Re: Informix running on Linux

Doug McAllister wrote: > > Richard Stanford wrote: > > > .....prior domments deleted > > -Richard > Think about this for a moment... > > The overhead for Informix to do a port to any platform and then to > maintain it is about the same regardless of whether it is for Linux, > Solaris, or what-have-you. Now think about the return on investment for > that effort. As an ex-engineer, what capacity were you in? Did you actually tabulate the ROI for Informix for the various ports? Don't run and hide on me, answer my question. > Does any one think that the ENTIRE Linux market could equal > ONE large 'mainstream' deal? It would surpass anything you've seen to date, provided Informix gets with the real world and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for it. They obviously don't understand mainstream marketing. And you obviously haven't used Linux. Of course, you're just a follower and can't offer any real leadership here. > Do you think that the shareholders of > Informix would stand for something like that? How does one arrive at investing in Informix? Don't they look at the long-term as well as the short-term strategy a company is willing to make? The New Era is quickly coming to a close. If Informix is to be "like Microsoft" or "like Oracle" they need to start acting like it. They need to invest in their customers adn developers, and retain their current investments. For crying out loud, it's so simple. > Also remember that Informix is not a non-profit organization and they > can't give something away. Anyone that is using Linux already proves > that they won't pay for software other than some 'token' fee. Talk to Microsoft about this. They seem to defy your arguments. And McAffee, who made $15million+ his first year in business, licensing "freeware". ( Search Computerworld or Infoworld archives ) You obviously haven't read any of the other threads regarding this. Maxium market penetration is achieved through saturation of the market with the product you're attempting to sell. This means you don't charge usurous prices for your product, thus allowing the widest possible market to buy your products. Microsoft figured this out long ago. > Also, how many developers that are > developing on Linux and that want Informix are going to put their > product out for the same minimal profit percentage that they expect > Informix to take? What minimal percentage? I really don't care that Informix makes a minimal profit off Linux. Sounds cold, but quite frankly, if I said the same thing about Microsoft, you would yawn, and instantly "get it". Microsoft makes billions off "apparently" low margins, but only in the context of single-unit metrics. They make up for apparently low single-unit sales from corporate sales, and other big-block sales, not to mention training and single-unit support models. Microsoft is no longer micro, they dominate. So what if Informix doesn't make any money off a Linux sale. So what if the guy or gal who gets Informix on Linux makes a ton of money off of it. They'll come back to Informix, probably on a bigger system, and but more. The simple math to this is you develop software, and sell it at a profit. But if you have to pay usurous prices just to get the damn software, you cannot get ahead. And I'll be damned if I buy development software on a loan. It's paid for or I don't mess with it. The data base software by the way is only part of the equation. There's hardware, installation, support, maintenance, and OTHER software besides the data base. But as an engineer, you're not aware of this. You're more interested in your 401K and dental plan. And don't think that Java and NCs are going away. The idea that I can put together a 10 Java-terminal with one Java-server is not far off. NCs are another market that is coming up. Linux confirms, like NCs, that BIG companies as well as tiny ones are concerned about the high cost of computing. As a real software developer you're going to consider cost first above all else. As the cost increases you find the least path of resistance, and go with the least expensive solution. The total cost of ownership for these emerging products is quite attractive, so don't high-horse the discussion with your engineering ROI crap. ( And even if Linux costs me, it does better on x86 than any other UNIX I've seen. I hope someday to see the DEC-Alpha release ) > So lighten up and find some free database software to go with Linux. > When you decide to do some SERIOUS development, then maybe you will > spend the money for some serious software. > > Doug McAllister > ex-Informix engineer Hey ass****, When YOU become a serious developer and pay for the software out of your own pocket, instead of somebody else paying for it, then join the discussion. I bet you didn't have to plead with anyone to get a copy of Informix DSA for development. You obviously don't understand what it's like to be a real software developer, and making a living at it. I don't want to have to spend thousands of dollars for Informix software just to make money with it. And I shouldn't have to work in corporate slimepits just to make a living. Arrogance and ignorance. You prove it. If you are any indication of what's going on at Informix it's no wonder they're in the shape they're in. - Tim Schaefer \\\\|// tschaefe@mindspring.com (6 6) ------------------------oOOo---( )---o00o--------- http://www.inxutil.com