Re: AS/6000

["Roger Pence" <rp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

LS--

> But Roger, where can I find more details on PASE

There aren't any details available on PASE right now. As best I know now
(and the technical stuff I know comes first-hand from those that know, not
other rumor mill pages!): PASE gets announced next Monday at Partner World
and will _not_ require recomplilation of AIX binaries. Although it's been
reported that that isn't correct, it is. It is a Unix runtime. It's on the
AS/400 today (check install licensed programs) and was slipped in several
releases ago for SmallTalk/400. At least one other AS/400 ISV figured out to
put PASE to work. PASE was never documented, nor was it ever referred to out
loud as a Unix runtime.

Hard to say what it all means right now; at least potentially PASE (it won't
be called that when it it gets announced) would make issues like the AS/400
needing a special Websphere port or goofy, proprietary firewall products
unnecessary.

My guess is that many narrow-minded AS/400 shops will get their shorts in a
bunch over PASE, mistakenly thinking its a bad thing, not a good thing. It's
a good thing, for sure. Although the cynical amongst us could also make the
arguement that this is the first in a series of steps to merge the AS/400
and RS/6000 lines.... Hmmmm... It's gonna be interesting.

Keep your ear to the ground and watch for the announcement next week.

rp

PS: By way of backing up the doom and gloom of that article, have you guys
checked the dismal AS/400 4th quarter results. 1999 was a grim year for the
AS/400.


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