RE: What is an i5 (iSeries, AS/400)

        Perhaps I have the luxury of not having to deal with the situation yet 
, but IMHO, a computer system that 
        runs multiple operating systems, (here's where I'll be called a 
heretic), is akin to a person with 
        dual personality.i.e mental illness.

        I frankly think, the industry, for the sake of competition, and in the 
guise of 'productivity'  or consolidation , are pushing the 
        envelope too far.
        Corporations have successfully squashed the 
Manager/Analyst/Programmer/Operator/Floor washer functions 
        down to some ungodly category, perhaps Tech Analyst), just to save a 
truck load of money, and of course 
        we wonderful systems people just keep lauding them for doing so.

        As each wonderful permutation of computer functionality appears, so too 
does another highly complex
        set of programs to control and manage the unwieldy beast.

        If any of you out there saw the movie City Slickers, you'll remember 
the scene where Jack Palance is asked 
        by Billy Crystal what the secret to success is, and Jack holds up just 
one finger. the punch line was knowing just 
        one thing successfully.
        I've generally taken that approach in IT, but lately, I'm getting a bit 
stressed, and , like the song goes

                "I'm not the only one...'



Ken Shields
PPG Canada Inc
Ph: 905 725 1144 (326)
Fx: 905 433 8712