CNet published this article today detailing Gartner analyst Mark Driver's research that conversions to Microsoft .Net could run roughly half of the original development costs.
Ari Bixhorn, Microsoft's product manager for Visual Basic.Net, disputed Gartner's conclusions. He said most conversions to .Net are about 95 percent error-free, meaning they can be completed at a cost much lower than what Gartner estimates.
Gartner, however, considered factors other than code conversions in its analysis, such as training and lost productivity. Bixhorn said he didn't see either training or productivity problems as much of a concern.
I take research with a healthy dose of skeptism, but I couldn't pass up calling attention to this quote. Training and productivity problems aren't much of a concern? Come on! Could you at least try and come up with a better response?
