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It was always the case that IBM stuff was way overpriced compared to alternatives but a senior manager who bought it could rest easy, knowing that if he called

It was always the case that IBM stuff was way overpriced compared to alternatives but a senior manager who bought it could rest easy, knowing that if he called and complained, they'd be right on it. Even 10 years in the future, they'd be right on it. That's worth something to some people, who really don't give a shit about technology and just want the problem solved.

t43562 4y ago
Software for people who don't care about software! Personally I think if you don't care about something it will be bad. This is great for small companies and startups - if the bigger ones did things properly how could anyone compete?
- AlbertCory 4y ago
  Exactly! They're creating a Quality Umbrella. "if you don't care about something it will be bad" -- maybe to you. To them, it's not causing any problems that they care about.
  - t43562 4y ago
    Not to me but to the company/institution and all its users. Of course the person who arranged it doesn't care because they are in a situation where they are immune to those particular consequences. e.g. they never use the system and nor do any of their senior managers so they can dismiss all complaints and report on how much money they saved. If one innocently wants to do what's right for the institution, the shareholders or the taxpayers, one has to care. Its usually a tactical mistake to care of course - people who don't have a lot more freedom of action.
flavius29663 4y ago
exactly. As I heard, google can be pretty bad at support, for example. Better tech does not mean better experience overall
swexbe 4y ago
Now when they call I guess they'll be directed towards the AI chat bot helpline :)
- AlbertCory 4y ago
  Yup. Never underestimate the ability of middle managers to zero in on the company's main competitive advantage and wipe it out with cost-cutting, e.g. "We have a great beer customers love? Great, now we're going to use cheaper ingredients. They'll never notice." "We have great Mexican food, because everything's made fresh on-site? Great, now we're going to shift to a central commissary."

t43562 4y ago

Software for people who don't care about software! Personally I think if you don't care about something it will be bad. This is great for small companies and startups - if the bigger ones did things properly how could anyone compete?

AlbertCory 4y ago
Exactly! They're creating a Quality Umbrella. "if you don't care about something it will be bad" -- maybe to you. To them, it's not causing any problems that they care about.
- t43562 4y ago
  Not to me but to the company/institution and all its users. Of course the person who arranged it doesn't care because they are in a situation where they are immune to those particular consequences. e.g. they never use the system and nor do any of their senior managers so they can dismiss all complaints and report on how much money they saved. If one innocently wants to do what's right for the institution, the shareholders or the taxpayers, one has to care. Its usually a tactical mistake to care of course - people who don't have a lot more freedom of action.

flavius29663 4y ago

exactly. As I heard, google can be pretty bad at support, for example. Better tech does not mean better experience overall

swexbe 4y ago

Now when they call I guess they'll be directed towards the AI chat bot helpline :)

AlbertCory 4y ago
Yup. Never underestimate the ability of middle managers to zero in on the company's main competitive advantage and wipe it out with cost-cutting, e.g. "We have a great beer customers love? Great, now we're going to use cheaper ingredients. They'll never notice." "We have great Mexican food, because everything's made fresh on-site? Great, now we're going to shift to a central commissary."