From: "Ed Malloy" <edm@...>
Subject: Re: [IBDI] ODBC Driver

Ed wrote:

> I don't understand your logic. If the program is open source, why does
> Borland HAVE to supply an ODBC drive?

What is the point of having a database that few people can connect to, or
report from?

Presumeably Borland made IB Open Source to promote the use of Borland tools.
Perhaps the think is that if there is no ODBC driver, then people will be
forced to use the BDE/IBX/IBO and will therefore be far more likely to use
Borland tools (rather than Cold Fusion, VB, etc.). This would be myopic in
the extreme: the better strategy would be to let everyone connect and use
what ever tools make them happy. The community exposure will move them into
Borland tools. This is not a zero sum game; grow the whole pie, and you
will end up with more.

> To be sure, I'd prefer that they did, but I also think that we should be
> willing to PAY for one from a third party. Actually I think paying for
> the driver has many benefits, including providing a stream of income
> (however small) for those willing to support InterBase.

I agree, but I think Borland should be contributing. If only to take the
higher road.

> I am sure that it is going to take time for this process to sort out,
> but I don't think that Borland has any obligation.

I said "While they probably have no explicit commitment to the developers...
", so I agree. Although my opinion has been somewhat adjusted by Paul
Beach's post referring to letters of intent.

Really, my focus is on the good will involved. Some people contribute alot
of value to the community: what is the worth of that goodwill compared to
the small $$ (my ill informed estimate: $25k for JS, about the same for the
author of IBX, and $50k - $100k for EasySoft: let's go crazy and say $150k,
a pittance).

Kevin