Re: IBM Linux Ad during Super Bowl

Here here, Booth.  My thoughts exactly.  

In my own shop we've been running Linux on z/VM for about 18 months.  Just
last week my boss told me to begin evaluating what it would take to migrate
our Linux environment to the iSeries.  We are looking at a M/F upgrade this
year (big $$$) and someone finally had the thought that we might be able to
run it cheaper on the iSeries.

Also in the last week a visiting BP asked if I'd heard that the iSeries was
"going away."  But what he meant was that OS/400 and AIX would soon be
running on common hardware.  As Frank Soltis asks, "What makes an AS/400 an
AS/400?"  If OS/400 is running on any hardware doesn't that make it an
AS/400?

I get tired of hearing complaints that IBM won't advertise the iSeries.  Who
can advertise it better that us?  I know of one shop running Domino for
several thousand users on a 740 12-way.  Their CIO decided that the
maintainence on the 740 was too expensive so now they're in the middle of
migrating their Domino environment to Windows® servers.  Most likely all
that needed to be done was for someone to mention that an 825 could do the
same work for 1/4 the cost. 

I can't imagine why a programmer would care what hardware the OS runs on.
(Please fill me in if anyone knows.)  As a sysadmin I do care, but unless
the powers that be decide to run OS/400 in an AIX LPAR (and hire an AIX
admin) I will still have my job.

Embrace change, step out of your comfort zone.  When someone mentions new
development, let them know that it can run on your iSeries.  Then be ready
to support it.  IBM has given us the products we need to push the iSeries,
but we have to be willing to tell management that we can support them.
Otherwise the new development will go to the kid who knows PHP/MySQL/Linux
and wants to run it on the Intel box under his desk.  If you run Linux on
your iSeries that kid may end up working for you.

Be like the Borg, tell your Linux developers (or WebSphere or Domino or
Imaging...) "Resistance is futile.  Prepare to be assimilated." 

BTW, for those that missed the Super Bowl ad, it's here: 
http://www-306.ibm.com/e-business/doc/content/ondemand/tvspot.html?P_Site=S9
4

Regards,

Scott Ingvaldson
AS/400 System Administrator
GuideOne Insurance Group


-----Original Message-----
date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 09:38:42 -0600 (Central Standard Time)
from: "Booth Martin" <Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: Re: IBM Linux Ad during Super Bowl

Are you suggesting that OS/400 and Linux are in some way intertwined or
comparable?   

Don when I read your postings of doom & gloom I always think of C. Little
and her warnings of the sky falling.  Change is inevitable, in fact huge
change is likely.  My gosh, I can remember when leading edge office
technology was a new Selectric typewriter in the office.  Choosing the font
balls we would need was a decision of the Technical Committe.   

In all the years since then IBM has always abandoned her new technologies
but has always helped her customers transition to the new technologies.  I
have little doubt but what that will continue.  IBM is still the King
because IBM has the means of production.  

My own reaction is that someone at IBM has a brain.  What a brilliant
strategy!  Linux may gain traction sooner than later now.  Maybe there is
hope for us iSeries folks after all now that companies managers are
beginning to recognize that  there is computing beyond Windows.  
 
Just as a plus that ad must have Bill Gates screaming and ranting.  <hee
hee>

Yes I have heard the fat lady sing.  But not for this show.
 
---------------------------------------------------------
Booth Martin   http://www.MartinVT.com
Booth@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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