Re: RDi Lite -- WDSCI-L

Yes, RDi doesn't include compilers, but you don't need as many seats as you
have developers. Most places I have worked put compiles into a single
thread queue, so you only need one seat for that. Free VS limits you to a
single compiler last I checked. Though you can download it once for each
compiler. And who says you can't build a working IBM i application with RDi?

On Mon, Feb 5, 2018 at 8:18 AM, Tim Fathers <X700-IX2J@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

You're not comparing apples with apples. It's been a while since I used VS
but even then it was a way more capable IDE than RDi and it includes all
the compilers, build tools, change management integration etc. etc.
required to build complete applications. The compiler licences for IBM i
are chargeable on top of the RDi licence, which isn't much more than a
basic editor built on top of an open source platform, it doesn't even have
intellisense yet! You get no build tools whatsoever with RDi or with the
compiler licences on the server. Also there is a free route into VS, so
anyone can pick up a copy and start to write working Windows applications.

________________________________
From: WDSCI-L <wdsci-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Mark Murphy <
jmarkmurphy@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 04 February 2018 23:16
To: Rational Developer for IBM i / Websphere Development Studio Client for
System i & iSeries
Subject: Re: [WDSCI-L] RDi Lite

Let's look at cost for a bit. Visual studio pro subscription costs > $1000
per
seat with a $800 renewal. Companies have no trouble paying for that. Visual
studio pro without subscription is $500 with no published renewal price. So
VS may, or may not be cheaper to start with, but it is always more
expensive long term.

On Feb 2, 2018 5:22 PM, "Brian Parkins" <goodprophet.bp@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=

https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fycfg732x&data=02%7C01%7C%
7C6e4cf3a320044b3aa45b08d56c1d00af%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaa
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30F9zj4Bs69L0%3D&reserved=0

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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