Smarter Questions for IBM

Folks, just discovered a new website that demonstrates how serious IBM is about Informix: http://smarterquestions.org In fact almost all questions are asked and answered by IBM itself and there isn't a single one that is covering Informix - just DB2. Well done, IBM (:- I just started to ask a few questions about Informix and I encourage you to the same here: http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ Let's give IBM the opportunity to provide some smart answers for Informix customers !

Hi Eric, I'm not so sure about your assessment for this site ... Here's what I found: It was a new information for me, that such a thing exists. If I was informed about this before ... it completly escaped my attention. But looking at it today, I saw that at least someone has already asked a question about Informix compression "1 week ago" ... :) Though admittedly I do not see an answer. I also have to admit, that the whole concept of the site doesn't seem too intuitive to me (though that can easily be my personal problem of not swimming on the tide of facebook, twitter and similar "things" ...). I've not yet understood how answers are connected to questions, i.e. how I can find an answer given to a particular question. Maybe this is because simply there are no answers to the questions I looked at ... Searching for "Informix" also didn't find any hits, i.e. didn't even show the questions. Maybe this is because searching is done only on given answers ...? The question on Informix compression was posted by someone of the name "Martin Hubel", who doesn't seem to be an IBMer, at least not by this name ... So I entered an answer to his question, via the small "Reply" button. I was then informed that my apply needs to be approved (as the qhole site is moderated). Let's see, what happens next ... Cheers, Martin -- Martin Fuerderer IBM Informix Development Munich, Germany Information Management Read about the Informix Warehouse Accelerator: http://tinyurl.com/the-iwa-blog IBM Deutschland Research & Development GmbH Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Martin Jetter Board of Management: Dirk Wittkopp Corporate Seat: Boeblingen, Germany Reg.-Gericht: Amtsgericht Stuttgart, HRB 243294 informix-list-bounces@iiug.org wrote on 05/30/2011 07:56:33 AM: > > Folks, > > just discovered a new website that demonstrates how serious IBM is > about Informix: > > http://smarterquestions.org > > In fact almost all questions are asked and answered by IBM itself and > there isn't a single one that is covering Informix - just DB2. Well > done, IBM (:- > > I just started to ask a few questions about Informix and I encourage > you to the same here: > > http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > Let's give IBM the opportunity to provide some smart answers for > Informix customers ! > > _______________________________________________ > Informix-list mailing list > Informix-list@iiug.org > http://www.iiug.org/mailman/listinfo/informix-list

Eric, I think you are forgetting this is IBM that we are talking about. Forget about the other divisions and even other pillars within SWG, just concentrate on IM. There are enough overlapping and different products that even IBM couldn't create a comprehensive product outline and strategy. But you have to look at this from a different perspective. This isn't about DB2 vs IFMX but RDBMS vs Big Data. IBM stuck their big toe in the water 2 years ago and got it bit off. (yeah they totally fscked that one up, that even I was surprised at how fscking incompetent they were. and I know how screwed up IBM is... ;-P ) So now they are tossing in 100 Mil. at the space. Hint... Money and Mongolian hoards won't work. (but what do I know...) So IBM is fighting to keep their products relevant. Speaking of which, why is Lester pimping Penta-ho when IBM has a couple of bi tool companies in the fold? But I digress. The point is that all of IBM customers have now heard of this thing called Hadoop and the client teams haven't a clue. Just to give you an example, earlier this year I spoke to an IBM client who is starting their first Hadoop project. He said he asked IBM about their efforts in this space. later he gets someone on the phone asking about his interest in "ha dooop?". My guess it was an IBM IT specialist asked to field the question.... So this website was created as a way to start making IBM relevant in this space. But hey, what do I know? It's not like I've been playing in the big data space for a while, or started a local Hadoop user group... Oh wait I did. ;-P On May 30, 2011, at 12:56 AM, Eric Herber <eherber1967@googlemail.com> wrote: > Folks, > > just discovered a new website that demonstrates how serious IBM is > about Informix: > http://smarterquestions.org > > In fact almost all questions are asked and answered by IBM itself and > there isn't a single one that is covering Informix - just DB2. Well > done, IBM (:- > > I just started to ask a few questions about Informix and I encourage > you to the same here: > > http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > Let's give IBM the opportunity to provide some smart answers for > Informix customers ! > > _______________________________________________ > Informix-list mailing list > Informix-list@iiug.org > http://www.iiug.org/mailman/listinfo/informix-list >

After some people asked some real smart questions, IBM installed a new slogan now in the area where you could provide questions: http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ "And while we would love to answer all of your IBM-related questions, Smarter Questions only considers the competitive aspects of IBM technology versus Oracle. " Good to know that Informix doesn't compete with Oracle from IBM's point of view. That clarifies some misunderstandings we had regarding IBM's marketing strategy for Informix :-) On 30 Mai, 07:56, Eric Herber <eherber1...@googlemail.com> wrote: > Folks, > > just discovered a new website that demonstrates how serious IBM is > about Informix: > > http://smarterquestions.org > > In fact almost all questions are asked and answered by IBM itself and > there isn't a single one that is covering Informix - just DB2. Well > done, IBM (:- > > I just started to ask a few questions about Informix and I encourage > you to the same here: > > http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > Let's give IBM the opportunity to provide some smart answers for > Informix customers !

