On Monday, 12/13/2010 at 05:06 EST, Tom Duerbusch <duerbus...@stlouiscity.com> wrote:
> IBM had a program. If you were a developer, you could sign up and have time on > one of IBMs' mainframes. Kind of like the old time sharing services back in > the '60s and '70s. > > It seems to me that it resurfaced with Linux development but I haven't heard > anything about it in, at least, 5 years. Yes, it's offered by the Dallas Systems Center as part of the IBM Innovation Center, but it is open only to PartnerWorld members. If you are in the *business* of software development, IBM has programs to help you. I'm not aware of anything within IBM to address hobbyists' needs. There is an opportunity for others to fill that niche, but I think it's telling that no one has done so in a general way. Remember that the service provider has to pay licensing costs for the software on their system, including 2nd level z/OS guests. (There's no such thing as a free z/OS.) Further, they accept responsibility for YOUR use of the software, which triggers risk management. (Gotta read those license agreements carefully!) And even a niche provider has to break even on wetware, software, hardware, and environmentals. Alan Altmark z/VM and Linux on System z Consultant IBM System Lab Services and Training ibm.com/systems/services/labservices office: 607.429.3323 alan_altm...@us.ibm.com IBM Endicott
