Re[2]: IBM dumb move #3,912,347 -- MIDRANGE-L


     Geez Batboy, I think you've completely missed out on this one. Just 
     so you understand, I'll summarize the problem for you....
     
     1) IBM (a world leader in IS technology) has never had much success 
     in producing electronic manuals. If Bookmanager was their best 
     attempt at a softcopy reader, then they need to just drop the whole 
     notion of softcopy CD (seems this one must be so...... many books 
     will not be available on CD anymore......) 
     
     2) IBM's web access to manuals isn't working because (1)they don't 
     have single site access to all of the appropriate information, 
     (2)their web navigation really bites, and (3)they don't implement 
     the available technology to make these e-books truly useful 
     (searchable).
     
     3) IBM is NOT selling bound manuals for many of the most useful 
     topics. Available only on the web (leaving out a HUGE segment of 
     the working world).
     
     I've never really complained about Softcopy library on CD, because 
     it's always been so useful, despite its many flaws. However, 
     compared with (at least one) competitors electronic resource 
     materials, IBM seems totally incompetant. This information is so 
     very necessary to the success of the AS400, and IBM seems to want 
     to hide the very best of it away. 
     
     eric.delong@pmsi-services.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: IBM dumb move #3,912,347 
Author:  <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com > at INET_WACO
Date:    9/2/99 9:39 PM


Gosh Batman, I had the same problem. Just surfed over to www.as400.ibm.com,
clicked on the manual, and I had HTML, with hotlinks, right in front of me. Got
the information I needed, but decided I would really like a manual. No problem,
go back a link, and I select a .PDF version onto my hard drive. A 1.396M file
took less than 30 seconds on my DSL line (128/384).

Here's what I have now-
1. Instant access to every IBM manual, updated to the most current level.
2. A .PDF image of the manual, WITH hotlinks from the index, on DISK.
3. I can copy the .PDFs to a CD,
4. Access available anytime, anywhere in two different formats. HTML and PDF

What did I loose?
1. Hundreds of pounds of unneeded material.
2. The responsibility for keeping the manuals updated
3. Waiting for manuals to be delivered.

IBM gains -
1. They can get out of the printing business
2. Reduce pollution and waste.
3. Conserve resources
4. Ability for non customers to view the AS/400 manuals.

I personally keep a few PDF manuals on my PC, but usually rely on the web.
IBM is  only changing delivery methods, the paper manual is still here, only IBM
IS  shipping them electronically. Gee, eManuals!

Sounds like we need to move into these bold new things.

Bob

"Marion, Bob" wrote:

> It is really annoying when fighting problems and can not find manual.   A
> few weeks back when I upgraded to V4R4, wasted a lot of time trying to
> locate manuals on SQL for V4R4.
>
> Changing distribution of AS/400 manuals:
>
> Eliminate hardcopy of manuals unless purchasing
> Eliminate softcopy of manuals on CD
> Eliminate loading manuals on AS/400
> Have only internet access to manuals
> Locate certain manuals at different URLs and have us guess which manual is
> where.
>

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