The World Is Not Going To End In 2012
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

People are unlike computers in a lot of different ways, but one of the similarities is that both machines and members of the Homo sapiens species like to mark time. Computers need to mark time to function properly, and people, well, we do it to get in rhythm with and to push against our environments and, I sometimes think, just to give us a little drama in our lives. I don't know about you, but I have had plenty of drama in the past decade and I would like to declare 2012 a No Drama Zone. READ MORE >

Rocket Software Buys iCluster HA Biz From IBM
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

The high availability software market in the IBM i space is getting off to an interesting start in 2012 now that Rocket Software has bought the iCluster software business from IBM. The deal was announced on January 4, but was actually closed by Rocket Software and IBM on December 31 for an undisclosed sum, and it puts iCluster logical replication software in the hands of a third party that plans to invest in the product and grow the business. READ MORE >

IBM Delivers Open Source Version of EGL Tools
by Alex Woodie

IBM in December announced the release of Eclipse EGL Web Developer Tools (EWDT) version 0.7, the first open source version of its EGL development tool. The new tool builds on the free EGL Community Edition software that IBM put out in 2008 and gives IBM i shops another option for developing rich Web applications that run on the IBM i operating system and can access RPG logic. READ MORE >

As I See It: Punxsutawney Blue
by Victor Rozek

If you were the kind of kid who plotted the ignition point of ants frying under a magnifying glass, or dreamed of creating artificial intelligence because your family didn't understand you, then growing up to be an IBM researcher is not unlike winning the lottery. Eccentricity is not a barrier. If you're brilliant enough and have a compelling idea--even an idea that may not find practical application for decades--the vault will open, cash will come pouring out, and you can play with house money for years. READ MORE >