Re: vendors and the related DBDs

On 07/08/10 14:21, Gabor Szabo wrote:
> hi,

Hi Gabor,

> some of you might be aware that I have submitted a grant request to the TPF that
> was focusing on two things:
> 1) fund-raising for TPF
> 2) promoting Perl on various non-Perl events
>
> The main selling point to the companies was providing help to them to find
> Perl developers.[1]

This is a very good idea. As contractor I often see requests of companies
which are searching Perl developers via staffing agencies - which might not
work properly. http://jobs.perl.org/ is not well know, but on the other hand
big companies do not contract developers directly - they do not like to many
different agreements.

> I'd like to extend the proposal with some ideas on supporting development
> of CPAN modules and on improved contact with vendors.
> That means if my grant gets accepted I'll work on these items as well along
> with the fund-raising and promotion.
>
> As I am only a user of DBI and with very limited usage I'll need your help.
> I'd like to get your input regarding database vendors,
> the relevant DBDs and the relationship with the vendors.
>
> Which DBDs need a lot of investment?

I cannot speak for other DBD's, but during the development on Meta-DBD's
for DBI-1.612 we (Martin Evans, H. Merijn Brand and myself) developed
some ideas how to improve the Meta-DBD's to make them more useful.

> How do you think vendors could help?
>     (Giving money?, Giving software licenses? Allocating developer time?)

If a company would hire/contract DBI/DBD developers to get a specific
job done, that will always help. Tim offeres it on 
http://dbi.perl.org/support, others would be available, too (e.g. me).

> Which vendors are already involved?

I can report that a big chemical company paid for some SQL::Statement
speed up.

> Should this go through TPF or do you think there are better channels for this?

Looking at the agreement problems of big companies (those who have money),
I think TPF would be a good address to start.

> Who could help me in building up the contacts at the vendors?

What kind of support do you imagine?

Best regards,
Jens

> regards
>     Gabor
>     http://szabgab.com/
>
> [1] http://news.perlfoundation.org/2010/06/hague-grant-application-perl-e.html