Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Paul Gilmartin]

On Tue, 30 May 2017 22:29:34 -0500, Mike Schwab wrote:
>
>> But a desktop system, outside the radius of destruction, with UPS?
>> And I'd expect the manuals on the MF to be replicated at the DR site.
>>
>Laptop with needed manuals.  Hours of power.  Recharge with vehicle. 
>
I'd count that as UPS.  And you could place the laptop on a desk.

>Data modem via cell phone tower.  Better for a flash drive than
>spinning drive.  Maybe even a bootable flash drive with needed
>software and manuals that can be connected to almost any PC and run.
>
Any of the above.

>Maybe even Hercules and a Stand Alone Recovery system with Spool and
>z/OS manuals?
> 
Licensing?  That might have to be an MVS 3.8 Recovery System.

-- gil

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Mike Schwab]

On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 10:30 AM, Paul Gilmartin
<000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:
> On Tue, 30 May 2017 08:43:15 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>>—SNIP—
>>
>>That is why I submit that HC manuals are still needed will always be needed.
>>When your system is down its down and having manuals on there MF is useless.
>>
> But a desktop system, outside the radius of destruction, with UPS?
>
> And I'd expect the manuals on the MF to be replicated at the DR site.
>
> -- gil
>
Laptop with needed manuals.  Hours of power.  Recharge with vehicle.
Data modem via cell phone tower.  Better for a flash drive than
spinning drive.  Maybe even a bootable flash drive with needed
software and manuals that can be connected to almost any PC and run.
Maybe even Hercules and a Stand Alone Recovery system with Spool and
z/OS manuals?


-- 
Mike A Schwab, Springfield IL USA
Where do Forest Rangers go to get away from it all?

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[John McKown]

On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Paul Gilmartin <
000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:

> On Tue, 30 May 2017 18:46:36 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.
> >>>
> >> How recently have you used one?  How long could you operate
> >> without using one?  What's in the HMC?
> >I use a mac everyday as for PC’s I stay away from them as long as I can.
> >
> I more intended "pc" generic than "PC" trademarked.  Is there a convenient
> inclusive term?  How do you classify Linux on a generic Intel system?
>

​Linux on Intel is often called "Lintel" vs. Window on Intel being
"Wintel".​



> On an Arm?
>

​Larm? Or, better, Linux/Arm. Or to satisfy RMS: GNU/Linux/Arm​

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anything.

Maranatha! <><
John McKown

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Paul Gilmartin]

On Tue, 30 May 2017 18:46:36 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>>> 
>>> I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.
>>> 
>> How recently have you used one?  How long could you operate
>> without using one?  What's in the HMC?
>I use a mac everyday as for PC’s I stay away from them as long as I can. 
>
I more intended "pc" generic than "PC" trademarked.  Is there a convenient
inclusive term?  How do you classify Linux on a generic Intel system?
On an Arm?

For a brief shining moment I had an employer who deprecated Windows
as a competitor's product.  Alas, I failed to request a MacBook Pro during
that interval because a surfeit of conscience misled me to conclude that
the Toshiba/Windows that accompanied me was sufficient.

>As for the HMC sorry I don’t touch them, I don’t trust them as you can bring 
>down the entire plex by accident. I don’t want the responsibility. That is 
>someone else bailywick.

-- gil

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 30, 2017, at 12:54 PM, Paul Gilmartin 
> <000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 30 May 2017 11:46:51 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>> 
>> I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.
>> 
> How recently have you used one?  How long could you operate
> without using one?  What's in the HMC?
I use a mac everyday as for PC’s I stay away from them as long as I can. 
As for the HMC sorry I don’t touch them, I don’t trust them as you can bring 
down the entire plex by accident. I don’t want the responsibility. That is 
someone else bailywick.

Ed
> 
> -- gil
> 
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[John McKown]

On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 12:54 PM, Paul Gilmartin <
000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:

> On Tue, 30 May 2017 11:46:51 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
> >
> >I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.
> >
> How recently have you used one?  How long could you operate
> without using one?  What's in the HMC?
>

​Even worse: The SE is a PC. Well, actually it is _two_ Intel based laptops
(active & backup). I don't recall what OS they are running.​ The SE is a
_critical_ resource since it holds all the MCLs and "firmware" which is
loaded at power up time. I have _no_ idea why IBM does this, other than
cost. I image that built-in 3270 et al. that was built in to the old 3090s
was an expense they wanted to live without.



>
> -- gil
>
>
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anything.

Maranatha! <><
John McKown

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Paul Gilmartin]

On Tue, 30 May 2017 11:46:51 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>
>I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.
> 
How recently have you used one?  How long could you operate
without using one?  What's in the HMC?

-- gil

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 30, 2017, at 10:30 AM, Paul Gilmartin 
> <000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 30 May 2017 08:43:15 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>> —SNIP—
>> 
>> That is why I submit that HC manuals are still needed will always be needed.
>> When your system is down its down and having manuals on there MF is useless.
>> 
> But a desktop system, outside the radius of destruction, with UPS?
> 
> And I'd expect the manuals on the MF to be replicated at the DR site.
> 
> -- gil


Absolutely. I have seen power outages that are “spotty” i.e. one floor has one 
floor does not.

I also don’t trust PC’s for various reasons.

