November's A Closer Look

[David Abramowitz]

I know that IBM is trying to get new customers, but as an old customer, I am confused by a lot of the initiatives. My clients are very happy with the fact that they don't <u>need</u> Unix, or NT, or Linux. Everything is handled, and I mean everything, from one integrated server. The fact that they don't need a plethora of other servers is their principle source of contentment, and here's IBM opening the box up to other OS. Quite frankly it has confused the customer. Not only that, but they're pissed at IBM's recalcitrant stand at enhancing OS/400. I'm not talking legacy here. The AS/400 will easily serve as a Web server, file server, database server, fax server, and application server. Just about the only thing it doesn't do is act as a firewall. So why would you need anything else? Evidently IBM is not thinking along the lines of platform strengths. Dave

[R.Daugherty]

It used to have a firewall, and even without firewall software the nature of OS/400 does not lend itself to a hacker getting through it to other points on the network if the AS/400 were the only IP address exposed. Yes, you are entirely right, Dave, but it is clear that Palmisaino and Duncan have a Websphere prime directive that precludes anything we have to say. rd

[R.Daugherty]

A really good analysis from Lee Kroon. The path we're on is so predictable it's a waste of time to rant about it anymore, so I'll just ask a couple of questions. What was the value proposition of the AS/400 and 5250 over the mainframe and 3270? Not that I care about Websphere, but that's what IBM wants us to buy and run, what is the value proposition of running Websphere on OS/400 over Unix? So within IBM's view of the world, what is OS/400's value proposition? And if the answer is OS/400 doesn't have one anymore, but iSeries does, what is it, and why? rd

[David Abramowitz]

Another publication recently published an article that showed how IBM had miscalculated with Websphere. In a nutshell, the article stated how Websphere was far too detailed, too complex, and too convoluted for a majority of shops. People still needed a tool, but a smaller, friendlier tool. This news is making its way into IBM right now. We shall see whether or not action is taken, or if customer needs are ignored. Dave

[Guest.Visitor]

Amen. I won't go near Websphere for many of the reasons you state. Add to those reasons that it's damn near impossible to hire anyone with Websphere experience. We'll stick with IIS. Yes, I know there have been sporadic reports of security holes, but we've kept up on the patches and have had no problems. chuck Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer. "David Abramowitz" <David_Abramowitz@mcpressonline.com> wrote in message news:6ae45aa6.2@WebX.WawyahGHajS... | Another publication recently published an article that showed how IBM had miscalculated with Websphere. In a nutshell, the article stated how Websphere was far too detailed, too complex, and too convoluted for a majority of shops. | | People still needed a tool, but a smaller, friendlier tool. This news is making its way into IBM right now. We shall see whether or not action is taken, or if customer needs are ignored. | | Dave