Lacking Support?

License problem in SMS 2003

jtruv — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 19:49:10 GMT

We had a little problem with the automatic updates on the SMS 2003 server last month and had to do a repair with the CD. little did we know it wiped out the licenses. I can't find our 20 user Licenses CALS that was in our action pack. (purchased separate from Atomic Park) Can Microsoft re-send us the license or will we need to repurchase the CALS? Anyone?

Please let me know jtruver@gmail.com

re: Lacking Support?

erb — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:46:15 GMT

Todd, this wasn't a press release, and IBM didn't "pull" anything. What a spin!

You're linking to a TECHNOTE -- which, by its nature, is constantly updated. That's why it has a "last modified" date. Press releases are different in that they are issued as statements -- a moment in time.

As for "IBM's decision to pull support" -- there was no such decision. This is a Microsoft product, Microsoft supports it. I'm not sure why that would be a surprise to anyone.

re: Lacking Support?

RobWills — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 18:33:51 GMT

I might be missing something but the link that you sent wasn't a press release but a Technote FAQ. By their very nature, these are designed to be modified. I found the message that IBM was giving to be very reasonable and cannot fathom any reason why you might expect IBM to give support for a Microsoft product that Microsoft are changing regularly. How could they? In fact, I don't believe that IBM have ever supported the product beyond the internal Notes routing element which they still support. Rob

re: Lacking Support?

NBlogger — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 18:54:41 GMT

the last modified date shows 6/12/06.

when was the orginal posting?
what prompted an update?

-todd

IBM recommends using the Microsoft Connector

NBlogger — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:00:17 GMT

In the most current redbook about migrating from Exchange (5.5) to Lotus Domino, IBM officially recommends using the Microsoft Connector (Chapter 4). IBM recommends the tool as the preferred method for coexistence but doesn't support their recommendation.

Todd's post contained the link to the technote that was published on June 12. He became aware of the technote via a press release but linked to the detailed information rather than the press release itself. The technote was updated almost immediately upon posting.

http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246955.html?Open

- Amy

re: Lacking Support?

modchaos — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:32:48 GMT

Amy, let me add to this with a little bit of truth. They do suggest it migrating FROM exchange to Domino. Of course, if Microsoft were to have bothered to make the connector one-way, IBM might develop their own. But why do this when you have a hook in to Exchange and Domino. And nowhere in that documentation do that say they support this, they just suggest it for coexistance/migration. I can go in to a small business running exchange and over a weekend switch that company from Exchange to Domino without the connector.

The technote was updated (yes that is what the post says... updated) because this has been a technote that has been available for quite some time now. More like refreshed so that it shows as a technote still in IBM system. Poor assumption on your part.

Additionally, I am surprised that someone on your team has come out with a post like this. Pretty much on the offense. I have enjoyed reading what your group is doing because Erik's posts have been fair and upbeat supporting his own tools rather than pointing fingers elsewhere. Maybe you should let Erik check your content before releasing unsubstantiated information.

Thanks for your thoughts

NBlogger — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:53:17 GMT

David -

Thank you for your kind words about the approach we've been taking with the blog. We specifically do not want to use the blog to carry on fights with folks who don't agree with us.

My understanding of the intent of Todd's post was that he wanted to publicly state that Microsoft would support anyone who is using our connector - even if they were using it as per IBM's recommendation to move from Exchange to Domino.

I understand that you disagree with some of the way that this point was stated, and you are entitled to your opinion and we have no problem with allowing your comments to appear on the blog.

We stand by and support our products.

- Amy

re: Lacking Support?

erb — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:12:32 GMT

Amy/Todd -- I am still missing what press release you are talking about. The redbooks page has a 2003 date on it.

Regardless, whether we talk about the connector in a redbook or not has nothing to do with supporting a product that isn't ours. We don't take support calls on the Binary Tree tools, either (nor do you, I assume).

re: Lacking Support?

modchaos — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:58:38 GMT

Amy, thanks for that response. My point was to

1. Point out this is a technote that has been out there for awhile and was updated to reflect Domino 7 support with your tool.

