On 21 Apr 2010 07:35:48 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main you wrote: >John, > >That WikiPedia article also states that DMSII was created by Burroughs >(later UniSys) as a database to run on its processors. Does that mean >they are still running UniSys machines. If so they have problems over >and above COBOL "not being taught". It sounds like a typical government >non-upgrade environment. Now they are caught in the dark ages and >instead of upgrading to modern DB2 and COBOL on proper processors they >are probably going to "throw out the baby with the bath water" and get >OMG - WINDOWS.
The intelligent upgrade would be to a current Unisys offering which has a migration path from the existing system if disruption is to be avoided. Another alternative would be to consolidate on a platform already understood by the agency. I suspect that moving to COBOL and DB2 on z could be more painful and costly than a number of other alternatives. > >Tom Kelman >Enterprise Capacity Planner >Commerce Bank of Kansas City >(816) 760-7632 > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On >> Behalf Of McKown, John >> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:37 AM >> To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu >> Subject: Re: COBOL - no longer being taught - is a problem >> >> Easy solution. Declare COBOL a national treasure and force all >> Universities in Canada to teach it as a prerequisite to any other >Computer >> Science class. Or at least as a graduation requirement for a >Bachelor's >> degree in CS. That's "the government way". Just pass a law. I mean, I >had >> to take classes that I didn't like in order to get my B.Sc. in Math. >(like >> English and History), Why not require COBOL? It's no more arbitrary >than >> anything else that nobody wants to take. And there are PC based COBOL >> compilers (at least for Windows). DMSII doesn't ring a bell, but >according >> to Wikipedia: <quote>DMSII provided: an ISAM model for data access, >> transaction isolation and database recovery capabilities.</quote> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unisys_DMSII . So all that is needed is >> another database system which has the same API to replace it. >> >> -- >> John McKown >> Systems Engineer IV >> IT >> >> Administrative Services Group >> >> HealthMarkets(r) >> >> 9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010 >> (817) 255-3225 phone * (817)-961-6183 cell >> john.mck...@healthmarkets.com * www.HealthMarkets.com >> >> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential >or >> proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please >> contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the >original >> message. HealthMarkets(r) is the brand name for products underwritten >and >> issued by the insurance subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. -The >> Chesapeake Life Insurance Company(r), Mid-West National Life Insurance >> Company of TennesseeSM and The MEGA Life and Health Insurance >Company.SM >> >> >> >> > -----Original Message----- >> > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List >> > [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Mike Baldwin >> > Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:25 AM >> > To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu >> > Subject: COBOL - no longer being taught - is a problem >> > >> > Hi IBM-MAIN, >> > >> > Yesterday Canada's well-respected auditor-general released a report >> > complaining that aging government computer systems could halt >> > delivery of >> > basic services. So we're bracing for the usual criticism of >> > 'old mainframe' >> > systems. Today there are some specifics, including COBOL: >> > >> > "Auditor-General reports that updating systems could cost billions >> > ... >> > Ms. Fraser said the problem is so bad that some key programs >> > may shut down. >> > ... >> > Meanwhile, Canada's National Immigration Program runs on a >programming >> > language - COBOL - that is no longer being taught and the staff that >> > understand it are retiring. The program also uses a database >> > system called >> > DMSII that dates back to the 1970s...." >> > >> > http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/government-wont-l >> > et-aging-computers-halt-basic-services-day-says/article1540750/ >> > >> > Maybe you guys and girls have some ideas that would save us >> > taxpayers from >> > paying rising interest on more billions borrowed. >> > >> > Regards, >> > Mike Baldwin >> > Cartagena Software Limited >> > Markham, Ontario, Canada >> > http://www.cartagena.com >> > >> > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, >> > send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN >INFO >> > Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html >> > >> > >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, >> send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO >> Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html > > >***************************************************************************** >If you wish to communicate securely with Commerce Bank and its >affiliates, you must log into your account under Online Services at >http://www.commercebank.com or use the Commerce Bank Secure >Email Message Center at https://securemail.commercebank.com > >NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files are >confidential. 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