I started my first BusinessObjects project in February 2003 with “classic” version 5.1, prior to the acquisition of Crystal Reports (Crystal Decisions) and the acquisition by SAP. I became a member of the BusinessObjects Board, or BOB, shortly thereafter on April 16, 2003, at the suggestion of my friend Eileen King. At the time, the BusinessObjects support site wasn’t terribly useful. Just as important as the information one could read on BOB were the friends you could make by using it.
I recently made my 100th post, which earned me the designation of Principal Member instead of a Senior Member. An average of 9 posts a year isn’t much of a contribution, but I’ll sleep better knowing the principal’s icon includes the detail object’s green pyramid.
Times have changed. In 2003 I first turned to BOB looking for the way out of a problem. In 2014 I now turn to the SAP Support Portal. Either SAP’s support portal usability has improved, I have simply mastered its confusion, or a combination of both. The SAP Support Portal seemed daunting in the post-acquisition fog of 2008. And who can forget SAP’s abrupt unplugging of the old BusinessObjects support and ESD sites (see related articles, Got Support? and Business Objects ESD, R.I.P.)? Good times.
Business Intelligence has clearly left the niche for the mainstream. Now there’s an abundance of books, blogs, and alternative media outlets beyond just what the vendor offers.
Choice is good.
Back in the old days, I could post 100 entries over a lunchtime 🙂
Believe it or not, we actually had to moderate this at one time. People used to post useless posts just to get their post counts up. Lots of “Ya, i agree” type posts from certain people that added absolutely nothing to the thread.
Ya, I agree!
I see what you did there… 😉
I’m sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for your next 100 posts.