On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 23:06:32 +0800 Chong Yu Meng <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Tom Marinis wrote: > > > Uhm, can I ask since your a contractor, what type of > > software out there are you seeing that MS has that > > these people need? > > Hi Tom, > > The trouble is, a lot of companies have legacy applications built > using Visual Basic or Foxpro, or some software that *only* runs on > Linux. These applications cannot be ported to Linux because : > 1. The source code is lost > 2. The required expertise is no longer in the company > 3. The data in these programs is still being used > > I worked for a lot of companies that have this problem, delaying > migration to Linux. Some of these programs were written years ago, and > contain a LOT of data in flat files or defunct databases like Foxpro > or dBase IV. Extracting the data may be easy (for some), but > re-constructing the program logic will be very difficult and > time-consuming, condemning the company to forever using Windows. It's > sad, but it happens. > So, how does one get the message out to these companies that they need to free themselves from reliance on defunct systems? Their day to day operations will always be comprimised by the inherent weakness of the M$ environment (when is the next worm due out?), and perhaps even their precious data can be lost. > I work in the telco industry now too, and I have to say that if your > application does not have some brand name behind it, like Microsoft or > Oracle, you can forget about clinching the deal -- even when the level > of support is non-existent no matter how much you decide to pay for > it. > Same here. It seems that only the success stories of those fortunate businesses that have seen the light will make a difference. > Incidentally, is there a prejudice against countries in the Pacific ? > I find that any support calls made to USA for tech support is met with > > excuses, while calls made from, say, Atlanta, are almost immediately > responded to. > There is also the related prejudice against things un-American. M$ is an American company and must be protected against the invasion of foreigners, especially the "Asian hordes". Not that I believe any of this crap, but it's a common sentiment of my fellow Americans. -- Collins Richey - Denver Area if you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for. _______________________________________________ General mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux-sxs.org/mailman/listinfo/general