2. State that Todd's entry in the group blog was out of sorts for the blog. Specifically referencing the following as a postscript:
"p.s. did anyone else notice how the original IBM press release changed? On Tuesday morning is said one thing, on Tuesday afternoon it said something much different… Seems reminiscent of when we had a bad link to the old Analyzer & IBM publicly called us on it… huh, interesting?"

I Remain,
David DeWell

re: Lacking Support?

modchaos — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:50:39 GMT

Oh I forgot to tell you Amy. IBM Stands by and supports THEIR products as well. The addition of that little bit to your post was not necessary.

re: Lacking Support?

sjoseph911 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 05:56:17 GMT

I'm using Lotus QuickPlace and I have a problem with the way MS IE 6.02 SP2 locks up when I edit an existing MS Office XP Word doc. I don't ahve this issue with a new Word doc. Could you explain to me how I get support from MS for that and what MS's offical postion is on fixing that issue with IE locking up with MS Word docs served up by QuickPlace???

Seems pretty obvious how companies do or do not provide support for 3rd party products now when you look at it that way doesn't it?

Microsoft doesn't recommend QuickPlace

NBlogger — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 08:06:29 GMT

IBM officially recommends using our tool.

As far as I know, there's no documentation where Microsoft recommends that anyone use QuickPlace.

Apples != Oranges.

If anyone needs assistance with our tools, we'll provide support, regardless of whether the tool is being used to migrate to Domino or from Domino. That's what I think is important. I'm not going to respond to any future comments in this thread as we're not likely to change each other's minds, but I respect your thoughts and your right to express them. I'm off on holiday for a few days. Have a nice weekend!
- Amy

re: Lacking Support?

erb — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:35:46 GMT

I think I made the same point earlier Amy in that Microsoft recommends tools from Casahl, Proposion, Binary Tree, and other vendors in this same space. They are mentioned in your whitepapers, they are in your presentations and proposals.

You have a version of a Notes connector for Outlook -- it may have been withdrawn or not updated, but there is an MS version of this capability. Does your shipping of it mean that you now support Domino? Of course not. In fact you explicitly disclaim such support in your technotes on the topic -- apples to apples.

Or, are you saying that any time Microsoft officially recommends something, you will support it? I have more important things to do, but I bet I could find a hundred examples where you've made "official recommendations" but don't support a third party's product.

re: Lacking Support?

NBlogger — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:31:30 GMT

The key message here is 3 fold:

1) customers implementing the connector have full support by Microsoft in the event they need assistance (#'s provided in my original post below).
2) we continue to invest, improve & evolve the connector based on feedback - for both E2k3 & E12.
3) the connector is clearly being seen as a valuable piece of technology & we are in this for the long-haul with continuous improvements occuring; I do look forward to our upcoming posts on Wave 12!!!

thanks everyone for your comments. I personally appreciate the feedback & know the team does as well.

-todd

re: Lacking Support?

modchaos — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:26:16 GMT

That might be your key message, and yes, thank you for providing a good service to your customer... (applause all around)

Quite honestly, this pile of garbage still smells like a pile of garbage no matter how much you try and back out of it. May I suggest you change the posting so you actually get your point across or just delete it entirely and start fresh. You know very well that the arguement that has come up about this in point 1 is that you accused IBM of "pulling support" which is false. IBM never supported your connector from outside the exchange.box and beyond. You know Microsoft would never support Domino mail routing. You need to correct your mistake on your posting.

re: Lacking Support?

billbuchan — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 01:39:49 GMT

Hey - I figured out how to comment here! Is it my imagination or does this change on a weekly (or should that be: Weakly!) basis ?

Anywise.

http://www.billbuchan.com/web.nsf/d6plinks/DOMM-6QYS27#comments

Enjoy.

---* Bill

re: Lacking Support?

billbuchan — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 01:55:30 GMT

Todd.

Come on. Even in the week that BillG hangs up his mouse, you've managed to eclipse that news with this posting.

Improve the connector ? Simple.

How many ex-Iris employees did you boast you had access to ?

Rewrite the damn thing so that it works. Seriously.

"You cant polish a turd".

---* Bill
http://www.billbuchan.com