Buying an iSeries thru the Partners in Development program

["Steve Landess" <steve_landess@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

List,

I am considering applying to IBM to purchase an iSeries system thru the
Partners in Development program.  I currently have a membership in this
program.  I have a product/service that I want to develop for the iSeries.

I currently have two OLD systems.  One of them is a P01 Model 2 (the
original portable, running V2R3).  The other system is a 40S, running V3R6.
Neither has an ethernet adapter.  In fact, the only way that I can network
the P01 to the 40S is thru a Black Box modem eliminator using X.25
communications via the SDLC adapters.  Both systems are just too old for
what I want to accomplish in developing my application, since I want to use
the latest technology and development tools from IBM.

1) Have any of you used this channel to acquire a system?
2) Is it very difficult to qualify for purchase/lease thru this program?
3) What are the advantages/disadvantages of using this channel to acquire a
system?
4) What are the legal ways that you can use a system acquired thru this
channel?
5) Can I purchase a used system and acquire the software thru the Partners
in Development program?
6) ?????

Thanks in advance for any advice that you may have to offer...