Ed
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Paul Gilmartin]

On Tue, 30 May 2017 08:43:15 -0500, Edward Gould wrote:
>—SNIP—
>
>That is why I submit that HC manuals are still needed will always be needed.
>When your system is down its down and having manuals on there MF is useless.
> 
But a desktop system, outside the radius of destruction, with UPS?

And I'd expect the manuals on the MF to be replicated at the DR site.

-- gil

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[John McKown]

On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 8:43 AM, Edward Gould 
wrote:

> > ——SNIP--
> -
> > Again, to repeat, I think all vendors, including IBM, ought to improve
> what
> > they can. That's a necessary condition, but it's not sufficient and never
> > can be. You MUST have a "Plan B" that does not rely on your ability to
> > reach your vendor(s) continuously if you have mission critical needs and
> > take them seriously. In the case of Knowledge Center, IBM is equipping
> you
> > with an excellent "Plan B" option called the IBM Knowledge Center for
> z/OS,
> > included at no additional charge with your base z/OS license. You may or
> > may not have other contingencies, but that's an excellent one and is
> > available at no additional charge.
> >
> —SNIP—
>
> That is why I submit that HC manuals are still needed will always be
> needed.
> When your system is down its down and having manuals on there MF is
> useless.
>

​An ex-coworker was also an HC fan. But mainly so that he could put notes
in the books. He would periodically download then print a number of PDF
formatted manuals.​

My manager has a similar opinion of the reliability of the Internet.
Basically, all he thinks it is good for are news, comics, and some videos.
All of which are not time-critical. His opinion of people who use cloud
storage and things like AWS or Azure is basically that they are fools who
are betting the existence of the company on another set of companies all
working correctly (cloud company & the companies supporting Internet
connectivity). That's why a decent data center has an independent source of
electricity (UPS & a fueled up generator). Of course, since most generators
don't supply power to the entire building, keeping the machines up with no
users having connectivity is a bit "iffy". Except that it allows z/OS batch
to run. We have a few 3270 type terminals which are on a Visara controller
which is Escon connected to the z.


>
> Ed
>

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> ——SNIP---
> Again, to repeat, I think all vendors, including IBM, ought to improve what
> they can. That's a necessary condition, but it's not sufficient and never
> can be. You MUST have a "Plan B" that does not rely on your ability to
> reach your vendor(s) continuously if you have mission critical needs and
> take them seriously. In the case of Knowledge Center, IBM is equipping you
> with an excellent "Plan B" option called the IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS,
> included at no additional charge with your base z/OS license. You may or
> may not have other contingencies, but that's an excellent one and is
> available at no additional charge.
> 
—SNIP—

That is why I submit that HC manuals are still needed will always be needed.
When your system is down its down and having manuals on there MF is useless.

Ed
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Tom Marchant]

On Mon, 29 May 2017 12:47:09 +0800, Timothy Sipples wrote:

>I don't know why this concept seems so hard to understand, 

It isn't hard to understand. We are not the freakin' idiots that your 
condescending attitude suggests that you think we are.

>but let me try again. 

Please stop. We know that the internet isn't 100% reliable. 
The IBM servers are not nearly as reliable as the internet, and your 
repeated harping on the unreliability of the internet is a diversionary 
tactic.

-- 
Tom Marchant

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Tom Brennan wrote:
>I agree #2 and #3 are really important, but I think Allan was talking
>about #1.

I think #1 is *also* important! But #1 isn't sufficient for the required
outcome.

I try to focus on outcomes first. Unfortunately, in this particular case,
no matter what a vendor does -- and the vendors including IBM should do
better! (#1) -- they cannot assure the outcomes mission critical customers
require. Those mission critical customers (almost all of you) have some
role to play, too, including #3.

So please take advantage of IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS and/or other
contingencies. And yes, by all means, make sure IBM officially knows what
you need that IBM can accomplish. But...have a contingency (or a couple),
too.

Elardus Engelbrecht wrote:
>Many many years ago I could not submit my SCRT in time! Why? IBM was
>unavailable. Really!

In most countries there is now dual pathing (to some degree anyway, since
they're both Internet dependent) to submit SCRT reports: LMS Web and LMS
eMail. IETF RFC 1149 compliant submission of SCRT reports is not yet
available, as far as I know. There are also the "force majeure" situations,
yes.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Elardus Engelbrecht]

Ok, time for me to jump in and out...

Tom Brennan wrote:

>> I don't know why this concept seems so hard to understand,

>Because you're talking about multiple things:
>  1) Up-time of IBM online utilities
>  2) Reliability of our internet connection
>  3) Backup method in case a utility is not available (for any reason)

>I agree #2 and #3 are really important, but I think Allan was talking about #1.

He also talked about 'brain-dead PC weenies' who take down things in weekends. 
Sometimes they do that on Friday midday and bring everything back online on 
late Monday. Gr. (Ok, that was a bad filthy hobby of them in the past, 
but now and then they do it again, but at least with a warning BEFORE the time 
after the Top Brass moaned and groaned.)

My big concerns are #1 and #2. Simply if you're down and during an IPL, you 
need a bread-and-butter PTF to download for resolving an IPL problem. Failing 
that because big blue is down, we need to backout. Sofar it has not happened to 
us, simply because we have Plan A, B, C, D, etc., including testing out our 
Sandboxes and downloading+testing all the PTFs at our pleasant leisure. In any 
case, we are ready and prepared in case #1 is not true.

