing services.
I DO have my own copy of RDi purchased through Passport Advantage. I
have an Authorised User licence which allows me to install on multiple
devices - so long as I am only using one install at any one time. I also
have an annual Software Maintenance Agreement (SWMA) which entitles me
to all upgrades, (e.g. 9.5 to 9,6) as well as the (already) free
Fixpacks. Sounds like a good deal, eh?
Now the crunch. The current purchase price of RDi is 895.00GBP. (As
others have mentioned, the Floating Single User licence is slightly
cheaper at 730.00GBP, but poor value in the medium-long term.) Oh, and
did I mention you have to pay tax on top which brings the total to 1,074GBP.
https://tinyurl.com/ycfg732x
At last renewal I paid 171.00GBP for the annual SWMA. It was all quite
straightforward to pay the sums through Passport Advantage. IBM has made
smartened up its "retail" outlet.
Now that I have RDi, I can use it against any number of IBM i servers.
It is most definitely _not_ tied to a particular IBM i. (If it was, it
would be a pointless acquisition.) I love RDi, The productivity argument
doesn't hold true for me personally as I don't crunch out lots of code.
However, as I deliver training in RPG IV, SQL, RDi, etc. I couldn't do
my work without it. For me, the greatest thing about RDi is that it has
injected an enormous amount of fun and excitement back in to things. A
voyage of discovery - if you enjoy learning new things. (I appreciate
there will always be some who don't like moving very far out of their
comfort zone and who just want to get on with the job. These folk will
never adopt RDi - unless the plug is pulled on PDM/SEU. No point in
trying to convert them.)
I have been griping on about RDi pricing and the (hypothetical) RDi
Lite. This is because in recent years I've encountered a significant
number of developers who want RDi but can't get it because the
purse-holders baulk at the figures I've given above. (Times it by 10 or
20 and the figures begin to look unhealthy.) I know IBM offers a
trade-in discount for RDi against ADTS licences, but the process and
costings are shrouded in mystery - and usually depend on the calibre of
the IBM Business Partner.
As others have indicated, the cost of RDi also makes it prohibitive for
most freelancers, students, etc. RDi Lite might help out here; the
60-day trial is certainly of no help.
Once upon a time the barrier to widespread adoption of RDi seemed to be
inertia and lack of awareness. I think this situation has shifted as
traditional SEU/RPG coders leave development (promotion? retirement?) to
be replaced by a small but younger group who expect to use a graphical
IDE. These newcomers won't stay with the IBM i for long if they are are
stuck in front of a green-screen - there's more interest and excitement
to be had elsewhere. These folk need the full RDi product - not the Lite
version. But they can't get it (easily) because of cost.
Once again I've ranted to the converted and worn out my welcome. My
apologies. At least I feel a little better for it!
I hope this has helped, Craig. Send me a PM if you'd like more information.
Brian.
midrange.com
