Yes, we (Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse) do in fact have some people who read Slashdot, albeit we don't have much time so we're a bit behind (hey, we've got to get this project rolling you know). In any case it's a great E-zine.
At the bottom I'll give an address whereby you can address further queries, but first I'd like to make a few comments:
1) BCFW is in fact going to use Linux at the front end where people can see it. At first we're simply using it to replace X terminals in the stores and in our corporate offices. Later we're going to use it as the main processor in the stores (actually using the Linux X-Terms as redundant servers). We also may use it for kiosks for some projects coming up (so real users may well see it). We'd love to use it for POS terminals but it isn't cheap to replace the older boxes we have that are frankly functioning just fine. As we migrate to more powerful platforms you may see Linux for those applications.
2) We choose Linux because not only because it was cheap, but because it was open. We've long been proponents of open systems and open standards. We've been using TCP/IP, RPC, NFS, etc. for over 10 years. We started out with Sun and Sequent Unix and never looked back and it's saved us lots of money and development time. We currently have no legacy mainframes to support and we want to keep it that way.
We also don't love Microsoft's tactics in the marketplace. That's not however to say we don't use their products. We have to be realistic and they do make some good products that are hard to replace. We frankly believe in using the right tool for the right job and therefor we don't think it's healthy to turn our backs on any products. On the other hand, for reasons the readers here are well aware, most of our systems engineers prefer Unix and Linux.
3) Yes, we're interested in getting resumes for people who are "Linux Gurus". We run lean and fast so there aren't a lot of openings but if you're interested send to the address below. We're busy so it may take a little while to answer.
4) Yes, we are the unfortunate company with the dog problem. It was a horrible accidental purchase and sale to which everyone I've met in the company feels terrible about. We've done everything in our power to correct the mistake and we have worked closely with the Humane Society to make things better. We can only ask that you all forgive us. Believe me, most of the people here have dogs and absolutely none would had purposefully sold those jackets.
5) No, I don't think we can claim credit for being the first retailer to use Linux and I don't think anyone in our company intended to sound that way. We are however one of the first large retailers in the US to do so.
6) We don't think Linux will be that much of a learning curve because:
a) We've been using diverse front ends for some time so our users are pretty savy (or is that shell shocked?).;-) b) We're probably going to use the AnotherLevel Win 95 emulation. We figure the largest part of our end users will be familiar (comfortable) with this look and feel.
Thats it. You may contact me with more questions or resumes at:
Matt Fahrner Manager of Netorking Matt.Fahrner@COAT.COM
Because I haven't put this through our PR department I'm obliged to indicate that this letter does not necessary reflect the view of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse, its management, or it affiliates and is strictly "my personal opinion". You can take that whatever way you want. Note that because we're still in development any or all of what I discussed here may change, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Slashdot Mirror
As a sort of humorous aside, we may well track the ;-)
project to roll this (Linux) out using Microsoft
Project. Oh well....
Thanks again to all for the support.
;-)
Yes, we (Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse) do in
fact have some people who read Slashdot, albeit we
don't have much time so we're a bit behind (hey,
we've got to get this project rolling you know).
In any case it's a great E-zine.
At the bottom I'll give an address whereby you
can address further queries, but first I'd like
to make a few comments:
1) BCFW is in fact going to use Linux at the
front end where people can see it. At first
we're simply using it to replace X terminals
in the stores and in our corporate offices.
Later we're going to use it as the main
processor in the stores (actually using the
Linux X-Terms as redundant servers). We
also may use it for kiosks for some projects
coming up (so real users may well see it).
We'd love to use it for POS terminals but it
isn't cheap to replace the older boxes we
have that are frankly functioning just fine.
As we migrate to more powerful platforms
you may see Linux for those applications.
2) We choose Linux because not only because it
was cheap, but because it was open. We've
long been proponents of open systems and open
standards. We've been using TCP/IP, RPC, NFS,
etc. for over 10 years. We started out with
Sun and Sequent Unix and never looked back and
it's saved us lots of money and development
time. We currently have no legacy mainframes
to support and we want to keep it that way.
We also don't love Microsoft's tactics in
the marketplace. That's not however to say we
don't use their products. We have to be
realistic and they do make some good products
that are hard to replace. We frankly believe
in using the right tool for the right job
and therefor we don't think it's healthy to
turn our backs on any products. On the other
hand, for reasons the readers here are well
aware, most of our systems engineers
prefer Unix and Linux.
3) Yes, we're interested in getting resumes for
people who are "Linux Gurus". We run lean and
fast so there aren't a lot of openings but
if you're interested send to the address below.
We're busy so it may take a little while to
answer.
4) Yes, we are the unfortunate company with the
dog problem. It was a horrible accidental
purchase and sale to which everyone I've met
in the company feels terrible about. We've done
everything in our power to correct the mistake
and we have worked closely with the Humane
Society to make things better. We can only ask
that you all forgive us. Believe me, most of
the people here have dogs and absolutely none
would had purposefully sold those jackets.
5) No, I don't think we can claim credit for
being the first retailer to use Linux and I
don't think anyone in our company intended to
sound that way. We are however one of the first
large retailers in the US to do so.
6) We don't think Linux will be that much of a
learning curve because:
a) We've been using diverse front ends for
some time so our users are pretty savy (or
is that shell shocked?).
b) We're probably going to use the AnotherLevel
Win 95 emulation. We figure the largest
part of our end users will be familiar
(comfortable) with this look and feel.
Thats it. You may contact me with more questions or resumes at:
Matt Fahrner
Manager of Netorking
Matt.Fahrner@COAT.COM
Because I haven't put this through our PR
department I'm obliged to indicate that this
letter does not necessary reflect the view of
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse, its management,
or it affiliates and is strictly "my personal
opinion". You can take that whatever way you want.
Note that because we're still in development any
or all of what I discussed here may change, but
I wouldn't bet on it.
Wow... An impressive the amount of positive
responses here. Thanks for the support.
I'm one of the project managers heading up this project at BCFW. If you want to make queries of
any sort you can forward them to me at:
Matt.Fahrner@COAT.COM
and I'll make sure they get to the right people.
Thanks again,
Matt Fahrner
Manager of Networking
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse