Re: IBM DB2 serious alternative to Oracle/Informix?

John Brock wrote:

> I've seen DB2 criticized for having a steep learning curve, but I've
> never seen anyone criticize it's color scheme! Do you really think the
> original poster was interested in that? In any case, there is a new
> version coming out, called DB2 Universal Database, which will add a lot
> of graphical tools to supplement (replace?) the current CLI interface,
> so maybe IBM has been addressing this critical problem.
>

On balance, yes my original post was a bit excited, but not intended to be hostile. I'm just not a very good writer. But if I can attempt to clarify here, I would add that an interface is indeed important, and the DB2 interface just left me cold blue. From a utilitarian standpoint, the engine may kick ass, but I would hate to have to wade through the interface trying to figure it out. Maybe the newer DB2 Universal will have a better GUI.

> If IBM -- which controls the mainframe DB market but doesn't have much
> of a foothold in the client/server world -- were really interested in
> swaying non-DB2 people to DB2, their best bet might be to try to buy
> market share, by selling what is generally acknowledged as a world
> class database engine at fire sale prices. Hey! According to the
> original poster, that's exactly what they're doing! If DB2 on Unix and
> NT really does have a 10 to 1 price advantage over Oracle and Informix
> (can that possibly be right???) it strikes me as a *much* stronger
> incentive than a well coordinated color scheme.
> --
> John Brock
> jbrock_at_panix.com

FWIW, I agree with building market share by using low prices. Obviously this alone will not drive the market. Consider how well some OS products are doing with this scheme. If a product is good, a low price makes it a steal. If it ain't, it don't matter. :-) DB2 on NT needs more tools as well as a better GUI--at least for me, as I'm not a DB2 person. This is all relative and just my 2 cents.

The performance on NT may also be a complete misnomer comparing it to UNIX, or even MVS. Each and every product and platform must be evaluated on its' own terms, not TCP benchmarks or advertising hype, and I include all vendors in this. As I said before, DB2 will be exciting for DB2 people, but I can tell you there are plenty of other non-DB2 people out there that will not be impressed. I get the feeling also that IBM is playing catch-up in an already crowded NT market.

With malice toward none,

Tim

-- 
Tim Schaefer                  \\|//               
tschaefe_at_mindspring.com       (6 6)               
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