We have bookies on several places + formats including shared network folders 
and our own laptop folders. Also we have at least TWO different methods to use 
Internet to access IBM and other vendors websites as well our own mainframe 
network.

We have also more than one id to logon to IBM's websites, just in case someone 
is unavailable or his/her id is blocked.

Many many years ago I could not submit my SCRT in time! Why? IBM was 
unavailable. Really! To be fair, during that unfortunate time, we also have 
network outage here at my work and also connecting from Sunny South Africa to 
outside world. IBM accepted my excuse, they were aware of major outages over 
several networks including their own systems.

To be really fair, if you missed the deadline of 9th of a month, these days, 
you still have a few more days to conjure up an excuse why you're too lame to 
submit a SCRT report. ;-)

So, all in all, my biggest concern now is #2.

Groete / Greetings
Elardus Engelbrecht

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Tom Brennan]

Timothy Sipples wrote:

First of all, we're not talking about whatever Internet connections you use
for posting to Facebook.


In my case I am, because I'm most often working from home.

I don't know why this concept seems so hard to understand, 


Because you're talking about multiple things:

 1) Up-time of IBM online utilities
 2) Reliability of our internet connection
 3) Backup method in case a utility is not available (for any reason)

I agree #2 and #3 are really important, but I think Allan was talking 
about #1.


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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Tom Brennan wrote:
>When I'm trying to get to an IBM service and it's not
>available, it's highly likely the problem is on the IBM side.
>Why? because if it was a public/local internet problem I wouldn't
>be trying to get to an IBM service - I'd be trying to solve our
>internet issue so my wife can post pictures of her lunch on Facebook.

First of all, we're not talking about whatever Internet connections you use
for posting to Facebook. We're (typically) talking about corporate and
government networks with highly controlled public Internet access,
sometimes coping with "great firewalls" and other external interference.
There are *plenty* of factors beyond any single vendor's control that can
and do go wrong. It could be as simple as a DNS misconfiguration, a bad
routing table entry, a hosts file intercepting something it probably
shouldn't, a firewall that isn't configured correctly The list is
practically endless, and the fact some other site might work doesn't
necessarily mean it's an IBM problem.

I don't know why this concept seems so hard to understand, but let me try
again. YES, in my view, IBM ought to improve what it can improve. But you
MUST plan for the possibility of not being able to reach IBM, or any other
vendor, at every moment in time if you're running a mission critical
operation. Even if IBM executes perfectly, there are myriad reasons why the
path to IBM might be closed off to you at a particular moment in time.

Clark Morris wrote:
>If you need to get a fix, the Internet had better be working and most
>data centers are probably in deep trouble if it isn't working.

"Deep trouble" might be true, but the fact remains that those with mission
critical needs, who take them seriously, plan for exactly this class of
problems and have contingencies.

"The Internet" in this case is a multifaceted set of services and
configurations. It's entirely possible, even common, for your site to have
narrow "Internet" problems that nobody else is experiencing that are,
nonetheless, highly disruptive. Maybe somebody figured out how to clip your
wings selectively using router-targeted malware, to pick a random example.
Many problems are possible, and many happen.

>Microsoft understands this.

You've mentioned Microsoft and Amazon. They've both had widespread service
outages, many publicly known and well documented.

Again, to repeat, I think all vendors, including IBM, ought to improve what
they can. That's a necessary condition, but it's not sufficient and never
can be. You MUST have a "Plan B" that does not rely on your ability to
reach your vendor(s) continuously if you have mission critical needs and
take them seriously. In the case of Knowledge Center, IBM is equipping you
with an excellent "Plan B" option called the IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS,
included at no additional charge with your base z/OS license. You may or
may not have other contingencies, but that's an excellent one and is
available at no additional charge.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Clark Morris]

[Default] On 27 May 2017 22:03:38 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main
sipp...@sg.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples) wrote:

>Clark Morris wrote:
>>IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24 availability online of Shop Z
>>series (all software download) and the related problem reporting and
>>information facilities.
>
>Clark, what you're describing is NOT POSSIBLE. Any/every particular public
>Internet connection does not offer a continuous availability SLA, period.
>
>IBM can, and should (in my view), improve the part(s) of the service
>equation IBM can improve. But if you have mission critical needs you MUST
>plan for not being able to reach IBM -- or any other vendor(s) -- from your
>site(s). Sorry about that, but that's the simple reality. For everyone.

If you need to get a fix, the Internet had better be working and most
data centers are probably in deep trouble if it isn't working.  While
problems can be reported and researched by phone, if a fix is needed I
doubt dial-up will be adequate.  The entire problem resolution system
requires continuous availability.  Microsoft understands this.  That
IBM doesn't is one of the reasons I voted against the IBM Board.

Clark Morris
>
>
>Timothy Sipples
>IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
>E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com
>
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 28, 2017, at 12:03 AM, Timothy Sipples  wrote:
> 
> Clark Morris wrote:
>> IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24 availability online of Shop Z
>> series (all software download) and the related problem reporting and
>> information facilities.
> 
> Clark, what you're describing is NOT POSSIBLE. Any/every particular public
> Internet connection does not offer a continuous availability SLA, period.
> 
> IBM can, and should (in my view), improve the part(s) of the service
> equation IBM can improve. But if you have mission critical needs you MUST
> plan for not being able to reach IBM -- or any other vendor(s) -- from your
> site(s). Sorry about that, but that's the simple reality. For everyone.

