RE: Using % type functions/using RPG IV

 >> Boost the technical competency of most AS/400 shops for free and guess where
customers are going to re-invest those budget dollars

This presumes that AS/400 shops have an education budget.  Also IBM probably
make a better margin on education than hardware.

Free training does not mean people use it.  Some regard anything free as worth
the price they pay!  Many User Groups are "free" or almost so - but still people
don't go. Why ?

When I was with IBM we used to do road shows on technical topics (including why
you should use RPG IV etc.) and the vast majority of customers did not attend
even when we mounted tele-marketing campaigns to invite them.  IBM has done much
better with phone ins, but they have limited use in a highly technical topic.
Similarly they are branching out into web-based education.

My take is that some shops recognize the value of training their staff and
others regard it as a threat to their ability to retain staff.  Those who
recognize the value will train their staff - those who don't won't.  The cost of
the training doesn't seem to be that big an issue.  For some programmers who
want to educate themselves in their spare time it does matter, but they are
looking for part-time and/or web based training.  For them Redbooks like our new
RPG one are a good source of material.


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