SCO and filePro

[Ron Kracht]

Fairlight wrote:
> Only Ron Kracht would say something like:
>   
>> You might want to call them and find out.  A direct phone call has a lot 
>> more likelihood of finding definitive information, or even influencing 
>> policy, than a posting in the mailing list.
>>     
>
> There's a problem I've had with fP-Tech (and other companies) for ages.
> Lack of transparency.
>
> It's always, "Well call and find out."  And you have no assurance that when
> 'x' party calls, they get the same deal as 'y' party.  There's no assurance
> that nobody's getting either the shaft or preferential treatment.  There's
> no public, set policy.  Now, the company either has one or they don't.  If
> they do, then why isn't it made public knowledge?
>
> It's all desired by fP-Tech to be private conversations behind closed
> doors.  And to me, that's a red flag that something -may- not be on the
> up and up--with any company.  It's not an accusation, but it's definitely
> something that makes me wonder more than a little.  On principle, it
> gets me more than a bit annoyed when they refuse to make a firm, public
> committment, popular or unpopular, and then stand behind it.  Management
> either has a position or they don't.  If they do, they should be making
> their biggest community aware of it, period.
>
> I know you're not in charge of it, Ron.  I don't mean to shoot the
> messenger, any more than when I've called Ken on similar situations (he can
> tell you I have).  This is something that goes straight to the top and has
> done for years.  It's wanted fixing for as long as it's been the default
> behaviour.
>
> mark->
>   
The point was, as Ken indicated, that if you want a official statement 
of policy don't ask in an unofficial location.  I don't know if what was 
asked about has been considered. I would expect that any significant 
number of inquires about this would have an effect on the decision if 
one has not yet been made. I'd also expect any policy change to be 
announced in the filePro Forum.

The not aware of any customer getting special deals.  We have a stated 
dealer discount rate based on volume of purchases. Our largest volume 
dealer gets exactly the discount they should under that stated policy.  
The only special licensing deal that I can recall is where a large 
Solaris user (over 300 licensed users) requested a Solaris specific 
hardware check which we added for them.  We have occasionally traded 
licenses for the right to include in, or with, filePro utilities and 
extras that we think would be of value to all of our customers

fPtech management has also been clear that they are willing to add 
features that would otherwise not be added if someone is willing to pay 
for the development of that feature. 

I think we have been perfectly transparent but of course that's like 
trying to prove a negative - very hard to do to anyone not disposed to 
believe you. I also know that public policy can be affected by personal 
contact which is why I would encourage people to contact fPTech 
directly. I'd also encourage people to come to the November conference 
in Philadelphia and speak to us directly. 

Ron