Timothy:
I disagree if it was an IBM PTP connection it could be.
As I see it there are three weak points .
1. Internet
2. Depending on MS for anything.
3. TCPIP

Ed

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Tom Brennan]

Anecdotal:  When I'm trying to get to an IBM service and it's not 
available, it's highly likely the problem is on the IBM side.  Why? 
because if it was a public/local internet problem I wouldn't be trying 
to get to an IBM service - I'd be trying to solve our internet issue so 
my wife can post pictures of her lunch on Facebook.


No doubt we need a backup!  My method (and really my primary too) is a 
pile of PDF files downloaded to my Win10 desktop and also to my work 
laptop.  Works great - well, until IBM drops PDF files (which I hear 
could be on the way).  No problem, I'll just start memorizing all the 
IDC3009I return codes.  How hard could that be?


Timothy Sipples wrote:

Clark Morris wrote:


IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24 availability online of Shop Z
series (all software download) and the related problem reporting and
information facilities.



Clark, what you're describing is NOT POSSIBLE. Any/every particular public
Internet connection does not offer a continuous availability SLA, period.

IBM can, and should (in my view), improve the part(s) of the service
equation IBM can improve. But if you have mission critical needs you MUST
plan for not being able to reach IBM -- or any other vendor(s) -- from your
site(s). Sorry about that, but that's the simple reality. For everyone.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 27, 2017, at 5:58 PM, Clark Morris  wrote:
> 
>> cular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.
> 
> But from what I read here, the Knowledge Center has nowhere near the
> online availability of the Microsoft Knowledge base and related
> availability of fixes.  In short Microsoft has in my experience far
> greater RAS in this area than does IBM.  It has other problems but
> that is a separate issue.  IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24
> availability online of Shop Z series (all software download) and the
> related problem reporting and information facilities.  If necessary,
> they should contract out to Amazon or Microsoft.
> 
> Clark Morris  

Clark:

Good one. 

Ed

> 


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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Clark Morris wrote:
>IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24 availability online of Shop Z
>series (all software download) and the related problem reporting and
>information facilities.

Clark, what you're describing is NOT POSSIBLE. Any/every particular public
Internet connection does not offer a continuous availability SLA, period.

IBM can, and should (in my view), improve the part(s) of the service
equation IBM can improve. But if you have mission critical needs you MUST
plan for not being able to reach IBM -- or any other vendor(s) -- from your
site(s). Sorry about that, but that's the simple reality. For everyone.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[zMan]

FTR: You can *ask* for enhancements. Doesn't mean there's any interest or
commitment in fixing any of the things that make KC unusable for so many.

On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 8:04 PM, Paul Gilmartin <
000433f07816-dmarc-requ...@listserv.ua.edu> wrote:

> On Sat, 27 May 2017 19:58:35 -0300, Clark Morris wrote:
> >>
> >>That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public
> Internet,
> >>and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that
> assurance.
> >
> >But from what I read here, the Knowledge Center has nowhere near the
> >online availability of the Microsoft Knowledge base and related
> >availability of fixes.  In short Microsoft has in my experience far
> >greater RAS in this area than does IBM.
> >
> Is a limiting factor the relative sizes of the respective companies'
> revenue bases?
>
> >... It has other problems but
> >that is a separate issue.  IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24
> >availability online of Shop Z series (all software download) and the
> >related problem reporting and information facilities.  If necessary,
> >they should contract out to Amazon or Microsoft.
>
> -- gil
>
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Paul Gilmartin]

On Sat, 27 May 2017 19:58:35 -0300, Clark Morris wrote:
>>
>>That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet,
>>and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.
>
>But from what I read here, the Knowledge Center has nowhere near the
>online availability of the Microsoft Knowledge base and related
>availability of fixes.  In short Microsoft has in my experience far
>greater RAS in this area than does IBM.
>
Is a limiting factor the relative sizes of the respective companies'
revenue bases?

>... It has other problems but
>that is a separate issue.  IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24
>availability online of Shop Z series (all software download) and the
>related problem reporting and information facilities.  If necessary,
>they should contract out to Amazon or Microsoft.

-- gil

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Clark Morris]

[Default] On 23 May 2017 22:23:19 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main
sipp...@sg.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples) wrote:

>Allan Staller wrote:
>>The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same
>>order of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
>
>That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet,
>and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.

But from what I read here, the Knowledge Center has nowhere near the
online availability of the Microsoft Knowledge base and related
availability of fixes.  In short Microsoft has in my experience far
greater RAS in this area than does IBM.  It has other problems but
that is a separate issue.  IBM needs to be able to have 24/365.24
availability online of Shop Z series (all software download) and the
related problem reporting and information facilities.  If necessary,
they should contract out to Amazon or Microsoft.

