Hello all,

This message should clarify our vision on the PHP support in Macromedia Ultradev. It contains remarks from our current clients together with our responses.

> AND IT DOES INCLUDE PHP SUPPORT... WHAT KIND OF FUTURE
> FOR IMPAKT ? DOES IT REALLY STILL WORTH TO BE BOUGHT ?
Creating the right strategy for our product suite is one of our major concerns, as anyone understands.
The fact that Macromedia included PHP support in their product is a minor drawback for us, because we have greater plans for our products, plans that will be draftly presented below.

The main problem with the PHP application server is that nobody provided a powerful framework for developing real applications on it. Java has the framework, ASP also has it, but PHP is left in the dust when it comes to enterprise level application development. Started as extensions to Macromedia Ultradev, our products (specially ImpAKT and NeXTensio) are now going through important architectural changes and we are preparing a new approach in PHP development. <b>tNG</b> is a new OOP approach to application logic reuse in PHP, and we'll try to create a small revolution in the field.

That's why I assure you that our products will be released even if Macromedia has it's own incipient PHP support, because it would be much easier to develop with our tools than with theirs (moreover, from the start we have many other goodies present in the server model). As for the multiple choices for developments, we are sad that Macromedia didn't contacted us for a code merge, because finally both the client, Macromedia and us will suffer because multiple versions of the same server model will be present on the market.

> How much will I have to pay for this 2.0 impakt with
> nextensio to get support under DWMX ;-((?
As for any other software product, there will be an upgrade price ranging from 40% to 60% of the original price. I think that this upgrade will worth the cost, because the new ImpAKT will be engineered on tNG and will include a new way of doing PHP software.

> Question, why wouldn't make interakt the impakt 2 and
> nextension extending the MX PhP solution.
> To be honest its getting confusing with al those models.
> Soon there will be 10 solutions. And extension writers
> will not be happy and only support th MX version.
> If Interact would make it possible to make extension
> compatible with MX, it would be great.
We are aware of this problems, it's confusing and believe me, it's *very* hard for us to maintaing all those separate products.

> If interakt want to survive the migration to MX they will
> have to make it compatible. Already people are getting
> angry because each time there is a new model the
> extension don't work with it! Same for the extension
> writers who got arn't updating any more. Just look at Tim
> Green's extensions!
There is also a solution to this. As the extension developers won't continue to develop for us, we can convince them to give over the extension development to us. This way we'll make sure all the extensions are compatible with our server models when we are releasing them.

> At the UDzone Tim Green says he will drop the Phakt and
> Impakt server model for extension development.
Tim's decision might affect us, but as we and Tim are already partners, probably we'll cut a deal with him to get Intellicart and the other extensions and integrate them in our commercial offering.

We will also provide migration engines that will convert PHP_MySQL and PHAkt1 code to PHAkt2, making sure that all users will have a lean migration curve to our products. Just make sure to avoid modifying code by hand, as modified code will not be migrable after that.

To conclude, this is how we see the product suite:
PHAkt 1.3 - last PHAkt version for UD4
PHAkt 2 - released for MX
ImpAKT 2 (based on tNG) - released for both MX and UD4
- including many extensions from third parties
- UniVAL support using tNG
NeXTensio 2 (based on tNG) - released for both MX and UD4
- UniFORM based on tNG
XME : PHP_MX -> PHAkt2, PHAkt1->PHAKt2, PHAKt2->ImpAKT2

Those who will develop extensions for MX will be contacted by us to make sure we'll support a version of their extension for our server models.

Alexandru

If you put it like that. <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> I'm feeling happy and will keep going for Interakt.

Don't count your chickens.

I have just received an email from Alexandru regarding his proposals. How DARE he, post those proposals here before I have even had a chance to respond privately!

This shows a complete lack of respect for me as a developer and to other extension developers.

