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Opening dialogue with IBM for hobbyist use
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tell...@gmail.com
Aug 7, 2014, 3:40:14 AM8/7/14
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Hello all,
I've never posted here before and only really thought to give it a shot tonight after a rather interesting response to a completely off the cuff email I sent in a fit of "Why not" a few days ago. I sent a message to the inbox of the IBM CEO, regarding the possibility of IBM being able to open up access to older OS/400 versions for hobby uses. Instead of being completely ignored, I amazingly received a reply from someone high up in the i platform hierarchy asking me to give him a call.
So, I gathered what remained of my wits after dealing with a consulting client of mine, and gave a call. I like to think it went well, and apparently we'll be speaking again in the next week or so. The person I some with at first seemed to not understand that hobbyists and collectors might even exist for the 400 as a separate entity from actual professional users. But I think I was able to illustrate that I at least qualify as such. I'm actually fairly hopeful that if there is a way that IBM can find a simple and legal way to allow hobbyist use of older and unsupported systems, this might be a good start.
So that brings me here. What might people suggest that I mention or recommend this person look at? I don't want to name names just yet, but this is really someone that can make a difference.
My own history with the AS/400 is very brief. I purchased a Model 250 from a local warehouse that was closing up shop, and am in the progress of trying to learn the platform from the most basic entry level. I've always respected and feared these "black boxes of serious business", and am really enjoying the process of learning what I can. But, it's tough. I'm missing some software that would be useful, documentation is tough to find from a "start at zero" point and I don't have any local resources at all to draw on for knowledge and advice. I come from a general retrocomputing background and have been collecting vintage hardware for the last few years. The 400 isn't exactly vintage, but it really does work in a way that nothing else ever has. My hope is that perhaps IBM can be convinced to allow hobbyists to have free licenses that come with no support, for old versions up to V5R4. Does this sounds reasonable? Is my idea flawed? I get the feeling that this might not be an impossible task for once and would really like to not screw it up.
-Josh J.
Carson City NV
I've never posted here before and only really thought to give it a shot tonight after a rather interesting response to a completely off the cuff email I sent in a fit of "Why not" a few days ago. I sent a message to the inbox of the IBM CEO, regarding the possibility of IBM being able to open up access to older OS/400 versions for hobby uses. Instead of being completely ignored, I amazingly received a reply from someone high up in the i platform hierarchy asking me to give him a call.
So, I gathered what remained of my wits after dealing with a consulting client of mine, and gave a call. I like to think it went well, and apparently we'll be speaking again in the next week or so. The person I some with at first seemed to not understand that hobbyists and collectors might even exist for the 400 as a separate entity from actual professional users. But I think I was able to illustrate that I at least qualify as such. I'm actually fairly hopeful that if there is a way that IBM can find a simple and legal way to allow hobbyist use of older and unsupported systems, this might be a good start.
So that brings me here. What might people suggest that I mention or recommend this person look at? I don't want to name names just yet, but this is really someone that can make a difference.
My own history with the AS/400 is very brief. I purchased a Model 250 from a local warehouse that was closing up shop, and am in the progress of trying to learn the platform from the most basic entry level. I've always respected and feared these "black boxes of serious business", and am really enjoying the process of learning what I can. But, it's tough. I'm missing some software that would be useful, documentation is tough to find from a "start at zero" point and I don't have any local resources at all to draw on for knowledge and advice. I come from a general retrocomputing background and have been collecting vintage hardware for the last few years. The 400 isn't exactly vintage, but it really does work in a way that nothing else ever has. My hope is that perhaps IBM can be convinced to allow hobbyists to have free licenses that come with no support, for old versions up to V5R4. Does this sounds reasonable? Is my idea flawed? I get the feeling that this might not be an impossible task for once and would really like to not screw it up.
-Josh J.
Carson City NV
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