"Eric Herber" <eherber1967@googlemail.com> wrote in message news:08a15eb4-81ac-4c7b-940a-1db012870f3e@dr5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com... > After some people asked some real smart questions, IBM installed a new > slogan now in > the area where you could provide questions: > > http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > "And while we would love to answer all of your IBM-related questions, > Smarter Questions > only considers the competitive aspects of IBM technology versus > Oracle. " > > Good to know that Informix doesn't compete with Oracle from IBM's > point of view. Are you sure that the appearance of this extra paragraph is related to a determination not to answer questions about Informix? Have any Informix answers appeared yet?

On 2 Jun., 12:11, "Neil Truby" <neil.tr...@ardenta.com> wrote: > "Eric Herber" <eherber1...@googlemail.com> wrote in message > > news:08a15eb4-81ac-4c7b-940a-1db012870f3e@dr5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com... > > > After some people asked some real smart questions, IBM installed a new > > slogan now in > > the area where you could provide questions: > > >http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > > "And while we would love to answer all of your IBM-related questions, > > Smarter Questions > > only considers the competitive aspects of IBM technology versus > > Oracle. " > > > Good to know that Informix doesn't compete with Oracle from IBM's > > point of view. > > Are you sure that the appearance of this extra paragraph is related to a > determination not to answer questions about Informix?  Have any Informix > answers appeared yet? Neil, you are right, it is probably not related. One Informix question about compression has been answered by Martin Fuerderer after he observed the existence of smarterquestions.org due to my posting here. The point is that this is an official IBM website and once again IBM demonstrated that Informix is still treated as "Cinderella". Several DB2 "smarter" questions asked and answered by IBM itself and not a single one related to Informix (:- What I also dislike is the fact that they suggest that this is an open platform where questions could be asked by customers and now deny to answer them as they might be considered too critical. If smarterquestions.org "considers the competetive aspects of IBM technology versus Oracle" I think it is legitimate to ask why they didn't mention Informix when denouncing Oracle's HP/UX Itanium strategy and it is also legitmate to ask why we don't see an official Informix TPC benchmark that would help us to compete with Oracle and it is also legitimate to ask how Neteeza and Informix Warehouse Accelerator compete with Oracle Exadata and it is also legitimate to ask what is IBM's preferred database solution for Smart Metering and it is also legitimate to ask why DB2 is advertised in print media and Informix isn't..... As always we need to kick them in the ass before they do anything for Informix. I don't know why I don't get rid of the feeling that IBM is still paying lip services to the loyal Informix community (:- The point is that this is an official IBM website and

If what you say is true and Eric feels strongly about it - I agree it doesn't look great - he should contact Stuart Litel and ask him to take it up with the IBM Informix/IM head honchos. "Eric Herber" <eherber1967@googlemail.com> wrote in message news:5386f1d4-1fc4-414b-887d-7ec3a9337fd8@d28g2000yqf.googlegroups.com... On 2 Jun., 12:11, "Neil Truby" <neil.tr...@ardenta.com> wrote: > "Eric Herber" <eherber1...@googlemail.com> wrote in message > > news:08a15eb4-81ac-4c7b-940a-1db012870f3e@dr5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com... > > > After some people asked some real smart questions, IBM installed a new > > slogan now in > > the area where you could provide questions: > > >http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > > "And while we would love to answer all of your IBM-related questions, > > Smarter Questions > > only considers the competitive aspects of IBM technology versus > > Oracle. " > > > Good to know that Informix doesn't compete with Oracle from IBM's > > point of view. > > Are you sure that the appearance of this extra paragraph is related to a > determination not to answer questions about Informix? Have any Informix > answers appeared yet? Neil, you are right, it is probably not related. One Informix question about compression has been answered by Martin Fuerderer after he observed the existence of smarterquestions.org due to my posting here. The point is that this is an official IBM website and once again IBM demonstrated that Informix is still treated as "Cinderella". Several DB2 "smarter" questions asked and answered by IBM itself and not a single one related to Informix (:- What I also dislike is the fact that they suggest that this is an open platform where questions could be asked by customers and now deny to answer them as they might be considered too critical. If smarterquestions.org "considers the competetive aspects of IBM technology versus Oracle" I think it is legitimate to ask why they didn't mention Informix when denouncing Oracle's HP/UX Itanium strategy and it is also legitmate to ask why we don't see an official Informix TPC benchmark that would help us to compete with Oracle and it is also legitimate to ask how Neteeza and Informix Warehouse Accelerator compete with Oracle Exadata and it is also legitimate to ask what is IBM's preferred database solution for Smart Metering and it is also legitimate to ask why DB2 is advertised in print media and Informix isn't..... As always we need to kick them in the ass before they do anything for Informix. I don't know why I don't get rid of the feeling that IBM is still paying lip services to the loyal Informix community (:- The point is that this is an official IBM website and

