RE: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

... and especially when it comes to open source projects (which are a hobby of mine) I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars (euros) for a box. This is where IBM must step in and offer at least a platform/host on which I can develop some open source software. I don't know why IBM does not recognize that this would be very beneficial to them.

My 0.02 â

Mihael

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of DeLong, Eric
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:50 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

Which is why IBM need to do this... Building a development community (Rational CafÃ's, DeveloperWorks, etc) is great, but if the little guys can't afford to buy/lease a box to work on, then it means nothing...

I'd like to participate in some open source projects, but I cannot because I do not have a host to develop on. I can't use my employer's hardware to host personal development projects... The timeshare services do not offer current OS, tooling, etc. How would a timeshare pay licensing for WDS (SEU/SDA/RLU seat charge)? IBM is the only supplier that could pull this off.

-Eric

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Oberholtzer
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:18 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

The problem with putting up such a cloud is not the cost of acquisition
of the hardware, rather the software. I have looked into the
requirements for putting up a modest size cloud solution to rent out in
less than year long increments. Hardware, doable, but until IBM i, and
AIX and more importantly the appropriate Licensed Program Products can
be leased from IBM on a short term basis, the cost recovery model falls
apart quickly.

Having spoken to some folks at IBM about the situation I am not holding
my breath that a licensing model that makes this type of service viable
is imminent in any way.

Jim Oberholtzer
CEO/Chief Technical Architect
Agile Technology Architects, LLC


On 5/12/2010 8:57 AM, elehti@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Aaron,
Sounds like a business opportunity to offer.
Who of us will become the premier IBM I hosting provider offering that
solution?
EricL