Re: How long will 8.1.7 survive?

Gentlemen,

We are not really discussing whether 8i has more features than 734, if you read my previous postings. One should not assume that an 8i DBA is more skilled than 734 DBA and new features cannot be learned without deploying them in production. In fact all the new features should be evaluated and tested before deciding whether to upgrade. Like I said before, if the new features do not benefit the applications, there is probably no need to upgrade. Software upgrade phenomena is very much like SUV mania. Many people buy them for no apparent reasons, ultimately burn more fuel and create more pollution. Ha, another automobile analogy.

Happy Administering,
Tony

> Hi Fred and all,
>
> You all make good points (those of you that took my Gran story and walked
> all over it ;)
>
> If it ain't broke don't fix it is hard to argue against and I agree in many
> ways to what you've said.
>
> However, I believe the issue could be more of "it ain't running too
> efficiently but I don't really know to fix it" if you know what I mean. I
> understand people saying "but there's no new features we really need, so why
> move" but what about the hidden issues. Such as newer versions having more
> efficient code, or optimizer improvements, or features that could provide
> performance improvements if only implemented and tested (maybe bitmap joins
> or materialized views or whatever would be perfect), or issues such as
> migration leaps and steep learning curves (approximately 13 days of New
> feature training between 7 and 9i) or DBA career plans and work satisfaction
> and morale and DBA turnover, and the possible support issues, etc. The
> potential list goes on.
>
> Using software and being skilled in technologies that is 7ish years old is
> fine to a point if everything is dandy. However, if I were to work in such
> an environment, I would be both really curious to know what the latest
> technologies had to offer, be concerned if my competitors (depending of
> course on your organisation) were more up to date than we were and be really
> really concerned if the majority of my peers were skilled and proficient in
> a technological area that I have my career and livelihood dependent on
> whereas I was 7 years behind.
>
> I actually believe that an organisations and an individuals well being are
> very closely connected (or should be in successful environments). When the
> balance is too much one way or the other, significant issues generally pop
> up. If I was a DBA at a site that refused to move from Oracle7, then I would
> consider that a significant issue for me personally and would seriously look
> to move on elsewhere. That should then be a significant issue for the
> organisation to take some action.
>
> I drove a 1974 HQ Holden for 6 six long years. When I eventually bought a
> new Ford Falcon, I wish I did it years ago. The power steering, the air
> conditioning, the CD player (I can even listen to Bowie in the back), the
> ABS brakes, the airbag, the comfort and handling not to mention the improved
> fuel efficiency, boy I honestly didn't know what I was missing ;)
>
> Cheers
>
> Richard
Received on Wed Sep 18 2002 - 17:48:16 CDT