Re: Insider Weekly Interview -- LINUX5250

"Jason M. Felice" wrote:

> Hello, all:
>
> I've just completed an interview with Peter Martin from the AS/400 weekly
> "Insider Weekly" regarding Linux and the AS/400.  (Mike referred him to me)
>  .....

We are using Linux in a mixed environment where we have an AS/400,
SCO Unix, Linux, and Windows 95.

Linux is hosting our Web Server, File Services (through Samba), DNS,
DHCP, Bootp, Email Server, Firewall, and boot host to 67 diskless Linux
workstations.

TN5250 is extremely successful in Center Line Michigan!!!!!!
Presently, we have 37 seats of TN5250 running daily in an
environment where people drive transactions all day long.
Within 2 weeks the total of 37 seats will climb to 67 seats of TN5250
running under X-windows on diskless Linux workstations.

In fact we will be removing 30 IBM 5250 Twinax terminals,
guess the dump-ster will be full in a couple of weeks.

>
>
> So I'd like to ask a few questions to satisfy my own curiosity:  The first
> one is somewhat of a poll:  What _do_ you use Linux for, specifically with
> how it relates to the AS/400?

......

> The next is for the people who have implemented Linux+tn5250 emulator for
> end-users and desktop systems -- how has that been received overall (be
> honest) - by people with no technical savvy specifically.

When we first installed TN5250 running under X-windows, the users
(technically illiterate) complained that the emulator window was smaller
than their 5250 green screens.  Explaining that with X-windows you
can be logged into the AS/400 one or more times viewing data
simultaneously between screens with the capability to cut and paste,
brought nothing but blank stares.

Just yesterday, a user of TN5250 of 4 months, was moved to a cube
were a 5250 Twinax green screen terminal was installed. Now, she
complains that she has only one login, has to back out of menus and
drill down a new path to get to the information instead of having
two or more screen views available.  (Finally, I think she got it!!!)

>
>
> The last two questions, Peter asked directly:
> What is the biggest drawback of using the 5250 emulator on Linux?

The biggest drawback for my client is FieldExit processing.
Yes I've contributed a good portion of that very broken code.
Actually, I'm surprised that there are not more complaints
about it on the mailing list.

>
> What is the biggest benefit of using the 5250 emulator on Linux?

The benefits of TN5250, well here's my story:

The short version of the story: http://www.ltsp.org/shortstory.html
or the longer version http://www.ltsp.org/longstory.html

TN5250 was the catalyst that resulted in spawning a new
business see http://www.disklessworkstations.com
and spawned an Open Source Project http://www.ltsp.org.

Am I excited about TN5250, well my actions speak for themselves.

>
>
> Wake up all you quiet people out there ;)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> -Jay 'Eraserhead' Felice
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--
Ron Colcernian
Dynamic Results                         EMail: rcc@dresults.com
300 Park Street, Suite 375              Voice: 248-642-1890
Birmingham, MI 48009                    Fax: 248-620-2963

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