Re: Fast400 Value to iSeries community is less than zero

Nathan:

On Fri, 09 November 2001, "Nathan M. Andelin" wrote:

> After the sale, the customer pretty much has all rights to the hardware.  So
> the classification of "Interactive Features" as hardware or software is
> critical in a legal context.  I don't see this as only a public relations
> problem.  IBM doesn't have much say over what a customer can/can't do with
> purchased hardware.

At least on the issue of Fast400, it so far seems as if IBM is effectively 
treating it like you describe hardware. You are perfectly welcome to run it 
without penalty. At least, there's been no indication of penalty so far. The 
only significant statement has been that IBM probably won't service a system 
that is running it. Big deal --- so you remove it for service. I doubt this is 
much different than what would happen if you tried to get MS to support a WinNT 
system that you were running an application on that dynamically altered 
undocumented task structures.

For actual hardware, sure, you can do what you want. You can wire up PC-style 
SCSI adapters and plug them in. But do you think IBM will resolve any problems 
you have because of that?

Where's the practical difference?

Okay, IBM PTFs the system to make Fast400 worthless. But where's the difference 
between that and a PTF that makes you re-engineer your home-made SCSI setup?

Now, if IBM somehow attempted to obtain a restraining order or sued for 
"damages" or _forced_ you to apply a PTF or whatever, then your comments would 
hold up better.

Tom Liotta

--
Tom Liotta
The PowerTech Group, Inc.
19426 68th Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone  253-872-7788
Fax  253-872-7904
http://www.400Security.com


___________________________________________________
The ALL NEW CS2000 from CompuServe
 Better!  Faster! More Powerful!
 250 FREE hours! Sign-on Now!
 http://www.compuserve.com/trycsrv/cs2000/webmail/