Clark Morris  
>
>Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system
>feature. Please take advantage of it.
>
>
>Timothy Sipples
>IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
>E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com
>
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 25, 2017, at 11:12 AM, Timothy Sipples  wrote:
> 
> Edward Gould wrote:
>> I am sorry Timothy but that is an exposure I am not willing to chance.
> 
> What are you sorry about? Aren't you agreeing with me? I specifically
> suggested you can have a "Plan C" if you wish. You describe one possible
> Plan C: dead trees holding certain documentation, hopefully
> useful-in-the-emergency-circumstances documentation. We're certainly not
> disagreeing, at least as far as I can tell.
> 
> IBM Knowledge Center is available at IBM via the public Internet, but
> *nobody* is recommending exclusive reliance on that offering for your
> mission critical needs. If you're mission critical, you must plan for the
> "What if?" that you cannot access the IBM Knowledge Center on the Internet,
> for whatever reason(s). (They might be "good" reasons or not, but
> "whatever.") IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS is also available, at no
> additional charge with your base z/OS license. That's a *terrific* "Plan
> B." If you *still* want a Plan C, e.g. dead trees, no problem! I suggested
> that possibility! We're agreeing.


Not really. My first and only step is to C. The PC world is to unpredictable 
for it to be anywhere in the equation.
Not a good example but here is one example. Apple *USED* to make a very 
reliable OS. It was absolutely rock hard.
Then came Sierra  and it is no better than a windows PC now. I am close to 
chucking it and go with LINUX I am so disgusted with Apple sending out bug 
after bug after bug. The updates come about once every 2 weeks it is that bad. 
Right now they have a bug in MAIL.APP that is crippling my productivity. It 
actually takes me an extra two hours every day because of the damn bug.
I would never bet on the PC world (except against it).
IOW paper beats rock.

Ed
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Denis]

While your arguments are reasonable to have a plan C, it just sounds like a bad 
excuse for the provider of plan A to provide not more than 60% availability.
Keeping in mind that it used to be 90% availability.
 
60 and 90 are just numbers to describe the difference. And remember that the 
provider of plan A has not cut its prices by the same amount as its 
availability of plan A.
 
Denis.
 
 
-Original Message-
From: Timothy Sipples <sipp...@sg.ibm.com>
To: IBM-MAIN <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU>
Sent: Thu, May 25, 2017 6:14 pm
Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE 
process now

Edward Gould wrote:
>I am sorry Timothy but that is an exposure I am not willing to chance.

What are you sorry about? Aren't you agreeing with me? I specifically
suggested you can have a "Plan C" if you wish. You describe one possible
Plan C: dead trees holding certain documentation, hopefully
useful-in-the-emergency-circumstances documentation. We're certainly not
disagreeing, at least as far as I can tell.

IBM Knowledge Center is available at IBM via the public Internet, but
*nobody* is recommending exclusive reliance on that offering for your
mission critical needs. If you're mission critical, you must plan for the
"What if?" that you cannot access the IBM Knowledge Center on the Internet,
for whatever reason(s). (They might be "good" reasons or not, but
"whatever.") IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS is also available, at no
additional charge with your base z/OS license. That's a *terrific* "Plan
B." If you *still* want a Plan C, e.g. dead trees, no problem! I suggested
that possibility! We're agreeing.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Edward Gould wrote:
>I am sorry Timothy but that is an exposure I am not willing to chance.

What are you sorry about? Aren't you agreeing with me? I specifically
suggested you can have a "Plan C" if you wish. You describe one possible
Plan C: dead trees holding certain documentation, hopefully
useful-in-the-emergency-circumstances documentation. We're certainly not
disagreeing, at least as far as I can tell.

IBM Knowledge Center is available at IBM via the public Internet, but
*nobody* is recommending exclusive reliance on that offering for your
mission critical needs. If you're mission critical, you must plan for the
"What if?" that you cannot access the IBM Knowledge Center on the Internet,
for whatever reason(s). (They might be "good" reasons or not, but
"whatever.") IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS is also available, at no
additional charge with your base z/OS license. That's a *terrific* "Plan
B." If you *still* want a Plan C, e.g. dead trees, no problem! I suggested
that possibility! We're agreeing.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 25, 2017, at 12:24 AM, Timothy Sipples  wrote:
> 
> Allan Staller wrote:
>> The issue to me is the brain-dead PC weenies that think it is OK
>> to take a production system (i.e. the "tools") for 24 or 48 hours at
>> a time. Usually on the weekend, when those systems are need most by
>> the customer.
> 
> I agree that IBM can and should do better. But even when IBM improves,
> nobody can assure that you will be able to reach IBM at every moment. You
> must still have a "Plan B" if you are operating with a mission critical
> requirement. Fortunately you have one, and it's no additional charge with
> z/OS: IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS.
> 
> Edward Gould wrote:
>> Will not use KC due to unreliability. When its 2 AM (or anytime for
>> that matter)  and my system is down I don’t want to hear excuses.
> 
> You can protect IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS services to your organization
> just as you do any/all other z/OS-based services. If *all* of your z/OS
> LPARs are down, then (a) you have a big problem (!), and (b) you need a
> "Plan C." Your Plan C preferably should not depend on public Internet
> connectivity to IBM or to anyone else.
——SNIP——
I am sorry Timothy but that is an exposure I am not willing to chance.
If all my systems are down and the PC weenies don’t care or manana or what ever 
( I have yet to see a PC Weenie be up at 2 AM to fix any problem).
I keep anything valuable M Init & TNG etc etc etc in hard copy at my locked 
desk and only my boss and myself have a key.
In the past I have been known to run to different floors to find a real manual. 
Now its in MY desk and MY responsibility.
I am terrified of having to show up in the directors office and offer an excuse 
as to why all the systems were down for X many hours because a damn PC or the 
Internet or anything out of my control was responsible. I would be fired on the 
spot and I wouldn’t blame them. I love my job and do not want to lose it 
because of somebody else’s “oops”.
Ed
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Steve Horein]