I am NOT happy! <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

Tim Green

Extension & PHP TalkZone Manager
<font size=1>-------------------------------------------
<i>Please read the Forum FAQ before posting
a question to this TalkZone.</i>
-------------------------------------------
www.UDzone.com : A dynamic Dreamweaver,
Ultradev and Fireworks site for developers
by developers.
-------------------------------------------</font id=size1>

Edited by - rawveg on 02 May 2002 16:15:37

Maybe its my faulth. I have great respect for those who develop... I shouldn't have asked my questions so bluntly! Maybe Interakt wanted to respond swiftly.
So please don't start a fight cause I was acting like a pain in the...
I only wanted a good view on how things where planed...
Cause if I going to buy some software from Interakt or Tim Green I want to know what I'm up to in the next 2 to 3 months.

So my appolgy

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Maybe its my faulth. I have great respect for those who develop... I shouldn't have asked my questions so bluntly! Maybe Interakt wanted to respond swiftly.
So please don't start a fight cause I was acting like a pain in the...
I only wanted a good view on how things where planed...
Cause if I going to buy some software from Interakt or Tim Green I want to know what I'm up to in the next 2 to 3 months.

So my appolgy
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

There is no reason for you to apologise at all enquest. It isn't your fault. You asked a perfectly legitimate question, one which I too would have asked if I were you.

Unfortunately, the problem lies with Alexandru, who did not do me the courtesy of awaiting my response to his proposals before announcing them. That was unprofessional of him, and unforgiveable.

I don't know if you also noted in his respons:-

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
probably we'll cut a deal with him to get Intellicart and the other extensions and integrate them in our commercial offering
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

This means that they will take over the development (given permission) of a developer's FREE extensions, and then they will make you PAY for their versions of those extensions.

Not a good business proposition is it?

As far as things stand, all of my extensions, including IntelliCART will be reworked for Dreamweaver MX. But for the native PHP Server Model, not PHAkT, and as always I will offer quality support for my commercial work.

I also won't forsake DWMX users here either. I will remain at the PHP TalkZone, and will happily assist anyone with PHP problems when DWMX is released.

All the best

Tim Green

Extension & PHP TalkZone Manager
<font size=1>-------------------------------------------
<i>Please read the Forum FAQ before posting
a question to this TalkZone.</i>
-------------------------------------------
www.UDzone.com : A dynamic Dreamweaver,
Ultradev and Fireworks site for developers
by developers.
-------------------------------------------</font id=size1>

Hello,
Right now, we are not in the offices and we'll be back on Tuesday, so I will give you all a short answer.
As far as I know, Tim said he will stops development for PHAkt1, its extensions will support DWMX only (and not PHAkt2 or ImpAKT2). Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Alexandru just answered a message telling people that if Tim and the others will not support PHAkt/ImpAKT 2 any more, we will try to convert their extension to PHAkt/ImpAKT for them.
We will come back with more details on Tuesday.

Bogdan

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
As far as I know, Tim said he will stops development for PHAkt1, its extensions will support DWMX only (and not PHAkt2 or ImpAKT2). Please correct me if I'm wrong.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

This is indeed very true.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Alexandru just answered a message telling people that if Tim and the others will not support PHAkt/ImpAKT 2 any more, we will try to convert their extension to PHAkt/ImpAKT for them.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Yes, and Alexandru posted that message publicly before awaiting the response to the email he sent out to developers. It is unethical and unacceptable to make such an announcement BEFORE permission has been granted.

Alexandru also stated (quite publicly) that any extensions handed over to Interakt would be converted and implemented in the COMMERCIAL model. Not acceptable.

What you are seeking to do, is to profit from a situation that YOU engineered. Rest assured, permission has NOT been granted for any of my extensions to be redeveloped by Interakt, and any attempt on their part to do this will result in legal action.

Enough said.

Tim Green

Extension & PHP TalkZone Manager
<font size=1>-------------------------------------------
<i>Please read the Forum FAQ before posting
a question to this TalkZone.</i>
-------------------------------------------
www.UDzone.com : A dynamic Dreamweaver,
Ultradev and Fireworks site for developers
by developers.
-------------------------------------------</font id=size1>

Hello,
It seems that most of the issues that made Tim angry were some communication issues. I made the mistake of sending out some messages right before leaving for the Easter break, and many of them were missunderstood by Tim.

We are working with him to find a peaceful way of resolving our potential problems, and we are also working on finding a better way to satisfy our users, extension developers and clients.

Alexandru