Brian Mathis wrote: > On Sat, Oct 10, 2009 at 2:14 PM, Giovanni P. Tirloni <tirloni at gmail.com> wrote: >> On Oct 10, 2009, at 3:08 PM, Alan McKay wrote: >> >>>> The better solution would be to make sure you are prepared for when >>>> the hardware does fail. Inform the client that you understand that <snip> >>> This is by far the best approach if you want to bring them along. It >>> has to be THEIR decision, so the best way to get them to make that >>> decision is to sit back and say "OK, if you don't want to upgrade that >>> is fine, but we still have to make sure we are prepared for when that >>> hardware fails, so here is what we'll do ..." >>> >>> That will probably scare the crap out of them enough to change their >>> minds :-) <snip> Got it: what you need to do is set up a meeting to prepare a disaster recovery plan. Most business have, or are willing to look at them (at least post-Katrina). Make sure that they know just how *long* it will take to bring new systems online if there's a fire, or flood, or hurricane, or twister.... Then bring up the age of the servers and maintenance. As part of the plan, of course, spec out replacement hardware, and any performance increases it would bring.... mark mark -- Right, breathing is addictive, as shown by the withdrawal symptoms. - Steve Gruenwald