On Thu, May 25, 2017 at 12:24 AM, Timothy Sipples 
wrote:


> You can protect IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS services to your organization
> just as you do any/all other z/OS-based services. If *all* of your z/OS
> LPARs are down, then (a) you have a big problem (!), and (b) you need a
> "Plan C." Your Plan C preferably should not depend on public Internet
> connectivity to IBM or to anyone else.
>
> My understanding is that IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS (and the Internet
> IBM Knowledge Center) supports "Plan C" as well, facilitating downloads to
> laptops/tablets of selected documentation (for example).
>
> 
> 
> Timothy Sipples
> IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
> E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com


So there is a Knowledge Center for L/U/W? If *all* my z/OS LPARs are down,
having the various (proprietary?) *.inv, *.ditamap, *.jar KC files on my
desktop/laptop are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Allan Staller wrote:
>The issue to me is the brain-dead PC weenies that think it is OK
>to take a production system (i.e. the "tools") for 24 or 48 hours at
>a time. Usually on the weekend, when those systems are need most by
>the customer.

I agree that IBM can and should do better. But even when IBM improves,
nobody can assure that you will be able to reach IBM at every moment. You
must still have a "Plan B" if you are operating with a mission critical
requirement. Fortunately you have one, and it's no additional charge with
z/OS: IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS.

Edward Gould wrote:
>Will not use KC due to unreliability. When its 2 AM (or anytime for
>that matter)  and my system is down I don’t want to hear excuses.

You can protect IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS services to your organization
just as you do any/all other z/OS-based services. If *all* of your z/OS
LPARs are down, then (a) you have a big problem (!), and (b) you need a
"Plan C." Your Plan C preferably should not depend on public Internet
connectivity to IBM or to anyone else.

My understanding is that IBM Knowledge Center for z/OS (and the Internet
IBM Knowledge Center) supports "Plan C" as well, facilitating downloads to
laptops/tablets of selected documentation (for example).


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[zMan]

On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 8:49 AM, Allan Staller 
wrote:

> Actually, KC seems to be one of the better of the "new tools".
>
> However, the new tools are neither as reliable, functional, nor
> (especially)available as the tools they are replacing.
>

Now there's a marketing slogan: "Crappier than what you used to have, but
sucks less than the competition".
Alas, that's good enough nowadays...

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Out The Darkness Just for All My Haters]

Sure. Feel free to get it all out. It really is not any less of what I have
been receiving.
Apparently I have made myself an easy target.
Im open for more anyone else want to add anything?

On May 24, 2017 6:09 AM, "Allan Staller" <allan.stal...@hcl.com> wrote:

> The public internet does not seem to be the issue. The issue to me is the
> brain-dead PC weenies that think it is OK to take a production system (i.e.
> the "tools") for 24 or 48 hours at a time.
> Usually on the weekend, when those systems are need most by the customer.
>
> They could also use a large dose of quality control. I can't count the
> number of 404 pages return.
> The arbitrary change of URLs that have been in use for years.
>
> I can go on for a long while if you would like.
>
> -Original Message-
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On
> Behalf Of Timothy Sipples
> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 12:23 AM
> To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU
> Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using
> the RFE process now
>
> Allan Staller wrote:
> >The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order
> >of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
>
> That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public
> Internet, and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that
> assurance.
>
> Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system
> feature. Please take advantage of it.
>
> 
> 
> Timothy Sipples
> IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
> E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com
>
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Allan Staller]

" Will not use KC due to unreliability. When its 2 AM (or anytime for that 
matter)  and my system is down I don’t want to hear excuses."

Agreed!



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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Edward Gould]

> On May 24, 2017, at 12:23 AM, Timothy Sipples  wrote:
> 
> Allan Staller wrote:
>> The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same
>> order of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
> 
> That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet,
> and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.
> 
> Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system
> feature. Please take advantage of it.
> 
> ———

Will not use KC due to unreliability. When its 2 AM (or anytime for that 
matter)  and my system is down I don’t want to hear excuses.
Ed
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Tom Marchant]

On Wed, 24 May 2017 04:11:04 +, Anthony Thompson wrote:

>The BIG advantage to KC is that it is web-searchable

No, the advantage of KC is that it is current.

The ability to search is poor compared to BookManager 
books, including those served by BookServer, such as those here:
http://publibz.boulder.ibm.com/cgi-bin/bookmgr_OS390/Shelves/all13be9

-- 
Tom Marchant

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Carmen Vitullo]

I absolutely agree, this past weekend I was performing a memory upgrade on one 
production CEC, had some issues I could not resolve with my local KC, and 
needed some good solid doc, and came across the same issue 404's on a google 
search that let me to 'page not found' 
same kind of folks that here, locally decide to do maint on Citrix servers on 
the weekend, these servers used by on-call and my team to logon from home. 
I also could go on. 



