<i>vieux asked: What can I do to get the best machine at the lowest price? </i> <p>It really depends on what you mean by "best machine". If you are referring to top of the line with all the bells and whistles; software options; hardware and software support; etc, then you are approaching $750,000! <p>On the other hand, if you remove "best machine" from the equation you could pick up a used box at the low end with enough software options to be considered adequate for about $3,000. and even less in some cases. <p>Dave

A colleague of mine was asking the very same questions, and then stumbled across some web sites that provide hosting for 5250 emulations. <p>For what was, if I remember correctly, a one off and very reasonable amount of money, he was given the web-site and a user ID and password. It was something like virtualiseries.com, but my memory is beginning to let me down on these matters. Google would be your best bet at this point. <p>I suppose if you wanted to go down the Operations route, then investing in the hardware and building your own partitions and stuff is probably the way forward. I picked up a machine for around £300 (yes, GBP) 2 years ago with V5R1 pre-installed. It's the support and maintenance contracts that will make your eyes water, but at this kind of money I can run it till it blows and then replace it! <p>Best of luck with whatever you decide!

In fact I meant 'The best machine for a reasonable price' :) <p>I can't decide between buying a used AS400 (might be able to get one for 1500$), a 515 or waiting to get a brand new blade (I think 10000$ will be the base price). <p>I heard one could get pretty good rebates if he is an IBM partner (or developer, or whatever... can't remember for sure). <p>And yeah, the ugly part is software and hardware upgrades. <p>Precisely, all I need, for the moment, is V5R3 (minimum), DB2, SQL. <BR>
Sure, Websphere would be great, but I wont pay the big price for it. <p>I'm sure I'm not the only one wanting an affordable machine for software development. <p>While the TimeShare option is great for learning and keeping up with the latest improvements and techniques, I wouldn't rely on that for the development of a commercial product.

If you're developing a commercial product and willing to go through the paperwork of IBM's partner program, you can probably qualify for a 50% discount on a model 515, plus software and support. It sounds like the "express" configuration on the 515 would suite your needs nicely. <p>Nathan.

That would be great, I guess. <p>Now, let's try to find these forms on their website...

This isn't easy if you're a lone programmer. With the maintenance agreements and the constant need for applying updates and PTF's, and the potential power requirements, I found it too costly and time consuming. It's much easier and cost effective to go with a hosted solution. Then, all you have to do is program and let the hosters worry about all the rest. <p>If you ever become rich and famous and expand your business, then you can buy several and hire staff to run them. Good luck. <p>Please let us know what you decide. <p>Tom

I looked briefly at trying to figure this out awhile back. What I recall about it was something about IBM forbidding software transfers after a certain release (V5R1?) and not being able to understand much of anything about what it would take to buy a used iseries from the major used iseries vendors on the internet and acquire the RPG development software environment for it. <p> It was even worse trying to figure out from IBM what a 515 would cost. <p> Good luck to you. I gave up. (I ended up getting a hosted iseries account, which is fine for limited development.) <p> rd

I talked about my project with a few people during last week-end. <BR>
Everybody recommended to go with the timeshare option (Some also recommended to go on another, less expensive and less ugly UI platform...) <p>Any advice, suggestion or comment will be greatly appreciated.

I have to agree with you: IBM really seems to do everything they can to make this overcomplicated. <p>In fact, if I had a business with a sector I wanted to get rid of smoothly, I could not do better: <p>- Change the name of the machine every now and then (hey! let's call cheez-whiz... hmmm... cheez-i) <BR>
- Make it difficult to gather simple information for anyone interested. <BR>
- Make every upgrade part overpriced even though it is the same as those sold for 1/10th (mess with the microcode to prevent 'unauthorized use'). <p>Maybe a change of platform isn't so stupid, after all. <BR>
Too bad I really love RPG as a business programming language. <BR>
What is one to do with all the knowledge gained on the green machine?

I went through the same process this year. <BR>
Bought a little 270 for €1000. Without O/S. They are now cheaper than that on EBay (but I wanted 100Gb and 512 RAM). I also got gifted a little 150 :) <p>Lots of sites are now offering Limited AS400 usage for free. <p>Regards <BR>
Kit

How hard was it to get OS software for the boxes? <p> When I did a search of companies offering AS400 development accounts I think I saw one that said it was free but no longer around, or its name changed or something, and two or three others that had a month free trail. <p> The two vendors I dealt with were Rikascom.net and Timeshare400.com. I have no complaint with either one of them. <p> rd

I have used a timeshare at netshare400.com. They have two different systems depending on what options you need. I paid $40 for 6 months i believe. I was not using it much since I am consulting and connected to clients via VPN. You can FTP the software to/from their system. You are set up with your own libraries. <p>Best Wishes, <BR>
Steve

I have an account on Virtual400.com. They're currently on V5R4 and for a reasonable cost provide me with IFS access and Websphere for development. <p>Have fun, <BR>
Ken

My 9406-170 2290 V5R3 is for sale:<br>
2GB RAM, 32GB DADS (4 arms)<br>
1200$ CAD<br><br>
Since Vieux is french...<br>
Si tu demeure à Montréal, les frais de livraison peuvent être très minimes (pickup accepté) mail-moi si interessé: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hi all, <p>I'd like to develop at home using RPGIV ILE. <p>What can I do to get the best machine at the lowest price? <p>I don't need much power but I'd like to have a recent version of OS/400. <p>Any input welcome. <p>Thanks!