Re: V6R1

["Lukas Beeler" <lukas.beeler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 8, 2008 8:02 PM, Elvis Budimlic
<ebudimlic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > ... We're an IBM Premier Level BP. ...
> > ...  Even if it we could have access to prerelease Versions of V6R1,...
> Have you tried Virtual Loaner program?  You could get access to an LPAR for
> testing (I haven't asked them for V6R1, but I don't see why they couldn't
> provide it).

The Virtual Loaner Program does not provide access to V6R1, i just
verified that.


> > We bought an IBM System x3250 for this purpose. Runs well.
> So it's ok to buy a PC for testing but not a System i?

x3250: 2000 CHF
Model 515: 20000 CHF

> Is testing on System i less of a breeze?

Well, it isn't possible to procure hardware and OS, so testing is impossible.

> In my experience, IBM makes every possible effort not to break backward
> compatibility, result being vendor software that most of the time doesn't
> require any changes to run on new release.

Yeah well, that's why we're still stuck with 10char object names. But
of course this has it's advantages.

I know several vendors that have software that broke on V5R3 and V5R4.
Not ours though.

> I work for a vendor in US and while I can see that European vendor would
> have more challenges, I don't think they're insurmountable.

At least we get to see more tits on TV than you ;)

> Perhaps you should charge more for your System i software?  I mean, if it
> costs more to develop and test, why not?  Seems reasonable to me, of course
> if market can bear it.

Unfortunately, due to IBM's outrageous System i prices, we had to
lower our licensing prices significantly in order to stay competitive
with offering based on any other platforms (Windows, AIX, Linux, etc.)