- Original Message -

From: "Allan Staller" <allan.stal...@hcl.com> 
To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU 
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 8:09:02 AM 
Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE 
process now 

The public internet does not seem to be the issue. The issue to me is the 
brain-dead PC weenies that think it is OK to take a production system (i.e. the 
"tools") for 24 or 48 hours at a time. 
Usually on the weekend, when those systems are need most by the customer. 

They could also use a large dose of quality control. I can't count the number 
of 404 pages return. 
The arbitrary change of URLs that have been in use for years. 

I can go on for a long while if you would like. 

-Original Message- 
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf 
Of Timothy Sipples 
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 12:23 AM 
To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU 
Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE 
process now 

Allan Staller wrote: 
>The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order 
>of magnitude as the systems they are supporting. 

That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet, and 
your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance. 

Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system feature. 
Please take advantage of it. 


 
Timothy Sipples 
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA 
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com 

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could be intercepted, corrupted, 
lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or may contain viruses in 
transmission. The e mail and its contents 
(with or without referred errors) shall therefore not attach any liability on 
the originator or HCL or its affiliates. 
Views or opinions, if any, presented in this email are solely those of the 
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views or opinions of HCL or its affiliates. Any form of reproduction, 
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Allan Staller]

The public internet does not seem to be the issue. The issue to me is the 
brain-dead PC weenies that think it is OK to take a production system (i.e. the 
"tools") for 24 or 48 hours at a time.
Usually on the weekend, when those systems are need most by the customer.

They could also use a large dose of quality control. I can't count the number 
of 404 pages return. 
The arbitrary change of URLs that have been in use for years.

I can go on for a long while if you would like.

-Original Message-
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf 
Of Timothy Sipples
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 12:23 AM
To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE 
process now

Allan Staller wrote:
>The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order 
>of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.

That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet, and 
your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.

Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system feature. 
Please take advantage of it.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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(with or without referred errors) shall therefore not attach any liability on 
the originator or HCL or its affiliates.
Views or opinions, if any, presented in this email are solely those of the 
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distribution and / or publication of this message without the prior written 
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HCL is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please 
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Timothy Sipples]

Allan Staller wrote:
>The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same
>order of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.

That'd be lovely, but unfortunately it's not possible. The public Internet,
and your particular connection to it, simply doesn't offer that assurance.

Fortunately the IBM Knowledge Center is a base z/OS operating system
feature. Please take advantage of it.


Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: sipp...@sg.ibm.com

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Anthony Thompson]

KC can be installed locally, with reduced functionality, as of z/OS 2.2. You 
don't have to depend on IBM servers.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The BIG advantage to KC is that it 
is web-searchable, unlike the majority of third-party mainframe (and other 
platforms) software products' documentation.

And having said that, I vastly prefer PDF's. Much easier to scroll through.

Ant.  

-Original Message-
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf 
Of John McKown
Sent: Tuesday, 23 May 2017 10:32 PM
To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Subject: Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE 
process now

On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 7:49 AM, Allan Staller <allan.stal...@hcl.com>
wrote:

> Actually, KC seems to be one of the better of the "new tools".
>
> However, the new tools are neither as reliable, functional, nor 
> (especially)available as the tools they are replacing.
>
> Once IBM get out of the mindset that "It's OK to take down the support 
> portal for 24 hours, during the prime customer outage window" I might 
> back off on this stance.
>
> The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order 
> of magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
> The tools and mechanisms to provide this RAS are available, certainly 
> on *IX and (possibly) Windoze.
> IBM needs to exploit the mechanisms.
>

​Or as with what happened to me yesterday. I'm reading something. I click on 
the arrow to go to the next page. The site gets an 503 (Server
Unavailable) for I don't know how long. Longer than my cursing out IBM and KC. 
And, no I cannot download the entire KC for all the products I need. I don't 
have a big enough local drive and the SAN people send dunning emails if your 
personal share takes up "too much space" for "unnecessary" (in their opinion) 
files.​


--
Windows. A funny name for a operating system that doesn't let you see anything.

Maranatha! <><
John McKown

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Re: FYI: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Kirk Wolf]

Is this a live load test for the RFE system? :-)

Kirk Wolf
Dovetailed Technologies
http://dovetail.com

On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 7:27 AM, John Arwe 
wrote:

> I know KC is a "popular" topic here [ducks].
>
> Net net, you can now submit/vote/comment on KC enhancement requests on
> the web
>
> Direct link:
> https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?
> use_case=changeRequestLanding_ID=0_ID=1672=17=14
>
>
> if the URL parameters change incompatibly some day, that's in
> the RFE community at https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/
>
> From the RFE community page, the simplest route I've found is to
> - click in the All Products drop-down and type "know"
>   (which is enough, as of today, to get you to KC...
>   over time, more characters might be required)
> - hit Enter to select IBM Knowledge Center
> - click on the icon to the right of the product drop-down
>   (looks like a bold-face greater-than sign)
>
> --- full text ---
> IBM Knowledge Center is now in the Request for Enhancement (RFE)
> Community, where external IBM product users can make suggestions for
> improving our IBM KC application and its content. Besides opening and
> tracking new requests, users can also search existing requests, and
> comment on them as well. The RFE Community provides a great opportunity
> for users to interact more directly with the IBM KC and product
> development teams. So we urge you to tell your customers about it
> through your interactions with them, through social media, and through
> your product documentation! Visit the RFE Community and check it out!
>
> Related RFE Community information
> Help - https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=tutorials
> You can find the following topics on the Help tab.
> -Learn about the request process
> -Learn about how to submit, view and send out notifications on requests
> -How to search for requests
> -How to watch for and get notified on requests
> -How to use groups
> Note: You need an IBMid and password to use any feature other than Help.
>
>
> --- John Arwe, IBM
>
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> For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions,
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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[John McKown]

