I'll try and be less trite in this post, I agree in principle with all comments, and yes in reference to Dicks comments, I know of a very large bank (where I used to work) which still uses 'older' technology, why, because its the best at performing a specific backoffice function. (if it isn’t broke don't...).
However, you have to be realistic and move with market forces if IBM Lotus (not considering websphere) has millions of less client seats than Exchange / Outlook, and IBM have said (as I understand) they are no longer developing /supporting but only offering limited support on future 'Lotus' products then you have to listen. The IBM architech I referred too (who I have previously developed with), was not expressing his opinion at the time.
Lotus is/was great at what it does, if it is still offering clients the managed data and business functions they need and the client really understands the limitations. But when your in the office till 10pm fixing back-ups of a 3GB client database with a team of developers and the boss breathing down your neck then your attitude to the 'power and flexibility' of what Domino can do may need a review. (the client said they can now not afford to move to an SQL platform as they spent so much money on the Lotus database development!)
I worked with Lotus and Lotus development teams since beta release 2.11b, and with various development teams through the years. Although I am an infrequent codestore visitor I think Jake is a very talented independant developer (as well as Lotus) and an excellent artist (thoughtful logos design, layout), who is already cross-developing and enriching his skills, we all need to take note, well done Jake.
Regarding Ruby I hav'nt really had time to look at this development framework, but in my experience the danger with all higher level frameworks per say is that you know the client is going to want such extreme customisation that you might as well build your own..!
Stay an independant developer Jake :-) keep up the good work.
I'll try and be less trite in this post, I agree in principle with all comments, and yes in reference to Dicks comments, I know of a very large bank (where I used to work) which still uses 'older' technology, why, because its the best at performing a specific backoffice function. (if it isn’t broke don't...).
However, you have to be realistic and move with market forces if IBM Lotus (not considering websphere) has millions of less client seats than Exchange / Outlook, and IBM have said (as I understand) they are no longer developing /supporting but only offering limited support on future 'Lotus' products then you have to listen. The IBM architech I referred too (who I have previously developed with), was not expressing his opinion at the time.
Lotus is/was great at what it does, if it is still offering clients the managed data and business functions they need and the client really understands the limitations. But when your in the office till 10pm fixing back-ups of a 3GB client database with a team of developers and the boss breathing down your neck then your attitude to the 'power and flexibility' of what Domino can do may need a review. (the client said they can now not afford to move to an SQL platform as they spent so much money on the Lotus database development!)
I worked with Lotus and Lotus development teams since beta release 2.11b, and with various development teams through the years. Although I am an infrequent codestore visitor I think Jake is a very talented independant developer (as well as Lotus) and an excellent artist (thoughtful logos design, layout), who is already cross-developing and enriching his skills, we all need to take note, well done Jake.
Regarding Ruby I hav'nt really had time to look at this development framework, but in my experience the danger with all higher level frameworks per say is that you know the client is going to want such extreme customisation that you might as well build your own..!
Stay an independant developer Jake :-) keep up the good work.