Comment The Medium Is the Message (Score 1) 388
To really see where "why would you want that at all" or "nobody needs that" or "the software is fine as it is" or such ilk come from, I recommend reading "Understanding Media" by Marshall McLuhan.
Comment VAX Users, Owners, Managers--whatever... (Score 2, Insightful) 463
The "VAX Users See the Writing on the Wall" article brings up some interesting issues. However, it could have dug a bit deeper. The title, all by itself, deserves some comment. Most VAX "users" probably don't even know they are using a VAX. Many of them are likely using character-cell based applications that get the job done day in and day out. It is the whining of the VAX owners and application managers to which the article really dedicates itself.
Speaking of dedication, who can feel sorry for VAX owners who have let the whirlwind of the last decade keep them from paying attention to the critical systems and applications that keep their business going? The applications must be critical since someone noticed when the system finally crashed. The applications must be substantial since they have not already been replaced by some GUI/BlahScript solution whipped out in a couple weeks.
Come to think of it, past efforts have probably been attempted to replace the VAX based applications but have failed for any number of reasons. I am sure you know of at least one multi-million YourCurrency development effort that was slated to replace some legacy application that either failed to deliver or was cut before it could be implemented. For the applications that actually do get replaced, if they have just been simply replaced by some point-n-click poorly designed GUI, they seldomly seem "more efficient" than the past application.
The real issue goes much deeper than just one model of computer, like the VAX. For any organization, there might be some critical function busy spinning on some tough solid box sitting softly in some unseen corner or closet. It might be a VAX, but could also be an HP3000 or a 3B2 or maybe even a 486 clone. In a decade or less, it will be one of the sexy new systems we wish we could afford today.
Speaking of dedication, who can feel sorry for VAX owners who have let the whirlwind of the last decade keep them from paying attention to the critical systems and applications that keep their business going? The applications must be critical since someone noticed when the system finally crashed. The applications must be substantial since they have not already been replaced by some GUI/BlahScript solution whipped out in a couple weeks.
Come to think of it, past efforts have probably been attempted to replace the VAX based applications but have failed for any number of reasons. I am sure you know of at least one multi-million YourCurrency development effort that was slated to replace some legacy application that either failed to deliver or was cut before it could be implemented. For the applications that actually do get replaced, if they have just been simply replaced by some point-n-click poorly designed GUI, they seldomly seem "more efficient" than the past application.
The real issue goes much deeper than just one model of computer, like the VAX. For any organization, there might be some critical function busy spinning on some tough solid box sitting softly in some unseen corner or closet. It might be a VAX, but could also be an HP3000 or a 3B2 or maybe even a 486 clone. In a decade or less, it will be one of the sexy new systems we wish we could afford today.
