How the i5s Compare with Other Big Boxes
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

If you happen to be one of the many thousands of OS/400 shops that need an a server that run in size from fairly large to monstrous, then I have good news for you. With some minor qualifications, the top-end eServer i5 Model 570 and Model 595 servers are absolutely competitive with big Unix, Windows, and Linux iron of equivalent raw computing power at both list price and at the street prices that IBM appears to be charging for these new machines. In some cases, an i5 beats the tar out of a big Unix box, which is kind of refreshing to see. READ MORE >

IT Salaries: Up, Flat, or Down in 2005?
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

With only another six weeks of business left in 2004, IT plans and budgets for 2005 are being mulled over. The data on the American and worldwide economy is mixed, as it has been for years, but there are encouraging signs that companies have adjusted to the uncertain conditions and the economy is improving enough to actually consider hiring IT staff again. But there are a few issues that loom large and could affect your potential raise in the coming year. READ MORE >

CSC Offers Trade-Ins to iSeries Shops Buying i5s and Fast400
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

It's the fourth quarter, the traditional time in the computer business for companies to make their best deals as they get the gear they need for the coming year. With many OS/400 shops making plans for their iSeries and i5 servers, California Sales Company, the distributor in the Americas region for the infamous Fast400 5250 governor buster, is upping the ante on an IBM trade-in deal to try to encourage customers to buy a new eServer i5 and to use Fast400 on it. READ MORE >

Mad Dog 21/21: Vow Tipping
by Hesh Wiener

You may have heard this story. Fraternity guys go into a pasture and quietly approach a contented cow that's asleep on its feet. They line up on one side of the cow and push it over. You may also have heard about the corporate executives who quietly approach the benefits package provided to their underlings, lean with their authority on the pension benefits of people who might as well be asleep, and knock them down. The company's balance sheet gets stronger, and its shares rise. READ MORE >

  But Wait, There's More

Tell Us What You Want in the Future i5, and We Will Nudge IBM . . . PeopleSoft Rejects Oracle's Final Offer . . . ACOM, Metafile Sign Joint Marketing Agreement . . . iSeries Storage Specialist eStorage Merges with Zzyzx . . . Brian Kelly Wants Your AS/400 Stories for His New Book . . . Solaris Is Free and Open-Source; OS/400's Time Has Come . . . Ingres Database on the iSeries? Why Not? . . . READ MORE >

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We value your feedback and insights. Feel free to send a letter to the editor. Letters may be printed, unless otherwise specified, and edited for clarity or length. READ MORE >

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