Re: interesting /. story on RPG

[James Rich <james@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 20 Feb 2002, Nathan M. Andelin wrote:

> IBM comes out with a Linux only iSeries, so the next step is to port native
> OS/400 applications to run under Linux?  Sounds a bit far out in left field

Some posters mention that OS/400 applications should remain where they
are: on OS/400.  I think the main jist was porting RPG to linux.  I guess
people feel that if the iSeries can run linux, then linux ought to run the
iSeries (most common) compiler.

> to me!  Why would anybody want to do that?

I can think of some very good reasons.  Suppose that linux and OS/400 can
be made to be about equally reliable (my experience is that they are when
using suitable hardware).  Many smaller businesses cannot afford an
iSeries.  But linux is within their reach.  My company would love to sell
them software, but we don't want to rewrite our iSeries apps.  We could
sell them our software if it ran on linux.  Whether or not they really
need powerful accounting software is up to them :)

As a business outgrows it small beginnings it needs software to grow with
it.  If we could get our foot in the door earlier and run our software on
their linux servers when they are small, chances are good they will run
our software on their big new iSeries when they grow up.

Apple and Microsoft do the same thing by promoting their computers to
schools.  Get 'em while they're young and they will probably stick with
you.  I don't agree with Microsoft's business tactics but they are
effective.

James Rich
james@eaerich.com