Just a clarification... Was Martin's response an *official* IBM response? >From the site, it looks like he was doing this on his own... And to the main point. This site is primarily dedicated to attacking Oracle and comparing IBM's SWG products against Oracle's offerings. So yes, there's nothing about Informix. Now why is that? Could it be that Informix isn't positioned against Oracle? I'll let that sink in.... (Wait a few minutes for the kids who ride the short bus catch up..) :-) ... Yes, they are really that slow and they're waiting for Stuart to catch up too! :-) ... Ok, now that we have everyone's attention... Remember the 'go to market' slide that was presented by Jerry Keese? If you rotate the circle one way, you had Informix. You rotate it the other way... you have DB2. While Informix could be positioned against Oracle, the default is to present DB2 against Oracle. The reality is that the slide placated the Informix crowd while in practice, it allowed the IBM sales force to focus on selling DB2. (And again for the slow people... The Informix product management team never quite understood what it would take to sell the S&D folks on Informix.) While Neil suggests that Eric talk to Stuart is kind of humorous. Stuart has been sucking on the IBM teat for so long all the while selling Informix customers 4Js products... Again the point is that IBM isn't going to listen unless you are one of the fortunate 50 customers who are large enough that the IBM S&D team covering you as an account all have brown necks. Unfortunately those same sales folks now suffer from Hypoxia so they still don't get it and the message is either distorted or lost. And since we have the slow folks still here... in short: IBM doesn't care about you. They don't make money, or much money from the Informix crowd outside of a few customers who also happen to spend a lot of money on other IBM products and services. Shout all you want... it doesn't matter. Even if Jerry Keese and crew listened and tried their best, they still will fail because they don't get out of the lab much. And sorry Jerry, dog and pony shows where your tech guys are trotted out to meet and greet existing customers doesn't cut it. Unless you own paper, or work with S&D on a regular basis... you will never understand. BTW, how did those "All Hands Calls" work for you? But what do I know? Oh wait! That was my job. I was in the lab where I tried to align the goals of IM with the S&D division on a daily basis. I held paper. I made deals happen... So I guess I really do know what I'm talking about. Which is why I can say that even 6 years since my escape from the borg, IBM IM Informix types still don't get it. And since I don't want to be seen as being negative... let me yet again offer IBM a *FREE*, albeit cryptic clue... "When you have a Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife, learn how to sell a Leatherman or a Swiss Army knife. You don't sell it as cutlery or flatware." Peace Out! -G PS. A special note to Jerry Keesee: Jerry, you really do need to get out more. Chicago is still just a short hop away from KC. > From: eherber1967@googlemail.com > Subject: Re: Smarter Questions for IBM > Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2011 05:39:23 -0700 > To: informix-list@iiug.org > > On 2 Jun., 12:11, "Neil Truby" <neil.tr...@ardenta.com> wrote: > > "Eric Herber" <eherber1...@googlemail.com> wrote in message > > > > news:08a15eb4-81ac-4c7b-940a-1db012870f3e@dr5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com... > > > > > After some people asked some real smart questions, IBM installed a new > > > slogan now in > > > the area where you could provide questions: > > > > >http://smarterquestions.org/ask-a-smarter-question/ > > > > > "And while we would love to answer all of your IBM-related questions, > > > Smarter Questions > > > only considers the competitive aspects of IBM technology versus > > > Oracle. " > > > > > Good to know that Informix doesn't compete with Oracle from IBM's > > > point of view. > > > > Are you sure that the appearance of this extra paragraph is related to a > > determination not to answer questions about Informix? Have any Informix > > answers appeared yet? > > Neil, > > you are right, it is probably not related. > > One Informix question about compression has been answered by Martin > Fuerderer > after he observed the existence of smarterquestions.org due to my > posting here. > > The point is that this is an official IBM website and once again IBM > demonstrated > that Informix is still treated as "Cinderella". Several DB2 "smarter" > questions > asked and answered by IBM itself and not a single one related to > Informix (:- > > What I also dislike is the fact that they suggest that this is an open > platform > where questions could be asked by customers and now deny to answer > them as they might be considered too critical. > > If smarterquestions.org "considers the competetive aspects of IBM > technology > versus Oracle" I think it is legitimate to ask why they didn't > mention Informix when denouncing Oracle's HP/UX Itanium strategy and > it > is also legitmate to ask why we don't see an official Informix TPC > benchmark > that would help us to compete with Oracle and it is also legitimate to > ask > how Neteeza and Informix Warehouse Accelerator compete with Oracle > Exadata and it is also legitimate to ask what is IBM's preferred > database > solution for Smart Metering and it is also legitimate to ask why DB2 > is > advertised in print media and Informix isn't..... > > As always we need to kick them in the ass before they do anything for > Informix. I don't know why I don't get rid of the feeling that IBM is > still paying lip services to the loyal Informix community (:- > > > > > > > > > > > > The point is that this is an official IBM website and > _______________________________________________ > Informix-list mailing list > Informix-list@iiug.org > http://www.iiug.org/mailman/listinfo/informix-list