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Re: Unix vs. NT ... was Re:(ASCEND) analyse RADIUS logs

 Robert Fournerat <robert@netin.com> wrote:

 >I believe I understand what you have said.  However, 
>
>         IF ASCEND IS LISTENING, 

Yes, I'm sure that many people inside Ascend are aware of this
situation and if allowed to vote on this that they would vote:

  "Support UNIX more thoroughly."

But, they are probably not asked (or allowed) to vote. Those
that make this decision have:

 1) already made it and don't want to revisit the decision,
 2) or do not understand the discussion,
 3) or look at the numbers and decide that the UNIX market
	is to insignificant numerically to justify the monetary
	investment.

Would I make the decision to invest in this? ... YES, I would
certainly want to.  On the other hand if I were completely
aware of all that Ascend has on it's plate and what resources were
available would I? ... I honestly don't know.

>I would like to make it perfectly clear to them that my 
>company, albiet a small ISP, DOES NOT and WILL NOT buy/use/or in 
>any way support Microsoft products.  

A formal printed snail-mail letter will get more attention than e-mail.
Thousands of them from ISP's will get more attention.

While I share your apparent distain for M$, I'm not ready to
tie the rock around my neck and try swimming upstream.  At least
not today and probably not next week ... maybe someday?

I'm willing to "prostitute" myself to some degree 

   I used to do this for fun.
   Then I did it for my friends.
   Now I do it for money.

and to set aside my personal feelings about M$, I'm in business to 
make $$$.  Would I like to minimize the "prostitution" aspect of that 
ABSOLUTELY.  Will I do that when it clearly closes the doors on my 
business opportunities, NO.

>This affects Ascend in that we do not recommended the MAX 200+ 
>product specificly for the reason that it is designed to be 
>configured by some non standards based, windows only product.

You are preaching to choir my son.  I understand, and my sympathy and
best wishes are completely with you, even though I'm not willing to take 
the extreme stand myself.

Do you deal directly with Ascend?  If so talk to your Ascend rep about 
this, find out who in Ascend makes these decisions. You need to convince 
that person that Ascend is missing the boat/opportunity.

>I hope that others with similar opinions, will inform Ascend
>of their thoughts, lest Ascend continue this practice.

Ascend will listen if enough complain.  How many is enough? Only
Ascend knows the answer to that one.

At the next ISPcon set up a booth (or at your booth ... or at some
sympathetic to your cause booth) and have a pre-printed letter available
for others to:

  1) put their name on,
  2) add comments to.

Which outlines what you'd like to see Ascend do with regards to UNIX based
ISP support.  DO NOT BASH NT. It won't do you any good Ascend is not going
to give up on NT.  It will only make you look like a religious zealot and 
they'll just toss it in the circular file.

They might file it that way anyway but, you never know.  Make sure you have
pre- addressed envelopes available (you might want to have stamps available
or give them away ... how committed to this are you? of course Ascend might 
be there so just drop them off at the Ascend booth.  "Could make sure that
<what's his name> gets these? Thanks.") so they go to the person who makes 
that decision (as mentioned previously).

Will this change anything?  Don't hold your breath.  Even if it does, it won't
be real soon.

Good luck,
Paul
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