“A new program from IBM will provide thousands of
independent software developers with free access to the ultimate
tool for writing Linux software applications — the IBM eServer
zSeries mainframe.The program, the Linux Community Development System, provides
developers with access to their own virtual mainframe running Linux
and a Shark storage subsystem. IBM customers, business partners,
independent software vendors, consultants, academics and even IBM
competitors are invited to register for their free server. The
program is aimed at helping Linux developers build new enterprise
applications that enable customers to consolidate their distributed
servers on a single IBM zSeries mainframe.The testing stage of the program has already drawn an expanding
community of programmers and Linux enthusiasts from around the
world. Developers from Korea, Scotland, India, New Zealand, and
even a high school student from Brooklyn, are up and running on the
mainframe, porting their Linux applications to “Big Iron” via the
Internet.”