I wonder if someone at IBM-Informix have had this thoughts... at least.

It would be awesome if it happen, but even now I don't see it how.

Maybe IDS will need to come to a point like derby for this to happen, whichever what it was.

Maybe IDS will need to come to a point like derby for this to happen, whichever the reasons had been.


-----Original Message-----
From: Double Echo <doubleecho@your.com>
To: informix-list@iiug.org
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 15:15:07 -0500
Subject: Re: Informix in the news! Part Deux...

Christine Normile wrote:
> We cannot guarantee what other vendors will do. However, we are closely
> engaged with the vendors mentioned below as well as many others. While we
> continue to work with these vendors to ensure support of IDS, we need our
> install base to influence the other vendors they purchase from just as you
> have influenced IBM. Oracle is currently working on certifying IDS v9.40
> with PeopleSoft and we are asking for certification on v10.0. Baan is in
> the process of certifying v10.0 and we are currently working on a strategic
> initiative with Baan. We continue to work with SAP and will keep you
> posted on changes.
>
> Users communicating with their vendors has the most significant impact on
> vendor behavior. I would like to thank each and every customer and
> business partner that helped to change IBM's strategy with Informix and I
> would ask that you all work with your other vendors to help us influence
> them to continue support for Informix.
>
> Christine Normile
> Informix Dynamic Server Product Manager
> IBM Software Group
> Information Management
>
> Phone/Fax 877.252.5399
> Mobile 210.365.5073
> Email Christine.Normile@us.ibm.com
>

Christine you are stating that you cannot guarantee anything either, which
is most of the point of any of this. It remains obvious to DB2 users that
they don't have to worry about the future of DB2, this product could not
possibly die because it is the "flagship" database product for IBM.

But there is nothing in the air that says Informix will not die. You can
say it has a road map, it has this, it has that, but without an active,
vocal marketing plan IDS has no chance of being taken seriously. In fact
it would stand a better chance in Open Source simply because it would be
accessible to a wider audience of people who could examine it, develop
with it, and give it eternal life. It cannot have eternal life the way it
is today because the owner has to apply common sense, and that means only
one product can be number one. All the others are less-than that, and have
to be considered only after presenting the flagship product first. This
is not rocket science. Trying to convince people that they can pick DB2
or IDS just confuses people when you do the analysis. They are peer
products. One has a bright future, the other will remain uncertain because
it is a step-child.

Since both products come from a commercial enterprise, business decisions
will shape the future, no matter what anyone says. Open Source is one way
to preserve IDS without having to lose face, in fact it bolsters it without
having to do anything--in that space it will automatically be number one,
and it will be there forever as long as there is an organization present to
support it. Then nobody can kill it, and its uncertain future evaporates.
In fact it would shake up the db market dramatically.




Jean Sagi
jeansagi@myrealbox.com
jeansagi@gmail.com
sending to informix-list