RE: [cobalt-users] the GUI interface

[Brent Sims <brent@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 26 May 2000, Dan so wrote:

} Great. Go back and read how Cobalt markets the product. It's specifically
} aimed at those that aren't geeks and makes it appear you need absolutely no
} knowledge of Unix/Linux to run one. But, the first time you run into a
} problem, they'll expect you to have been using Telnet and Pico for years.

	I have read it, I've worked at the command line since back
when the command line was all there was, and this is the exact 
point I was trying to make. For normal operation one does not need
any knowledge of Linux. The GUI handles it all. But stuff does
happen and when it happens expertise may be needed to correct the
problem. That the system admin does not posses that expertise is not
Cobalt's problem.

	Regardless of who made them or what their guarantee
promises, the equipment I have sitting here in our NOC is my
responsibility. The new Cobalts we bought have, as I recall, a full
year guarantee and while I expect that guarantee to be honored, I
also know that honoring it will take time. I can't expect Cobalt to
Fedx me a new machine simply because I say the one I have is
broke, nor would I expect them to take responsibility for a server 
which is hacked. I can, however, pay an extra fee for a "spare in
the air", if I thought I'd need help in these areas, I could buy
priority support and I could hire someone to secure the machines for
me. Nevertheless, while most of the fancy stuff is on fee basis,
Cobalt is quite obviously ready, willing and able to make using
these things as easy as using them can possibly be.

	But the machines are only capable of so much. 

} They're probably using them as Cobalt intended. With no knowledge of Unix
} and just using the web browser, (which actually takes care of 99% of my
} administration of my server.)

	And while I could be wrong, based upon my personal
evaluation of all the advertising I've seen, this is exactly what
Cobalt pitches.

	Each week we receive a huge stack of trade
journals. Cobalt's ads are in just about every one of them: "Cash
generating machines" I believe is how the ads read - a rack of RaQ's
standing next to an electronic teller in the picture.

	They do what they do well.

} It would if they would make and test .pkg files for all the "third party
} applications" they claim are available:
} http://www.cobalt.com/products/raq/faq.raq3.html#3
} (But if they can't even get their anchor tags right on that page, I guess
} I'm hoping for too much.)

	I mean you no insult Dan, and I'm not looking for a fight
with anyone. But just about everything that I've ever been asked to
install for a client can be found on Cobalt's site.

	This is complex stuff. Things can and will happen even to
the best of us. Every time I touch a live server I do so with the
knowledge that my next task may very well be trying to get that
server back online while people are running around yelling and
screaming, clients are calling threatening to sue, and prospects are
are laughing because our site may have went down too.

	I've reached the point where I can handle everything from
configuring the parameter router to sweeping the floors but that
doesn't mean the broom won't break or that some technopervert won't
find their way into the routers configuration. Nor does it mean that
PHP 4.0 will install without a hitch simply because it's been
released as a stable version.

	There is nothing I enjoy more than empowering people. I've
helped competitors design and fine tune their systems, I regularly
help people - some of which are sure to be competitor wantabees -
who contact me for this and that while not even being professional
enough to use a business-like email address. And I do most of this
without charge.

	The point is that I'm not trying to say that my mother
should not run a Cobalt simply because she doesn't have a clue, but
rather that if she does then she needs to assume some of the
responsibility for making that decision. 

	Cobalt sells a tool. Like any other tool, the tool works
best when used for it's intended purpose. As for support, everything
one needs - and the fastest way to obtain it is right here on this
or similar lists.

	The RaQs we bought are most certainly not the finest product
in their class. But nobody has yet inquired about the RedRaks -
which are much more my style - we installed along with the RaQs
which are now happily supporting a number of new clients who came
aboard simply because we had them.

	I suspect that it would not take a great deal of effort to
find a whole lot of people who are making a whole lot of money off
these things. From the looks of things there are a few on this very
list. 

	And that's what this is all about: money

	Use them wisely and the Cobalts will you plenty of it. 	

	Peace be with you,
	
	Brent
	
	Brent Sims
	WebOkay Internet Services
	http://www.WebOkay.net
	Brent@xxxxxxxxxxx
	(719) 595-1427 (Voice/Fax)