Dealing with marketing types...

[Stephen Kellett]

In message <mailman.232.1118370799.10512.python-list at python.org>, EP 
<EP at zomething.com> writes
>> that means) and are going crazy throwing around the Java buzzwords (not to
>> mention XML).

Sounds like someone has read about AJAX and decided that is what is 
next. They probably put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5 thinking the 
J stands for Java rather than Javascript and that your sever end must be 
Java. Well if they really want performance play the C++ (or assembler!) 
trump card and watch them squirm :-)

I think you best approach is some serious education of upper management 
on the benefits and pitfalls of each language, and of switching 
languages. Also point out the huge costs:

o Total write-off of all development costs of V1.0.

o Total write off of all intellectual property assets of V1.0 (well if 
you are building V2.0 on something else, you've put V1.0 in the bin with 
zero re-use)

o Total slap in the face and moral-crusher to the development team and 
support staff for V1.0. You will most likely see an exodus of talented 
staff after the change, if it happens.

o Effectively starting from ground-zero, making the cost for 
implementing V2.0 the entire development cost, rather than the 
incremental cost for the jump to V2.0 from V1.0 using the existing 
language.

The costs in human, timescale and financial terms for what these people 
are proposing are huge. This company may not survive the change. If they 
change you may want to consider the "abandon ship" approach and find a 
more reliable place to devote you skills to.

Finally, read "The Peter Principle" and realise there are people like 
these with their sights set on getting to the top of the greasy pole 
without any consideration for the damage they cause to others. You need 
to identify such people and steer clear of them (they generally do not 
infect all companies).

All the best.

Stephen
-- 
Stephen Kellett
Object Media Limited    http://www.objmedia.demon.co.uk/software.html
Computer Consultancy, Software Development
Windows C++, Java, Assembler, Performance Analysis, Troubleshooting