Re: New list proposal - OSS400 - iSeries open source software

On Wed, 09 January 2002, Martin Rowe wrote:

> And let's face it, the iSeries is a niche server

Except for price, this doesn't have to remain true. Some critical mass of 
open-source might make a difference. What with all the recent integrated 
support for open standards and facilities such as PASE, the "niche" can be 
expanded quickly. Much of the price has to do with software costs that 
open-source could help offset.

Unfortunately, an open-source movement tends to be in conflict with commercial 
software developers. For example, while I might gladly contribute to an 
open-source "UIM development environment" or "ObjectREXX compiler" project, 
it'd likely be a few years before I assisted in any way with any project 
involving security monitoring or auditing or similar. The troublesome point is 
that a given project often loses those with the most to contribute.

OTOH, a wide base of contributors can offset that loss and even 'experts' can 
benefit from the progress of a project.


>  I reckon that some could do it, with the right range of
> supporting services, but I expect most of it will continue to be from
> individuals or small groups that have a day job to support them.

Where it would get nice would be when IBM would finally make a significant 
contribution. Eclipse for Linux demonstrates that it's conceivable. I'd think 
the bad publicity from _NOT_ contributing to such a project for their own 
proprietary system might be enough to raise the odds. At the very least, we'd 
all have a better idea of IBM's real future plans for the iSeries.

Tom Liotta

--
Tom Liotta
The PowerTech Group, Inc.
19426 68th Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone  253-872-7788
Fax  253-872-7904
http://www.400Security.com


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