On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 7:49 AM, Allan Staller 
wrote:

> Actually, KC seems to be one of the better of the "new tools".
>
> However, the new tools are neither as reliable, functional, nor
> (especially)available as the tools they are replacing.
>
> Once IBM get out of the mindset that "It's OK to take down the support
> portal for 24 hours, during the prime customer outage window" I might back
> off on this stance.
>
> The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order of
> magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
> The tools and mechanisms to provide this RAS are available, certainly on
> *IX and (possibly) Windoze.
> IBM needs to exploit the mechanisms.
>

​Or as with what happened to me yesterday. I'm reading something. I click
on the arrow to go to the next page. The site gets an 503 (Server
Unavailable) for I don't know how long. Longer than my cursing out IBM and
KC. And, no I cannot download the entire KC for all the products I need. I
don't have a big enough local drive and the SAN people send dunning emails
if your personal share takes up "too much space" for "unnecessary" (in
their opinion) files.​


-- 
Windows. A funny name for a operating system that doesn't let you see
anything.

Maranatha! <><
John McKown

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Re: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[Allan Staller]

Actually, KC seems to be one of the better of the "new tools".

However, the new tools are neither as reliable, functional, nor 
(especially)available as the tools they are replacing.

Once IBM get out of the mindset that "It's OK to take down the support portal 
for 24 hours, during the prime customer outage window" I might back off on this 
stance.

The RAS for the support systems needs to be as least on the same order of 
magnitude as the systems they are supporting.
The tools and mechanisms to provide this RAS are available, certainly on *IX 
and (possibly) Windoze.
IBM needs to exploit the mechanisms.

 

-Original Message-
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf 
Of John Arwe
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 7:27 AM
To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Subject: FYI: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the 
RFE process now

I know KC is a "popular" topic here [ducks].

Net net, you can now submit/vote/comment on KC enhancement requests on the web

Direct link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=changeRequestLanding_ID=0_ID=1672=17=14


if the URL parameters change incompatibly some day, that's in the RFE community 
at https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/

From the RFE community page, the simplest route I've found is to
- click in the All Products drop-down and type "know"
  (which is enough, as of today, to get you to KC...
  over time, more characters might be required)
- hit Enter to select IBM Knowledge Center
- click on the icon to the right of the product drop-down
  (looks like a bold-face greater-than sign)

--- full text ---
IBM Knowledge Center is now in the Request for Enhancement (RFE) Community, 
where external IBM product users can make suggestions for improving our IBM KC 
application and its content. Besides opening and tracking new requests, users 
can also search existing requests, and comment on them as well. The RFE 
Community provides a great opportunity for users to interact more directly with 
the IBM KC and product development teams. So we urge you to tell your customers 
about it through your interactions with them, through social media, and through 
your product documentation! Visit the RFE Community and check it out!

Related RFE Community information
Help - https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=tutorials
You can find the following topics on the Help tab.
-Learn about the request process
-Learn about how to submit, view and send out notifications on requests -How to 
search for requests -How to watch for and get notified on requests -How to use 
groups
Note: You need an IBMid and password to use any feature other than Help.


--- John Arwe, IBM

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FYI: you can request improvements to IBM Knowledge Center using the RFE process now

[John Arwe]

I know KC is a "popular" topic here [ducks].

Net net, you can now submit/vote/comment on KC enhancement requests on
the web

Direct link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=changeRequestLanding_ID=0_ID=1672=17=14


if the URL parameters change incompatibly some day, that's in
the RFE community at https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/

>From the RFE community page, the simplest route I've found is to
- click in the All Products drop-down and type "know"
  (which is enough, as of today, to get you to KC...
  over time, more characters might be required)
- hit Enter to select IBM Knowledge Center
- click on the icon to the right of the product drop-down
  (looks like a bold-face greater-than sign)

--- full text ---
IBM Knowledge Center is now in the Request for Enhancement (RFE)
Community, where external IBM product users can make suggestions for
improving our IBM KC application and its content. Besides opening and
tracking new requests, users can also search existing requests, and
comment on them as well. The RFE Community provides a great opportunity
for users to interact more directly with the IBM KC and product
development teams. So we urge you to tell your customers about it
through your interactions with them, through social media, and through
your product documentation! Visit the RFE Community and check it out!

Related RFE Community information
Help - https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=tutorials
You can find the following topics on the Help tab.
-Learn about the request process
-Learn about how to submit, view and send out notifications on requests
-How to search for requests
-How to watch for and get notified on requests
-How to use groups
Note: You need an IBMid and password to use any feature other than Help.


--- John Arwe, IBM

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