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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 thatCraig, good to hear another voice from the UK! Like you, I work freelance.
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?
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.
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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.
--
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