Hi Jeff,
There is a fairly recent discussion on comp.sys.ibm.as400.misc where someone is trying to get IBM to issue a hobby type licence for IBM i family computers. It is entitled "Opening dialogue with IBM for hobbyist uses". Here is the URL for the discussion via google groups:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/comp.sys.ibm.as400.misc/QqELA8GP50o
Regards,
Kevin Wright
-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jeff Bull
Sent: Tuesday, 30 September 2014 7:28 PM
To: 'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'
Subject: OS/400 Authorisation Keys
Is IBM a Big Blue snake eating its own tail?
I have (rather foolishly perhaps) purchased an old AS/400 Model 170 to "play with" at home, well the price was right!
The system used to be owned by a retail chain here in the UK, and I have been told by IBM that it used to have V5R4 on it, so they do know about this system.
As a part of the recycling process the system/disks were initialised; it was then reloaded with V5R2, with a 70-day temporary key. Rather naively I thought that it would come with a permanent code.
I have been trying to obtain a permanent key for this little, old AS/400.
The IBM Software Key Support centre say they can't help, that I need to contact my IBM Business Partner - yeah right!, or the sales team who sold me the system - a one-man-company, not meaning to be offensive, but "tin-merchant". An IBM Business partner is going to take one look at me, see no potential revenue ... good-bye Jeff. Mr Tin-man is not set up for this kind of client support.
I really don't want to pay IBM's normal list price for an OS/400 licence on a system running V5R2, long since gone out of support, and for a system that will likely only last a couple of years before it has to go to the Big Blue Computer-Heaven in the Sky.
It is me being unreasonable to expect, and naïve to try, to get something discounted from IBM, suck in breath ... or the price even waived? I've worked on the AS/400, iSeries, System i and on System/38 before that since 1987. A little 'thank you' from IBM would be a nice gesture for my small part in the success of this platform.
Please, I need some inspiration on how to resolve this conundrum. Perhaps a nice person at IBM will read this posting and give me some advice, or even help me obtain the permanent code.
P.S. It gets worse though, I actually bought three 170's, the other two for friends/colleagues, so we could have our own little network. :|
Regards
Jeff Bull
Technical Manager
NYCO Ltd iSeries & AS/400 Automation Specialists
IBM Certified iSeries Technical Solutions Expert
IBM Certified iSeries System Administration Specialist
Tel: +44(0)118 327 1200
Mbl: +44(0)775 692 3335
VOIP: +44(0)118 328 2272
Email: <mailto:jeff.nyco@xxxxxxx> jeff.nyco@xxxxxxx
Skype: jeff-bull
Website: www.nyco.co.uk
Postal Address: NYCO Limited, Park House, 17 Headley Road, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 4JB, United Kingdom
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