X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.advanc-l
Date:         Wed, 11 Nov 1992 13:17:39 PST
              <ADVANC-L@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "(Richard Blood)" <rblood@SFSUVAX1.SFSU.EDU>
Subject: ATTTENTION: CSU sites

NOTICE TO CAL STATE UNIV USERS OF ADVANCE:
At least four other CSU libraries acquired the Advance system by
"piggy-backing" on CSU San Francisco's RFP, namely CSU Humboldt,
Stanislaus, Bakersfield, and Dominguez Hills.  Fresno may have used
their own RFP, which may or may not contain the same provisions
regarding upgrades to the UNIX operating system or to uniVerse.

GEAC first tried to make us pay for the recent upgrade in the version of
uniVerse.  We refused.  They finally provided it at their expense.
Several months ago, they told us that we were running a version of UNIX
that was known to be "full of bugs" and that we would have to pay to
have our version upgraded to a "presumed bug-free version" of
UNIX.  We refused.  Nothing happened.  Then we faxed the GEAC accounting
department a copy of the relevant sections of the SFSU RFP that clearly
show that GEAC is responsible for paying for upgrades both to UNIX and
to uniVerse.

To quote from RFP CSUSF-7039, Addendum 4, p. 4:
"Software--An all-inclusive term which refers to any computer programs,
routines, or subroutines supplied by the Contractor, including operating
software, programming aids, application programs, and program products.
The term "software" also, applies to new releases, updates, and
modifications thereto supplied by the Contractor."

"Operating Software--Those routines, whether or not identified as
program products, that reside in the equipment and are required for the
equipment to perform its intended function(s), and which interface the
operator, other Contractor-supplied programs, and user programs to the
equipment."

"Programming Aids--Contractor-supplied programs and routines executable
on the Contractor's equipment which assists a programmer in the
development of appllications including language processors, sorts,
communications modules, data base management system, and utility
routines (tape-to disk routines, disk-to-print routines, etc.)."

The BOTTOM LINE is that the definition of "operating software" clearly
includes the UNIX operating system and that of "programming aids . . .
data base management system" clearly includes uniVerse.  The definitioin
of "software," moreover, indicates that these definitions also pertain
to "new releases, updates, and modifications."

My advice to CSU Advance sites is:  (1) make sure that GEAC provides you
with a "recent bug free" version of UNIX and the latest release of
uniVerse, and (2) REFUSE to pay anything whatsoever for upgrades to UNIX
or uniVerse.

FLAME:  In our case, GEAC has known for two months that the bug filled
version of UNIX was causing serious problems at SFSU, wasted a lot of
time trying to get us to pay for a new version, and finally decided that
they would, indeed, have to pay for the UNIX upgrade and then lost the
paper work generated to order it for us.  THIS COMPANY IS DRIVING ME
CRAZY.  Why doesn't GEAC's accounting department have copies of all the
RFP's for Advance sites!  In the case of the SFSU RFP, it applies not
only to SFSU, but to four and possibly five other CSU sites.

At a result of GEAC's inaction with respect to the UNIX upgrade, we
experienced a lot of down time during the peak period of student usage.
I AM REALLY GETTING FED UP WITH THE GEAC ADVANCE SYSTEM.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*                                                                 *
*   Dr. Richard Blood                                             *
*   Systems Librarian                                             *
*   San Francisco State University                                *
*   J. Paul Leonard Library                                       *
*   1630 Holloway Avenue                                          *
*   San Francisco, CA  94132                                      *
*                                                                 *
*   415-338-2646 (with voice mail)                                *
*   INTERNET:  rblood@sfsuvax1.sfsu.edu                           *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *