As an analyst, developer, and manager, heres my tuppence worth
I strongly believe that Linux will gain a foothold. I am not saying that it will
displace windows necessarily, but there are increasing areas where linux looks
better. For example, the stable server/firewall market. Or the graphics,
scientific, games, and IT markets. Or the stuff that will be created by them
clever third world folks who eat less per year than the cost of M$ Winxx. Or the
laptop owner who sets up a dual boot machine so he can play in the linux camp
(me! - and I have earned money doing linux work).
So my dilemma is, how do I gain entry into the application writing world with the
skills I spent decades getting. Answer, have a play with Kylix. In very little
time I now create Win Delphi demos, proof of concepts, and IT sticking plaster.
And I sure would like to access the apparently juicy Linux software, (to give you
an idea, check out the examples at
http://aig.cs.man.ac.uk/systems/Maverik/gallery.html - free source, under
development now, bloody tasty for anyone with an interest in introducing boring
old computer data to the REAL WORLD). So Kylix can seduce me a whole lot easier
than the free C++ or other laguages that I could use. And I assume that Kylix
will give me the same RAD scope that I got from Delphi.
But two things are clear
1- I will not blow $5000 on the first taste of it, and
2- People like me will be specifying, designing, and proving Kylix apps if we
have a background with the product.
So I would urge Kylix marketers to consider lubricating the future by providing
it at linux prices. Remeber when the entry cost of a pascal compiler was NZ$1500
(UCSD Pascal for PCs, last century). Remember when Turbo Pascal was U$49.00 (pick
any late 70s or 80s Byte magazine to verify that price). There sure was a lot of
pascal sales because a lot of people sure wanted to buy it. And for you Borland
folks who complain that you need to earn money to get payed, try getting
employment selling UCSD Pascal now.
Get the picture?
Leo Ramakers
Kurt wrote:
> Mark Derricutt wrote:
> >
> > tOn Wed, 11 Oct 2000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> >
> > > Definately not free but I would have thought it would be cheaper.
> >
> > Out of curiosity, but what led you to think that? Because Linux is free,
> > or something else?
>
> Well this was certainly an expectation for me: many of the apps being
> ported have some sort of entry level giveaway, and most companies who
> port are trying to find some sort of service model (rightly or wrongly)
> ie: Oracle, Sun, Corel
> And it is fairly popular on the Evil Empire OS as well (Interbase,
> C++ Builder (compiler only), can I still say Netscape?)
> It would/will be difficult for anyone to come in with a high price
> entry to that 'market' (although lots of free exposure to the devs who
> read Slashdot - (yet another free software vs open source vs free beer
> debate...)). Doable but still difficult.
> OTOH Delphi has it's own fanatics and these are probably the initial
> target for Kylix (yes/no ?) rather than the free/open fanatics.
> It would be disappointing if there was not a
> free trial/free personal use/foundation release.
> (Borland can make all their money back on the Windows releases:
> the boss pays for those...)
> Also seen D4 given away on a magazine cd (unsure whether that was
> a time limited trial or what).
>
> >
> > --
> > "We don't guarantee anything except that it will take up disk space..."
> > Apache 2.0alpha5 Disclaimer
> >
> > Now Playing: Kittie - "SPIT" Live
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz
> > To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > with body of "unsubscribe delphi"
>
> --
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Kurt Wilkin Phone: (+64 4) 473 1480
> OO Developer Fax: (+64 4) 473 1515
> ACT Financial Systems,
> Level 10, Dalmuir House, 114 The Terrace.
> PO Box 10_278, Wellington. email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> ***********************************************************************
> This communication is confidential to ACT Financial Systems (Asia
> Pacific) and is intended for use only by the addressee. The views
> and opinions expressed in this email are the senders own and do not
> represent the views and opinions of ACT Financial Systems (Asia
> Pacific).
> ***********************************************************************
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz
> To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> with body of "unsubscribe delphi"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz
To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
with body of "unsubscribe delphi"
