Bears' Turns
by Hesh Wiener

You're not alone if you've become skeptical about the near term prospects for banks that have overpaid for assets. The banks are having trouble selling these assets because they can't find trusting buyers. With so many people asking hard questions about bankers and financiers, this nosy, impolite attitude is becoming infectious. It is even spreading into other areas, such as information technology. Some customers are subjecting vendors' claims about value to serious examination, and while this prudence might be practical, it isn't pretty. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories from Around the Web

(Chicago Tribune) Any time the economy has gotten a little tight in the past decade and people start hunting around for decent paying jobs, the mainframe usually comes up as a surprising (to outsiders, at least) subject of conversation. Some of the biggest companies in the world have continued to invest in these systems despite the onslaught of Unix, Windows, and Linux gear--even at their own companies--and with Baby Boomers getting ready to retire, now might be a good time to make a career shift to mainframe platforms. (Note: Check out the cool graphic that goes along with this story.) READ MORE >

(Wired) Happy 44th birthday, System/360. April 7, 1964, was the day IBM announced the first of a venerable line of what became known as mainframe computers after making a staggering $5 billion investment in developing a scalable, compatible line of mainframes. That's roughly $40 billion in cash--real cash, not the hooey that Wall Street peddles--in 2008's dollars, and is arguably the biggest gamble that any public company ever made. And in this case, did it sure ever pay off. READ MORE >

(InfoWorld) You need a good laugh? This spoof IBM Global Services announcement for the System z platform could give you a chuckle. Then again, it could just turn out to be a little too close to the truth. . . . READ MORE >

(Redmondmag.com) It would seem to be a pretty hard task to get Microsoft or anyone who is a Microsoft enthusiast to say anything good about the new System z10 mainframe that IBM announced last month. But, it does happen from time to time, as this article shows. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

See our full calendar of events at
http://www.itjungle.com/big/big-calendar.html

April 6-11 -- Las Vegas, Nevada - Impact 2008, IBM's Smart SOA Conference is a showcase for WebSphere as the foundation, the tools, and all the materials needed to create a service oriented architecture. Technical experts from IBM, analysts, and companies that have implemented SOA solutions are taking the starring roles in this production. In addition to educational sessions and keynote addresses, there will be a solution center expo area. LEARN MORE >

May 18-22 -- Orlando, Florida - Users of IBM's Tivoli Maximo and Netcool software have their own conference dedicated to integrating the silo environments that are prevalent in many data centers and improving service management. Included in the event will be presentations by more than 100 customers and business partners and one-on-one meetings with IBM executives, industry experts, and analysts. LEARN MORE >

June 4-6 -- Chicago, Illinois - The IBM Energy Efficiency Initiative takes center stage at the "See Blue, Think Green" Technical Conference that brings together technical experts and business leaders. Sessions will concentrate on best practices in energy efficiency, innovative power and cooling technologies, and eco-friendly asset disposal services. There will also be technical sessions and hands-on labs featuring IBM's most recent system announcements (including Power Systems, Mainframe Systems, Storage Systems, and Modular Systems) to present platform-specific topics. LEARN MORE >