Re: V5R1 Install Changes

["Neil Palmer" <neilp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI - reply from IBM re V5R1 Software Installation Manual changes /
InfoCenter..

----- Forwarded by Neil Palmer/DPS on 2002/03/19 12:44 -----


"Anne Lucas" <alucas@us.ibm.com>
2002/03/19 10:21


        To:     neilp@dpslink.com
        cc:
        Subject:        Re: V5R1 Install Changes


Feel free to distribute this .....  thanks!







                      Jerry Barry
                                               To:      Anne
Lucas/Birmingham/IBM@IBMUS
                      03/18/2002 05:45         cc:
                      PM                       From:    Jerry
Barry/Rochester/IBM@IBMUS
                                               Subject: Re: V5R1 Install
Changes(Document link: Anne)









Ann,  We've heard this before!  Basically, we couldn't do everything
needed
at V5R1, so we staged the implementation.  Here is a more detailed
analysis:

Paths to information
There are two paths customers take to access software installation
information -- the InfoCenter and the hardcopy book.

The Information Center is designed to be (and marketed throughout all of
the out-of-box experience deliverables) as the starting point for iSeries
information.  If customers begin their software installation process in
the
InfoCenter, the path they take is fairly clean.  Customers follow this
path
starting with the first category of information in the InfoCenter
navigation bar:

   System planning and installation --> Hardware and software --> Software
   and licensed programs

>From this point, customers are directed to begin their software
installation process in the Prepare to install articles.  They are then
directed to the PDF version of the Software installation manual where the
steps for actually doing the install are contained.  This transition from
articles to book is just another link and happens all within the confines
of the InfoCenter.

However, if customers begin with the Software installation hardcopy book
(or the PDF in the InfoCenter), they are given the path and link to
Prepare
to install articles in several places throughout the book.  The navigation
path and/or link to the Prepare to install articles appears in many
places,
including:

      The summary of changes in the very beginning of the book (first item
      in the list)
      Pages 5 and 6 of Chapter 1, Overview concepts
      Pages 8 and 9 of Chapter 1, Prepare for install--Overview
      The very first paragraph of Chapter 2, Where to begin
      As the first item in nearly all the checklists that appear in
Chapter
      2 (see pages 12 through 14 for examples)
      As a bold, italicized, centered statement by itself at the end of
      Chapter 2, which reads:  "Always begin by reading the planning
      material as noted in the Prepare for software installation topic in
      the iSeries Information Center."
      The second paragraph in the "Before you begin" section of Chapter 3:
      Replacing a release using automatic installation
      The second paragraph in the "Before you begin" section of Chapter 4:
      Replacing a release using manual installation
      The second paragraph in the "Before you begin" section of Chapter 5:
      Installing software on a new iSeries server (with the operating
      system already installed)
      The second paragraph in the "Before you begin" section of Chapter 5:
      Installing software on a new iSeries server (without the operating
      system already installed)
      ....similar format for the remaining chapters of the book....

Thus we did our best to make the location of the Prepare to install
information as visible as possible -- though we know it is not an ideal
design and never had any intention of staying this way forever.  Our plan
was and continues to be to move the remainder of the book to the
InfoCenter
as soon as possible.

Regards,  Jerry Barry

DDR/004-2E101  8/553-3666  (507)-253-3666
IBM iSeries User Technologies T/CEM

http://www.ibm.com/eserver/iseries/infocenter
http://www.ibm.com/eserver/iseries/oper_nav/welcome.htm



================================================================


Jeff,

I found that extremely frustrating also.

It has been awhile though.  I am not sure how much of that was dynamic.  I
can understand it for referring you to dynamic information, like the
memo-to-users, read-this-first and stuff like that.

If you are really unhappy, you can always fill in the card in the back of
the manual and send it in.

Rob Berendt

=====================================================================


In the mists of my memory, I think someone has complained about this
before, but here goes.

MODES(*RANT *VENT)

Does anyone know why IBM removed Chapter 3 ("Preparing to Install
Software") from SC41-5120 Software Installation and put in in the
Infocenter?  In prior versions all that info was contained in 1
document, the Software Installation manual, where it belonged.  This put
everything in one manual for installing a new release.

Now, instead I have to get a bunch of HTML from the Infocenter.  And it
isn't contained in one organized document, I had to press PRINT and BACK
umpteen gazillion times.  If it's going to be in the Infocenter, at
least make it printable as a PDF or something.

But why remove it from the manual in the first place?  It seems so
ludicrous to me that I must be missing something obvious to everyone
else.  Either that or IBM is purposely trying to make the iSeries so
hard that it takes IBM Global Services to fix everything after you're
done.  Sheesh, IBM doesn't need competition to kill the iSeries, they'll
do it themselves.  The lab people need to get out into the real world
and breathe some clear air for awhile.

MODES(*CLEARALL)

I feel better now. <g>

--
Jeff Crosby