RE: TR4 tidbits...

Here's the deal, I have an IBM support contract and I'm not afraid to use
it. I suspect there's many people who have an IBM support contract but:
- they don't know it.
- only the admin knows it and he's 'too busy' and won't register
additional users
- they won't use it out of some determination to resolve it themselves.
- they are afraid it will be as tricky as calling into other computer
vendors and long hold times and other unpleasantness.
- management won't let them use it because if they do then it will appear
worthwhile to continue maintenance.

There's been times I've had one IBMer attached via 'assist on site' and
another attached via STRRMTSPT. Both working on different issues.

I've had a tour of the IBM PMR section in the white buildings at
Rochester. I've had some of them come in on a day off when there just to
go to lunch. I've received a casual invitation to a wedding for someone
in support I've never physically met.

Many of my PMRs have been already noticed by others and it's 'take two
PTFs and call me in the morning'.
Some are 'here's a better way to do it...'.
Some are new and IBM will generate a new APAR and issue a fix.
A rare few I get a test fix and apply that.
A very rare few I get a test fix and it's not quite right and IBM reissues
it to me. If I've applied that permanently IBM gets torqued. Sometimes
IBM threatens me with a 'you want it fixed then by golly you reslip the OS
and reapply the other ptfs'. But that normally only lasts long enough for
me to learn my lesson and then cooler heads prevail. It is additional
work for IBM though and I appreciate their efforts.

Sc... Microsoft.

Rob Berendt