This is mostly for you folks who are contractors but I'd be happy to hear from anyone. I have a customer, Nashville Metropolitan Government, for whom I have provided flea market reservation/registration and buiding event rental software. (UniVerse.) I am a 1 man shop. I look both ways before I cross the street and so far its worked out. But the issue of continuation of development and support has come up for a second time; along with it the nature of my character based software and some reactions to UviVerse as a product. This is an email from the assistant director of the Nashville fairgrounds:
"Subject: ITS Help Selecting New Software Importance: High Our Flea Market and Corporate Sales components have been utilizing proprietary software that is ancient, and without documentation for many years. It has not been supported by ITS, and there is only one known person in the Tennessee area that can serviced this software. With the upgrade to Windows 7, it will not operate. Obviously, we need to purchase a package that will provide the functionality we need and that can be supported by ITS. I am requesting a meeting, with the appropriate ITS staff at the earliest possible time; to identify our needs and possible software packages that can be installed." He is incorrect in most of his conclusions, but this is his perception. I have left behind a number of great systems that are now defunct because management viewed them as "ancient". Does anyone else meet this attitude? My customer defended the system with the following email. "Ken Who said our software was ancient? It is not, it aids in insuring the revenue stream for both Flea Market and Facility Rental, you are correct that the software is serviced by one individual since he wrote the program, his name is Dale Kelley and he has other members on his team that know the software in the event something happens to him. As far as the upgrade to Windows 7 who said that it will not operate? This is certainly not the case, the software can be updated to run with minimal effort. You can contact Dale Kelley if you like, I have copied him on this e-mail. Thank you for your time Deborah" Deborah's defense included a small lie about the "members of my team"; I'm it. This system is written entirely in BASIC; no procs, no scripts. I always have the source code on the system; it's theirs to use as they wish. I would be happy to provide it for review. My question: is there anyone who would have any interest in taking over this and another government customer if I should become defunct or inoperable? I know there are some great people in Tennessee, but these guys could be supported from anywhere. I would also appreciate any advice on products and time required to mouse up the screens and present non-ancient images. I intend to arrenge a meeting with the Assistant Director to attempt to address his concerns and see if I can sell some services. Dale -- View this message in context: http://u2-universe-unidata.1073795.n5.nabble.com/Dump-truck-backup-tp42827.html Sent from the U2 - Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
