[Discussion] [Linux] Starting the move to MAC

[Carl Gehr]

Bob, 

Thanks for the comments!  Great intro to have on this subject.

My current leaning is toward Linux for the reasons you will see below. 
I can also use existing hardware and a free Linux to keep the
transition costs down.  [Ubuntu is what I've started playing with. At
this point, I don't even know enough to be dangerous, though.]

I do have a couple of specific questions, based on my own personal
usage, that you may or may not have had to deal with.  Because of my
business:

*  I need to be able to access an IBM Mainframe [a.k.a., 
   System z] via the TSO interface.  [If you are familiar
   with this environment, then you also understand the
   term/tool ISPF.]  I've been told that IBM's PCConnection
   [PCom] has a Linux version.  I don't think there is a
   MAC version.

*  I must be able to run a COBOL and a PL/I compiler that
   has compatibility with the IBM mainframe compilers.
   I know I can get a COBOL compiler that meets this
   requirement.  Worst case, I believe that I can install
   the IBM PL/I for Windoze using WINE on Linux, but I've
   not tried it yet.

*  I have a large number of REXX scripts that I use to build
   parts of our product.  I'm sure file references will all
   need to be modified, at least to some extent.  But, how
   compatible is the rest of the REXX language on Linux?
   Are there 'system functions' similar to what is available
   in OS/2 to manipulate directories and file structures?

*  We have four rather complex documents created and maintained
   using WordPerfect V7.  [That was the last Win 3.1 compatible
   level, so it works quite well under WinOS2.]  I know I can
   at least read them into Open Office, but the formatting is
   quite trashed.  I don't know what document processor(s) you
   have used, or if you have any idea how WP works.  [I consider
   WP to be the best and easiest to use word/document processor
   around.  But, I'm the first to admit my experience with other
   packages is limited. Giving up WP will be almost traumatic.]
   No specific question, I guess; just looking for comments.
   I've been told that WP will install under WINE reasonably
   well.  [WP 2002 appears to be an exception, but others are
   supposed to do OK.]

Sorry for the length of this.  But maybe it will get some discussion
going.  [I hope the POSSI list owner(s) don't mind that we've just
jumped into this.  If so, we can try to find an alternative host,
because I think there is an audience for the topic(s).

Carl