[Info-vax] BASIC compiler in the hobbyist distribution

[JF Mezei]

On 15-05-30 15:06, lists at openmailbox.org wrote:
>
> That's the basis for my comments. You can't beat a free "OS" running on
> cheap hardware with a better, more expensive OS running on cheap hardware.

One advantage of VSI as a small company is that they *can* (and should)
be more responsive to their customers.

Many companies make it hard for customers to contact them (going as far
as designing their phone system to force you to spend time listening to
messages to don't want to hear before you can press "0" to talk to a human).

If VSI can make communications with support staff very easy and without
administrative hassles, then this is possibly a big win.  Make it
pleasant to deal with VSI.

Just look at Mr VAXman's experiences with "Hopelessly Pathetic" over the
years. This is exactly what VSI wants to avoid.  Large companies want to
avoid contact with customers, VSI should do exactly the opposite. The
more in touch thei are with customers, they better they know their needs
and the better than can answer those needs.

You find a bug ? Anyone should be able to report it to VSI without
having to jump through administrative hoops. And if you are a paying
customers, the faster you get the patch/fix for it, the more value the
customer sees in dealing with VSI.

Some major internet vulnerability comes out on social media ? The faster
VSI can contact its paying customers with "don't worry, we tested VMS
and it is not vulnerable" or "we have tested VMS, it is vulnerable,
suggest you do XXX for now, we expect a patch in a few hours", the more
value customers will see in VMS and paying VSI.

VSI has to be seen as a partner you WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH because
they make managing your own business easier.  (as opposed to a partner
you are forced to do business with because you are tied to their
proprietary software).