Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

Michael - I agree that having Open Source Software (OSS) on i is beneficial
to IBM if not directly to i customers. Here's my overly simple take on it:

Running OSS on i does not differentiate the platform. However, not running
OSS does. It makes the platform look out of step with the rest of the
industry and negatively influences the opinions that the i OS is closed,
proprietary, and doesn't play well with others. We in the i community know
better, but it's not our opinions that matter.

In addition, unless you're an ISV, platform decisions will generally be made
by the business (who go by what platforms run the apps they want) or by
C-level/near-C-level executives. If an app is multi-platform, the i has a
hard time competing as for various reasons businesses won't always buy into
the low TCO argument. But at least the i has a chance if it can run the
app. Not running OSS (and other cross-platform apps) removes the i from
consideration.


On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 7:49 AM, Michael Ryan <michaelrtr@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Larry -

Couldn't agree more. I'm using open source for a number of production
systems at clients, and they're happy as clams.

My point was about open source being beneficial to IBM, not to users of IBM
systems.

I'd love to be able to develop on a system where it won't break my bank,
and
where I don't have to fabricate a software solution to IBM to be in the BP
program.

And like Jim requested, I'll let my part of this thread die.

- Michael

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 8:42 AM, DrFranken <midrange@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Michael,

Many customers will take ANY reason to move off the IBM i platform.
If you need a utility or open source bit that is not available it's just
another nail in the coffin lid. "They don't even have xxx. Why should I
stay." I have used many bits and pieces from people like Scott Klement
and the COMMON Yips. Customer is happy, workload stays put.

Also who knows what the folks looking for time on the box are really
trying to do. Some may be doing open source but others may be working on
the next cool app. Maybe it sells boxes maybe not but we all know that
OS/2 didn't die because it was technically inferior, it died because
nobody could afford to program on it until it was too late. We don't
want that to be the reason people leave IBM i.

- Larry

On 5/14/2010 8:29 AM, Michael Ryan wrote:

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but why is this beneficial to IBM? I don't

think

people are going to buy new Power systems to run open source software,
especially when that open source software is probably already running

on

some other (read cheaper) platform. It may very well be beneficial to

IBM

users, but I'm not sure of the value to IBM. Thoughts?

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 1:24 AM, Schmidt, Mihael<

Mihael.Schmidt@xxxxxxxxxxx

wrote:

... and especially when it comes to open source projects (which are a

hobby

of mine) I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars (euros) for a box.

This

is where IBM must step in and offer at least a platform/host on which

I

can

develop some open source software. I don't know why IBM does not

recognize

that this would be very beneficial to them.

My 0.02 €

Mihael

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