In a message dated: Thu, 07 Sep 2000 12:44:33 EDT
Greg Kettmann said:
>I agree with both statements but they completely miss the point.
I disagree. I think they clarify the point if anything. These are
meaningless statistics, and as such, don't help anyone determine anything.
> I used MTBF, although it's a hardware measurement, because it describes
> what I need. "Reliability" is more accurate but far more ambiguous.
Realiability is a better term than MTBF, but still vague, and completely
dependant upon the particular environment in question. And since no 2
environments are the same, "Reliability", as a statisic, can not really be
arrived at with any accuracy.
>I've read both responses thoroughly. They make perfect sense but fail to
>address the core issue. The fact of the matter is that when upper level
>management, or C-level executives, of multi-billion dollar companies are
>interested in deploying Linux, that's the language they speak.
Ahh, see, I disagree again. This is not the core issue. The core issue is
that upper level management seldom really understands what they are buying in
the first place. Therefore, using generic and meaningless numbers and
statistics gives them some warm fuzzy feeling inside so that when their
purchase fails to live up to those promised numbers, they have someone to yell
at and threaten with legal action.
Because of this, it should not be your job to find and then report these
meaningless numbers to upper level management types, but rather educate
them *why* these numbers are meaningless. Then explain why the competing
product is insufficient for their needs and why Linux is superior.
Should they insist upon these numbers, let them buy some other product
which comes with promised meaninglessness, and regret their decision
6 months down the road.
>I have three such "talks" scheduled over the next three weeks.
>As silly as their requirements may seem to us the
>fact is that they won't write that multi-million dollar check, and deploy
>Linux, without these numbers to back up their decision.
So? Who cares. Move on to the next company who truly understands what it's
all about. Let them choose the alternative OS. Then visit them again in 6
months and ask them if it lives up to the promised statistics, and if they've
remained within budget.
> My original question stands.
So do my original answers.
--
Seeya,
Paul
----
I'm in shape, my shape just happens to be pear!
If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!
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