Re: CODE400 4 Free

[flagler@xxxxxxxxxx]

FROM:   FLAGLER  KEENE     Flagler, Rick: Manager, IT                           
   

DATE:   JUNE 2, 2000
SUBJECT:        Re: CODE400 4 Free                                              
           
REFERENCE:      <872568F2.005ED0E2.00@d53mta05h.boulder.ibm.com> <3937F6D6.F    
           


I concur that most AS/400 shops would like a newer, better tool set and 
less pieces and parts. Also, to allow customers to get an idea (I think 
IBM calls it a Technology Preview) would be very helpful and timely 
before developers spend huge resources to create something new. 

I CAN say that in my involvement with students, at a College that's a 
member of IBM's Partners in Education program on the AS/400, there was 
much negative to say about PDM, SEU and other green screen tools and 
positive things to say about Code Editor, Designer and VARPG. 

Oddly, several of the seniors who took AS/400 classes got opportunities 
to work in AS/400 environments this summer and although they presumed 
they'd never "see green" again, they are! The cool and sexy GUI stuff is 
what really attracts the next generation of developers and without that 
attraction, we all go belly-up in a hurry. Code designer, for example, is 
fundementally a better/faster way to create file DDS or ultimately SQL. I 
think IBM should preview their plans for development tools frequently. RF