[cross-posted to VSE and Linux] A while ago I mentioned the possibility of obtaining special educational discounts for hw/sw from IBM (outside of the normal 15% discount for software). Since then I did some specific checking since many of our customers at Sytek could expand their mainframes for use by the academic department, especially with Linux being so easy to set up and take down in a VM environment. What I found out was interesting:
The original program, HESC, allowed sites to obtain highly discounted software for admin AND academic usage. The replacement program, SzAU, makes the academic percentage of usage stand at 80% minimum, but is not accepting new members. If you aren't a SzAU member now, then you cannot join. Assuming you aren't SzAU, you have two options: One is to ask your Business Partner (that could be Sytek, by the way) to apply for special pricing from IBM given your interest in academics, and IBM is likely to grant a very decent discount off the hardware and software fees if you promise to use a sizable portion of the machine for teaching Linux (and agree to be a reference). This will be especially effective if, for instance, you are moving from a 20-mip older machine to an 80-mip z800. The second option is to dedicate IBM hardware to academics in exchange for absolutely FREE software via IBM's Scholar's Program (including z/VM, DB2, whatever you want). This could be for any IBM machine, from a PC through a mainframe. It will not get you a break on the hardware (although you could apply for special pricing as explained above), and you can't use it for any type of productive use outside of teaching students. For more information, go to: http://www.ibm.com/software/info/university/ _____________________________________________________________________ Robert N. Kusche Sytek Services, Inc. Voice: (360) 734-2278 Fax: (360) 734-3212 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.sytek-services.com
