WebSphere Problems

["Donald Burdette" <dburdett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We are very frustrated with WebSphere. We were able to get version 2 of
websphere up and running, we used the WebStudio product to create some very
fundamental servlets and everything was working. Since we wanted to have 128
bit encryption we decided to upgrade to 3.02. We have not been able to get
things working since then.

We had a long spell where we could not even get the thing to run, but after
numerous PTF's and untold dollars with IBM support, we have the product
running to the point where we can at least display the "Hello World"
servlet. But we can't seem to publish any of our previous servlets. They
either crash or we get a "not authorized' command. I suspect that a lot of
problems may be security related, but I have no idea what I should do to
correct them.

The documentation sucks. There isn't anything remotely like a manual for
WebSphere on the AS/400 and the manuals that are out there for NT or some of
the other platforms seem to contradict one another, usually due to
differences between the various websphere versions. So, what am I to do?
The programmer I have working on this is ready to revolt. He has had
experience with IIS and thinks the WebSphere stuff is a pile of you know
what.

We went to the IBM WebSphere conference in Las Vegas and most of the
instructors there had never heard of an AS/400. Go figure.

So my questions are these:

1) Are there any good materials, on the web, book form or written on a
napkin that can give us some clear instructions on how get websphere running
and publish servlets using WebStudio?
2) Is 3.02 flawed? Should we wait for 3.5 and magically life will be better?
3) Should we look at hiring a consultant to get us over the hump?  If yes,
where would we find one?  Do you know any?
4) Should we forget websphere and do something else?

I am looking forward to your answers!

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