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July 22, 2008

I Truly Want an i

I want an i! I do. I want it right here in my office so that I can use it every day. So what if I’m a person and not a shop. So what if I'm an editor and not a programmer/analyst. If I’m going to edit and write articles about the i, I want one.

I’ve seen i boxes on stage at COMMON, but I’ve never touched one. I long to fiddle with RDi-SOA tools, to analyze web applications developed with J2EE/RPG, to become one with PHP, to code SQL statements, and to explore database security options.

My i scrapbook features pictures of the i as a System/32, S/34, S/36, S/38, and AS/400. I drool at the sleekness of the latest boxes, stacks, and racks shown in the IBM website photo gallery. I’d like to order the entire model 570, 520/525, 595 (with I/O tower), 550 (with minitower), and 515 package. Do you think IBM would send Frank Soltis, too, to sort it all out and plug everything in?

Aficionados say the i stands for indestructible, innovative, incredible, and imaginative--the qualities of a perfect office mate.

But wait! I just discovered a cardboard stand-up of an IBM System i5 in a storage room. I’m dragging it through the hall right now. I’m setting it up right next to my desk. I’m staring at it, I’m touching it. I’ve got an i! Neener, neener! Now, how does it work?

--Vicki Hamende, application development & database editor

Posted by vhamende at July 22, 2008 3:41 PM

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Comments

Why do people persist in the notion that the IBM i predates 2008? I understand putting it in the same family, but i is from a different generation.

IBM i Child,
AS/400(RISC) Parent,
AS/400(CISC) Grandparent,
S/36 & S/38 Great Grandparent
and so on.

Posted by: Scott at July 23, 2008 1:24 PM

Hi Vicki,
If you are, or can become, an IBM PartnerWorld member, you can achieve most of your heart's desires. While you can't physically touch the machines, (unless you are in Dallas) you can "fiddle with RDi-SOA tools... analyze web applications developed with J2EE/RPG... become one with PHP... code SQL statements, and ... explore database security options" using the IBM Virtual Loaner Program (IBM VLP) systems, offering access to IBM i 5.4 or 6.1 on POWER5+ or POWER6 (570) hardware (as well as AIX and Linux) to IBM PartnerWorld members. Right from your office. Go to ibm.com/systems/vlp and give it a try. You can pretend you are connected to your cardbard stand-up, and it works :-) Sorry, we don't provide Frank Soltis directly, but we do in spirit.

Posted by: Harlon Trowbridge at July 23, 2008 2:01 PM

Ask Mark Shearer to give you one!

Posted by: Rick at July 23, 2008 2:13 PM

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