Re: Acquiring a used IBM i Server - (repost)

message: 3
date: Fri, 2 Feb 2018 16:11:47 -0600
from: Bradley Stone <bvstone@xxxxxxxxx>
subject: Re: Acquiring a used IBM i Server - (repost)

If you're a developer, try contacting IBM to see if they can get you a new
little 21A or something. They often give discounts to developers.

In a brief conversation with an IBM rep over the chat function on their
website, I was told the entry level S812 hardware stack starts at $8000 and
that was about the end of that conversation.

I've got a nice little 515 sitting doing nothing stuck at V5R4. Trying to
figure out something cool to do with it. I'd sell it, but shipping on it
would cost a LOT.

My last gig was working on a v5r4 box and I don't think I would want to go
back, but thanks for the offer. :D

Professional equipment dealers simply can't afford to give a hobbyist a

20k discount on a 21k machine; especially when they can /easily/ get the
21k they're looking for by selling to a business - a business which will
generate repeat revenue for them.

No, the economics are not in the hobbyist's favour here. I keep my eye
on the local business closings / bankruptcy notices. They sometimes
sell off their assets for pennies on the dollar, and a few of them have
enough staff left to do what it takes to legally transfer the license
keys. The businesses which close tend to not use current generation
computers, so patience is truly a virtue here.

If I were you, I would develop /now/ on a timeshare machine/ Enhance
your skills - join one of the open source projects! Don't let your
skill set fade away while you wait for the perfect machine to come

around.

--
--buck

I'm not asking for anyone to discount a machine that heavily. I'm just
asking for a realistic point of entry to the platform.

Luckily my current gig is working with a POWER8 on v7r3 so I'm able to do
some skill improvement. There is tons of legacy code to contend with
though...

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message: 4
date: Fri, 2 Feb 2018 16:30:34 -0600
from: "Paul Nelson" <nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
subject: RE: Acquiring a used IBM i Server - (repost)

You're still in Minnesota?

https://www.fleetfarm.com/brand/tannerite/_/N-3208934750

:-)

Paul Nelson
Cell 708-670-6978
Office 409-267-4027
nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

If you guys go that route, I'd love to see video of the server's demise.