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HCL Notes/Domino 8.5 Forum (includes Notes Traveler)

HCL Notes/Domino 8.5 Forum (includes Notes Traveler)

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Subject: "No one uses Lotus Notes anymore."
Feedback Type: Comment
Product Area: Other
Technical Area: Application Development
Platform: ALL
Release: 8.5.1
Reproducible: -Reproducibility-

I was once a top poster in this forum, always answers and instead of questions. Now I am finally prompted to post again, perhaps for the last time.

I am posting now because I just solved a major business problem for a company, and I did it because of my Notes / Domino expertise in apps development and web administration. I have the skills to solve this problem with other technologies, but the extremely tight time frames dictated the rapid apps development that comes with Lotus. Security was key, too. What irks me is that the executives in this company believe that "No one uses Lotus Notes anymore."

I once worked for a company where the owner insulted me simply because I used Notes, never mind the profits I once made for him. I also worked for companies that are now undertaking years-long projects to eliminate Notes. When I ask why, they typically say the executives ordered it and that Microsoft will underwrite the cost to kill Notes.

I once did consulting for a company that won an award largely because of the app I built for them. When I read about the award in a newspaper, I was shocked to read that the president took all the credit for the award. He never mentioned me, my consulting firm or Lotus Notes. Sorry I cannot give details, but my consulting company president knows Microsoft products inside and out, and he knew that Microsoft products could not have addressed the needs of this business and their employees.

So it was a good run, Lotus. I was known in multiple US states as the go-to guy for what I did. (I cannot say what I did. It would be too obvious.) I once wrote Lotus code that performed a function that was later added to the Lotus Domino product. (Lotus did not get it from me, it was just obviously important, and Lotus pays attention to what is obviously important.) That client simply paid me chump change, and told me to get lost. "It was just Lotus Notes" to them. They admitted later they had no idea how valuable my code could have been to them.

I cannot analyze exactly what happened. Certainly, the recent economic collapse did not help. Also, it seems that Microsoft is more intent on destroying Notes than IBM is in maintaining it. Of course, Notes is not dead. Indeed, the more I work with other technologies, the more I realize that IBM is committed to improving Notes. But after years of making a living with Notes, I must realize that time is over for me. Too bad I'm too young to retire. It is even worse for the companies that are making investments to kill Notes internally. I'm seeing multiples of them, and they are mostly wasting money, spreading untruths and reducing internal efficiencies.

It was a nice run though. Despite my problems from those inside Lotus and outside, I had some good experiences.


Feedback number WEBB84WN9F created by ~Keiko Ekfoomanynds on 04/27/2010

Status: Open
Comments:

"No one uses Lotus Notes anymore." (~Keiko Ekfooman... 27.Apr.10)
. . I feel your pain (~Kelly Zekresam... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . A comment from a young guy.. (~Ted Deslubergi... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . "denying your (only) rival its sill... (~Denise Minboos... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . Good point (~Ted Deslubergi... 28.Apr.10)
. . The problem is ... (~Phil Nonhipige... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . Not dead yet (~Tip Quethipipu... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . . . Thanks, Dave! (~Keiko Ekfooman... 28.Apr.10)
. . What is this crap?? (~Fred Xanjumima... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . then why are you here in this forum... (~Phil Nonhipige... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . . . I don't understand the question (~Fred Xanjumima... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . Actually it's only heinous for deve... (~James Brewever... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . . . I disagree... (~Fred Xanjumima... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . Remember, opinions are just that (~Denise Minboos... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . I didn't say it was perfect! (grin)... (~James Brewever... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . "I think IBM stopped developing the... (~Naomi Deskrote... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . LOL! wiseass ;) (~Fred Xanjumima... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . I dont mind the omissions... (~Bella Zennuver... 29.Apr.10)
. . . . I'm glad you wrote in, Willy Lorenz... (~Keiko Ekfooman... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . . . "Your opinion carries no weight wit... (~Fred Xanjumima... 27.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . Wrong again, Willy. (~Keiko Ekfooman... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . Jeez...someone got up on the wrong ... (~Fred Xanjumima... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . OMG (~Bella Zennuver... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . OMG it's the King! (~Fred Xanjumima... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @Hello (~Bella Zennuver... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wait... what? (~Naomi Deskrote... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tubesocks and duct tape (~Bella Zennuver... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan, don't you miss these days? (~Bella Zennuver... 29.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . flip flops and ini...that's real ol... (~Fred Xanjumima... 28.Apr.10)
. . So, if I had to do the following w/... (~Kelly Zekresam... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . Re: So, if I had to do the followin... (~Keiko Ekfooman... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . Exec (~Ted Deslubergi... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . Oh, don't count Sharepoint out of t... (~Denise Minboos... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . . . . . Thanks, John! (~Keiko Ekfooman... 28.Apr.10)
. . . . Thank you for putting this thread b... (~Mario Cislugon... 28.Apr.10)
. . End of the technology curve (~Holly Brenuche... 15.Oct.11)




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