Re: IDS Feature Request List (including potential new requests).
Not a technical problem thread: it's a discussion/advocacy exchange about IBM's commitment to Informix and its positioning as an "embedded database of choice," prompted by a list of IDS feature requests. Participants debate Informix's revenue and future under IBM, argue that users should take ownership through grassroots marketing and user groups rather than relying on IIUG or IBM alone, and one poster notes he helps run the UK user group and maintains the feature request list. No technical issue or resolution is recorded.
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rkusenet wrote: > "Two Pence" <twopence@peanutgallery.org> wrote:- > > >>Intuitively obvious! Only $100 million USD ( approx ) in revenue for >>Informix for last year. > > > Only in new license sales. It does not mean that that's all > IBM made from entire Informix products last year. What about > maintenance from existing customers? > > Imagine having the penny-counting resources of IBM, and the projections of sales based on reality. Imagine those projections determining the business case for a product. This is the future of Informix or any product. IBM not only sells DB2 as a data base, they also use DB2 as a 'registry' database on iSeries, if I'm not mistaken. Which database do you think will survive, given the $$$ investment in both products? The last known good profile of Informix as far as IBM is concerned is that it is an embedded database. Nowhere to go but up! They basically entombed it technologically with the swipe of a pen, or in this case, a powerpoint slide.
"Two Pence" <twopence@peanutgallery.org> wrote in message news:YVgzf.54590$W7.34983@fe05.usenetserver.com... > rkusenet wrote: > The last known good profile of Informix > as far as IBM is concerned is that it is an embedded database. Nowhere > to go but up! They basically entombed it technologically with the > swipe of a pen, or in this case, a powerpoint slide. Don't agree with much of what you say, but I would expect this message ("Informix is the embedded database of choice") with its "Never mind, you *did* win the consolation prize", to be an early casualty of any increased focus on Informix.
Neil Truby wrote: > "Two Pence" <twopence@peanutgallery.org> wrote in message > news:YVgzf.54590$W7.34983@fe05.usenetserver.com... > >>rkusenet wrote: > > >> The last known good profile of Informix >>as far as IBM is concerned is that it is an embedded database. Nowhere >>to go but up! They basically entombed it technologically with the >>swipe of a pen, or in this case, a powerpoint slide. > > > Don't agree with much of what you say, but I would expect this message > ("Informix is the embedded database of choice") with its "Never mind, you > *did* win the consolation prize", to be an early casualty of any increased > focus on Informix. > > One could only hope. Are you willing to let IBM chart the future or would you be willing to be the captain(s) of the ship? Wouldn't it be a great idea to push Informix-at-large, i.e. the IIUG and staunchest of staunch supporters to come up with a phrase that means what you want Informix to mean? Take some ownership of Informix if it really is worth it to you and get people engaged in the process. Hold a contest, give out t-shirts, pens, an ipod for chrysakes, and get people involved. I see plenty of failures with Informix and IBM for whatever reason, but I have yet to see any one group of people here or even the IIUG really invoke some marketing that is meaningful and put some skin in the game. The IIUG is somewhat tainted by virtue of its financial relationship with IBM, so perhaps something a bit more independent and grass roots would work. I could be wrong, but it has been known to work in the past. IBM has shown a willingness to listen but unless you get a broader sweep in the market you may as well give up. There has to be some kind of quid pro quo... allow the broadest of influence to bubble something up and make sure it is rewarded.
Ob Quote "Take some ownership of Informix if it really is worth it to you and get people engaged in the process" I have done. I helped restart the UK User Group, joined the Steering Committee. Maintain the new list of Feature Requests.
david@smooth1.co.uk wrote: > Ob Quote > "Take some ownership of Informix if it really > is worth it to you and get people engaged in the process" > > I have done. I helped restart the UK User Group, joined the Steering > Committee. Maintain the new list of Feature Requests. > Good! But don't rely on comp.databases.informix or the IIUG. You must go where others cannot follow. Your work may have to continue without praise, or approval from those around you, and may require you to be at odds politically with some of your peers. It is precisely going against the status quo that will be required. Your work so far shows you have what it takes. You need a mass ground swell of developer support from outside the base. Ipods, PSP, software, etc will be needed, and have to come from IBM. Should be a monthly campaign to get momentum. Good Luck!
>I have done. I helped restart the UK User Group, joined the Steering Committee. Maintain the new list of Feature Requests. Thanks, I appreciate your commitment.