[AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what might happen (RANT)

Ken Ismert KIsmert at TexasSystems.com
Wed Feb 11 10:55:43 CST 2004


I work for a small manufacturing firm. We have a DOS program that does
heater size calculations that must be at least 13 years old. Is it
up-to-date? No. Does it have a slick interface? No. Is it still useful? Yes.
The engineering calculations it performs are just as valid today as they
were when it was introduced.

Why not rewrite it to use the latest technology, and code it with proper OO
methodology? Well, it is tested and trusted. The users are familiar with it.
It works. We don't have the source, so we don't know precisely how the
calculations are coded. A rewrite would involve a long and exacting testing
process. And what would we get? Something that does basically the same thing
as before.

Now, there may come a day when this program doesn't run properly on a new
Microsoft OS. Or, perhaps we'll get a comprehensive new software package
that subsumes these functions. But we can't afford just yet to divert
precious time and resources from higher-priority needs to fix it. It simply
isn't a profit-making proposition.

-Ken

-----Original Message-----
From: Haslett, Andrew [mailto:andrew.haslett at ilc.gov.au]
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 9:36 PM
To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
Subject: RE: [AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what might
ha ppen (RANT)


All true, but  the issue raised was: "How many companies would still be
running DOS if they had a choice? I bet a lot, because it is the function of
the software that really matters in business, and not so much the underlying
technology."

The 'function of the software' of the many applications running today,
simple would not be capable of running under DOS due to its limitations,
hence the reason why alternatives have been designed.

I'd say that companies wouldn't really care what the underlying OS is, as
long as their apps of choice would run.  I can't see many cases at all where
an org would *choose* to run an application under DOS if they had the
choice.

This whole discussion of 'leave Access alone its not broke' is raised
whenever new versions are released.  Its unfortunate that many are unwilling
to even consider the advances that could be made.  I'd be interested to know
how many here have actually used Visual Studio and/or programmed in .Net.
If not, I don't see how you can pass judgement in this areas on possible
improvements, advances or tools that you've not used.  (Yes, I
professionally program in this environment and consider the framework /
languages and environment superior to that of the Access IDE, which I have
thoroughly enjoyed using for the past 10 years).

We work in a dynamic industry that is constantly changing. Some of us seem
to refuse to adapt or accept change and others look to the future.

Cheers,
Andrew



-----Original Message-----
From: DWUTKA at marlow.com [mailto:DWUTKA at marlow.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 February 2004 12:17 PM
To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: RE: [AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what might ha
ppen (RANT)

Technically speaking, Andrew, there are a LOT of companies running DOS.  Any
company that has a Windows 9x machine is still running DOS. (Of course, it's
7.1 and 7.2 for 95 and 98 (no idea what it is for ME)).

After DOS 6.22, SHARE.EXE was added, which provided multi-tasking
capabilities for the OS, and it is what Windows 9x uses.  Windows 9x is
technically a GUI, not really an OS, where as NT based systems are using NT,
versus DOS.  (You can't boot to DOS in an NT system, because DOS isn't
present anymore.  In ME, you couldn't directly boot to DOS, simply because
MS wanted to make it more difficult to actually get to the true OS.)

Drew

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Haslett, Andrew
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 5:55 PM
To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
Subject: RE: [AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what might ha
ppen (RANT)


>> How many companies would still be running DOS if they had a choice? I
>> bet
a lot, because it is the function of the software that really matters in
business, and not so much the underlying technology.

And you honestly believe that the capabilities (functionality) of DOS would
support todays applications...  You've got to be kidding me.


-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Ismert [mailto:KIsmert at TexasSystems.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 February 2004 3:50 AM
To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
Subject: RE: [AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what might
happen (RANT)


I guess I was trying to get two points across about open source:

* Open source projects tend to have a much longer life cycle. I mean, how
long has perl and BSD been around? This gives practitioners enough time to
not only master their skills, but use them productively.

* If you base strategic company assets on an open source platform, and it
falls out of disfavor, you are not forced to rewrite/upgrade simply because
it is obsolete. Since you have the source, you can maintain and extend it as
long as you wish.

It seems the longer life cycle of open source better matches the typical
business life cycle of a software product. How many companies would still be
running DOS if they had a choice? I bet a lot, because it is the function of
the software that really matters in business, and not so much the underlying
technology.

-Ken


-----Original Message-----
From: Charlotte Foust [mailto:cfoust at infostatsystems.com]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 7:27 PM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: RE: [AccessD] Next Version of Access 12 Musings on what
mighthappen(RANT)


>>But at least Open Source will never force you to abandon software you
like.

ROFTL
Famous last words!

Charlotte Foust

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