unsubscribe with regret. (1980 SYS/38.........) An overseas perspective.

Hi
 
Unfortunately iSeries is fast disappearing in South Africa, especially after 
2k. If IBM had addressed the date issue so it wasn't a problem, they would have 
gained customers, not lost them. 2k probably did more hurt to iSeries than 
anything else. Every CFO has still has nightmares about it, and people don't 
forget getting stung.
 
Even if you have a job, the future is uncertain. Pity they didn't license VB 10 
years ago and provide development tools for free. At least iSeries would be a 
major force in the industry in cheap solutions and skills. IBM should have 
followed the market instead of trying to steer it. If PHP had been supported 
from the beginning, it could well be a popular web platform. They don't 
understand, some people don't want to keep bending RPG to try and do 
everything, especially when that skill-set is fast disappearing. I am a died in 
the wool RPG programmer from SYS34 days, and it does some things extremely 
well, but mention it to a company looking for a platform, and you get a blank 
stare.
 
Even for customers wanting iSeries, they are put off because they are few 
skills available, and none coming in to the market. For years companies relied 
on poaching skills, never thinking to put something back in to the industry by 
paying for formal training. IBM of course still try to squeeze every last 
dollar they can, just like they did in the the SYS3-38 days. Like microsoft, 
they are learning that that attitude pisses people off and they will look 
elsewhere.
 
I wish everyone well with their careers.
 
MichaelSouth Africa

michael.lloyd.thornton@xxxxxxxxx
  
 
 
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