wmb@MITCH.ENG.SUN.COM (Mitch Bradley) (01/11/91)
I wouldn't get too upset about what Jim Callahan says in his HS Forth advertising literature. The guy is just trying to make a living selling a (very good) Forth product, and it ain't easy, since there are so many "nearly free" Forth systems out there. He is doing what he can to achieve "product differentiation". No doubt he is frustrated by the proliferation of PD systems. I don't blame him; it's difficult to make a business out of Forth, considering the lack of market acceptance and the general contrariness of us Forth enthusiasts. I have heard the same sort of statements in private from most of the Forth vendors that I know, and I have made a few similar statements myself. There are valid points on both sides of the fence. On the one hand, low-cost and PD Forth systems are a good way to introduce people to Forth. On the other hand, established, reliable vendors are necessary for Forth to be acceptable for "real projects" in many companies. The trick is to balance the two, without driving all the vendors bankrupt. Certainly, the implication that PD systems somehow "ripped off" his work is a bit extreme. I shrug it off as a unfortunate statement made in a moment of frustration. Lord knows I've made my share of those. Mitch (commercial vendor, sort of) Bradley