from Fernando Lozano (Brazil)
The First IBM Certified Network Communications Engineer in Latin America

Mr Gestner,

I am an Independent Consultant with more than 10 years on the field. I've always worked with client/server computing systems integration. As my job needs I am certified on many IBM products (DB2, Net.Commerce, TS, OS/2, VAJ, and the list goes on). I am also both MCSE and MCSD, besides Sun Certified Java Programmer.

At my own work and many clients we rely on OS/2 Warp to many critial tasks. Although not satisfied with the heavy price tag, we were happy with the enhancements provided to Warp Server on the latest release and before through Software Choice.

But we are not satisfied with the recent decision by IBM not alowing any third-party to license OS/2 Warp as OEM to provide an updated client OS/2. We have a painfull proccess for every installation of OS/2, because of the number of fix packs and other upgrades required. But the value OS/2 Warp provides as a client OS and as a small server or development server  (many times we don't need Warp Server) far outweights this.

When IBM decided not to allow a third-party market a client OS/2 based on Warp Server core, IBM told us loud and clear: WE HAVE NO INTEREST MEETING OUR CUSTOMERS NEED. I am sure you understand the implications of this: we may not only switch away from OS/2, but we will likely switch away from any other IBM offering.

Who with perfect reasoning would have confidence on a corporation that locks a product that has a big and loyal user base, and that has many third-parties interested on selling complimentary products and services?

There was a day IBM could do this: we had nowhere else to get alternaties. Until recently, Microsoft could do this. Both companies were (are) very powerfull but lost many customers because they did not listened to customers requests when they were against some brain-dead marketing strategy. But today we have alternatives provided by Open Source Software. We can abandon IBM or any other big corporation that fail to meet our needs and still get a high level of quality on products and services.

Please reconsider this decision, Mr. Gestner. It would be much better for your customers and for IBM itself.

[]s, Fernando Lozano

@Macarlo, Inc.
@Macarlo's Shareware & Web
OS/2
Java Lobby Member
Java Site Accredited

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