Re: Re: slanted article "Inside System Storage -- by Tony Pearson"

I like the way you think Ivan. :) 

On Sep 24, 2010, at 7:15 PM, Ivan Warren wrote:

> >
> > Make Hercules unable to run z/OS or z/VM except when it is running on IBM hardware.
> >
> > Make that rock solid impossible to bypass condition somehow - or have Roger or Jay express the desire to do so to IBM and gain their assistance in doing it - and IBM would almost certainly talk about licenses for major OS's under those provisions. At least for the sub 1000 MIP world.
> >
> 
> ..disregarding any point of validity about the theory..
> 
> You can't do that *BECAUSE* (or is it thankfully to) of the Open Source 
> nature of hercules..
> 
> 
Yes, but nothing says the IP owner cannot change his mind. It would be a hellacious 
battle after this long of a time (11 years? Seems like I remember compiling Herc in 1999...) 
but...

I like you idea better, but I would still bet on IBM putting a software check in z/OS that depended upon a
valid and encrypted key being there, if it is running on Hercules.  Or a USB dongle. Something unpleasant.

Without it, all that will run is Linux, or some other variant like MVS or ancient VM. 

> And technically, I can't think of any method (foolproof or not) that can 
> provide a guarantee we are running on actual IBM hardware.
> 
> But not ALL of IBM is this way..
> 
> For example, most of the products from SWG (SoftWare Group) are pretty 
> much 'trust' and usage based.. Almost none of their products require 
> keys or activation (exceptions are Rational products and Lotus 
> Foundations). It's basically : we trust you - but we may audit you. And 
> we give you the rules : With what you pay, you can do this and that - 
> Granted, we gave you something that can do much more, but with what you 
> paid you can only do so much... And since I work in that field - I can 
> guarantee, at least here (France) - this works ! Of course you have 
> companies that try to bypass those rules.. Or ignore them. But most are 
> very careful about it - because the legal implications are WAY more 
> costly than not paying the license fees.
> 
> If the mainframe group followed that method, they could very easily 
> leave it to the end user to *guarantee* they are within the rules.
> 
> (On a side note, it's already how it works.. You can enable/disable 
> Program Products to ensure conformance. And it's entirely voluntary).. 
> And adding : You may run hercules but only on IBM hardware wouldn't be 
> such a change).
> 
> Would it make a dent in IBM's hardware sale ? Very unlikely.. Au 
> Contraire.. It would BOOST IBM hardware sales - Mainframe or not.
> 
> 
I can see that. 

> Would it stifle Younguns or retired admins from trying z/OS on their 
> home computer? No.. But this would be EXACTLY what you would want. These 
> guys wouldn't buy a z196 just for to entertain themselves.. But keeping 
> up to date with the latest mainframe technologies is what they want to 
> do. And I would think that IBM would be more than wise to allow 
> independents & individuals to run the latest versions of their operating 
> systems for personal use!
> 
> 
That did not work out so well for DEC/Compaq. Great for users, fantastic PR, but not so hot for sales. 
Of course, VMS was always pretty cheap to run compared to IBM.


> Would TurboHercules benefit from such a change in IBM : Sure!
> 
> But the primary beneficiary would most certainly be IBM itself (No.. 
> People are not going to switch their z196 for hercules.. But if using 
> hercules is allowed, then I *might* be tempted into buying a z196!)
> 
> It's a Win-Win scenario.. And possibly the only way for IBM to benefit 
> from the whole thing! (remember : hercules is Open Source.. You can't 
> *BUY* this one out..)
> 
> 

<grin>


> --Ivan
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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