RE: flagship sunk

I agree 100% with point #7. I would like to add to it by saying I think the board members should *buy* their way onto the board. If they feel so strongly about Informix then put your money where your mouth is.... If the board wants to have a board meeting in Rio,,,pay your way there and let's hear what you got to say..... -----Original Message----- From: informix-list-bounces@iiug.org [mailto:informix-list-bounces@iiug.org] On Behalf Of Double Echo Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:06 AM To: informix-list@iiug.org Subject: Re: flagship sunk Eric Herber wrote: > david@smooth1.co.uk wrote: > >>"IBM should carefully listen to the points that DoubleEcho and other >>Informix followers mentioned and it would be encouraging to see >>immediate results. " >> >>Doubelecho etc need to not whine but say how things can be improved. >> >>Whine at me I'll tell you to fuck off. IBM people do not have that >>luxury so they smile and ignore you. > > > > I think this is not fair. DoubleEcho mentioned several points (like > IDS downloads without time limit) and we still got no answer on these. > BTW I appreciate his comments as he seems to be one of the few people > who realize what is really happening. > Thanks for your support. I typically don't expect much here, as there are too many too close to the fire to see what is happening. :-) > Did you read this: > > http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/68816 > Yes, another missed opportunity. It is really important to see the lack of parity between DB2 and Informix. And this is not an emotional view, it is important for people to see that if Informix were not purchased by IBM it would be competing with IBM. These two products would be competing openly in the market. IBM basically spared Informix an immediate death in the market, but now it keeps it on a short leash in the basement, away from the ballroom, never able to dance. Oh sure there have been advancements in the product, but technical advancements do not sell product, marketing campaigns sell product. When the sales people show up, they are backed up by a market presence that has been put in place by advertising and marketing programs. This means more than just a web site, a user group, and a few web casts. It means discrete advertising just like Tivoli, Lotus, Rational, and other IBM products. Let the market decide. So what to do... 1. Informix needs its own color on the IBM web site. It needs to be a product of its own, not under the umbrella of DB2 or 'Information Management'. DB2 should be its own product, as it already is. I would suggest a dark navy color similar to the original Informix color as the 'Informix color'. When you visit the IBM site, you should see the new Informix-colored box just like you see the green DB2, the yellow Lotus, the red Tivoli, and the purple WebSphere. This positions Informix as a separate product, a peer product, just as if we go back to the argument about car manufacturers--and I'm supporting the clown's arguments as well as everyone elses. This is consistent with what they insisted on, that you can sell peer products owned by one manufacturer. 2. Redbrick and other U2 type databases should also be moved away from Informix brand. They were purchased by Informix, and have little in common with IDS or XPS. They too need a life of their own. Most IDS users and customers will never touch this product or even understand its use. It is a niche product that also deserves a chance to develop its own market. By keeping it close to Informix it adulterates the Informix brand, and again, it causes confusion. 3. Developer programs. Again, move the handful of Informix developer programs over to a Informix-only developer website and programs. Make sure there are trade-press announcements for developer programs. Make sure ALL the Informix engines are available for download, and take off the crippling timeouts and any other thing that makes it not suitable for production. Today DB2 is good to go from download to production, Informix products should have the same track. When you offer the downloads, make the download area easy to find, and set it up under platform types. This will help technology people find patches, and other products easier. Put the products under platform, and bundle the necessary components as suites, to make sure when you download the server you find the other pieces for the client, etc. Today products are separated by product-type, all the servers in one area, etc. This is tedious and time consuming to have to hunt for everything. And makes it easy to miss something. I shouldn't have to hunt for all the pieces for a Linux machine, or an HP/UX machine, these should be under their own platform. 4. Trade press and other communications should emphasize autonomy of the Informix brand. To be sure we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water, the advancements to both products via technology sharing are a good thing, but each product should not be held back because one does something better than the other. Let the market decide what they want. Announcements should come ad hoc, infrequently and with competitive energy. 5. Marketing program. There should be real marketing, and real advertising of the Informix brand in trade press and other optimized methods to get the Informix brand out there. In the grand scheme of things IBM gets yet another REAL channel of their name brand ownership out there. It's owned by IBM, but it has a life of its own. Developers and the SMB space should have direct access to products, there needs to be incentives to using the product as a developer, and this will move the product into the widest audience for maximum product exposure. Developers are the first audience to go after, not the last. They will help you inside to get the product into the corporate space. Also start selling Informix pens, pencils, t-shirts, coffee-cups, and make these items promotional give-aways as incentives in developer programs. 6. Continue the efforts by the dedicated people who are on the road to make the product more visible. Get David some help and visibility on the FAQ. :-) 7. Dare I say, take the money away from the IIUG. If you're going to have end-user advocacy, then make sure it is represented honestly. The IIUG is too close to IBM, funded by IBM, and no longer is a voice for Informix users. If you need money, sell memberships and sponsorships, but keep your voice honest, and support the end-user first, not the vendor. Hold an eBay auction and make your way honest. I realize that having an IBM insider linked to your user advocacy is important but it adulterates your autonomy, and your ability to speak your mind. Let's get the IIUG back to real advocacy and real autonomy. Either do that or rename it to IBM Informix User Group, making it clear it is sponsored by IBM. That's all I have for now Eric. I appreciate your insights, and efforts. Kee

Hamilton, Jerry wrote: > I agree 100% with point #7. > > I would like to add to it by saying I think the board members should > *buy* their way onto the board. If they feel so strongly about Informix > then put your money where your mouth is.... > > If the board wants to have a board meeting in Rio,,,pay your way there > and let's hear what you got to say..... > Probably the most refreshing statement I've seen with regards to the IIUG in years. Money talks, bs walks. But keep in mind this would have to be tempered with some checks and balances. If the board is comprised of a series of big spenders, it could be corrupted as easily as it is today being owned by IBM. I would suggest that your idea bring along with it some kind of seat or seats on the board that are not purchased to make sure all users are represented and continue to have a voice. This is where the elections would connect with the broader constituency, and help to shape the message back to IBM, not only from vendors, but the rest of us who are in the trenches. There would also have to be some kind of requirement that those un-purchased seats have a required vote and weighted by the total number of non-paying members, kind of like a congress.

> > I agree 100% with point #7. > > I would like to add to it by saying I think the board members should > *buy* their way onto the board. If they feel so strongly > about Informix > then put your money where your mouth is.... > > If the board wants to have a board meeting in Rio,,,pay your way there > and let's hear what you got to say..... > [cutting] It is my understanding that Informix/IBM have always paid for the board meetings and the cost of the board members to get there. Not so sure as putting money where your mouth is, but the board members certainly put their time where their mouths are. Jerry I'm not sure how the meeting locations where chosen in your day but now there is a budget for each meeting. A city is chosen based on board members commitments, their physical location on the weekends proposed for the meeting and cost. Cheers Paul Paul Watson Tel: +44 1414161772 Mob: +44 7818003457 GO FURTHER with DB2 GET THERE FASTER with Informix. Attend the IDUG 2006 North America Conference. Tampa, Florida, USA. 7-11 May 2006. Visit http://www.iiug.org/conf for more information.