🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1chfqbINNm2a@darkstar.UCSC.EDU> isbell@cats.ucsc.edu (Art Isbell)  
writes:
> 
> In article <1992Oct23.165355.18644@glv.uucp> bob@bobsled.glv.com  (Bob  
Lunney) writes:
> >In fact, Sybase has quit porting  
> >releases after Sybase 4.0.1 to the NeXT because it is too small of a market  
for  
> >them.  I don't find this to be a problem, since I feel the NeXT is better  
used  
> >as a query client and display/processing server than a database server, and  
> >with DBKit you can perform those functions much more easily on the NeXT than  
> >elsewhere.
> 
> While I agree that NeXTSTEP provides a superior Sybase client environment,  
the
> need to purchase a Sun (or some other supported platform) to run the latest
> Sybase server is just not possible for smaller NeXTSTEP developers.  Even
> though sales of NeXT versions of Sybase are undoubtedly slow, Sybase is being
> short-sighted in not providing a NeXT version of their latest server so that  
we
> can test our clients against the latest Sybase version without buying
> additional hardware.
> 
> If ObjectStore and Versant prove to be stable and powerful, then I will run
> away from Sybase ASAP if they do not provide a NeXT version of their server.
> The result will be lost sales of Sun, Solbourne,  
<insert_your_favorite_server>,
> etc. versions because we will guide our customers away from Sybase.
> 
> Sybase apparently doesn't believe that NeXTSTEP Sybase clients will be a  
large
> enough portion of their market to do the port.  Their inaction will ensure  
the
> validity of their beliefs.
> -- 
> 
> Art Isbell                                                      Cubic  
Solutions
> NeXT Registered Developer #745         NeXT software development and  
consulting
> Email: isbell@cats.UCSC.EDU                                Voice:  
(408)335-1154
> USmail: 95018-9442                                           Fax:  
(408)335-2515

While I agree with your conclusions to a certain extent, I also defend Sybase's  
position.  Sybase made a business decision - porting subsequent versions of  
their database engine to the NeXT costs them as much as porting to, say, a new  
Sun architecture, and let's face it, the NeXT is not a great data server.  (I  
know, I'm running 4.0.1 on my NeXT [32 Mg, 1 GB disk, 33Mhz '040] for  
development.  I also have 4.2 on RS6000's and a Sun, and 4.0.1 and 4.8 on  
several VAXen.)  Porting their engine to Novell Netware makes much more  
*business* sense, given the huge installed base of Novell servers.  

If I did not have access to the latest Sybase software and wanted to develop  
for it, I would make the *business decision* to cut a deal with someone who did  
have the software, or get on Sybase's VAR program.  Another possibility would  
be to find a consulting client that needed my idea, develop the software for  
them, while retaining the rights to the source and marketing.  Anything is  
possible if you are willing to negotiate.

Let me emphisize that I do not speak for Sybase.  I only work with their  
products, and for the most part, like them.  Someday I hope they change their  
decision to port Sybase to the NeXT, but I will not fault them for looking out  
for their own best interests. 

Incidentally, I am also very interested in what ObjectStore and Versant have to  
offer, but I'm not going to forsake Sybase any time soon.  Look how many shops  
still use IMS!

Bob Lunney		bob%bobsled@glv.com	(NeXT mail preferred!)
Encompass		919-460-3274

Disclaimer:  I speak only for myself.  I do not speak for Encompass or Sybase.