As a heads-up for what they will be talking about at Common and DVCUG
meetings, here are some links to keep handy:

When do the current releases of OS/400 expire? The IBM web page with that
info is:

http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/iseries/planning/upgrade/suptsched\
ule.html

Here is the announcement presentation (a 3 meg download):
http://wash-midrange.org/ibm_i5os_v5r4_system_i5_user_session.pdf

Included in the new announcement are items like:

- i5 Models: 520, 550, 570 and 595 and the new features.
- Power 5+ technology in the i5 family of systems
- New 32bit Java Virtual Machine
- New features in the WebFacing Deployment Tool
- Changes in the WebSphere Development Studio including free-format SQL
in RPG applications!
- Integrating SOA Web Services with RPG
- Changes in iSeries Access for the Web
- CL Language enhancements
- RPG Language enhancements
- New Blade server functionality
- New DBA Tools to help with database management
- i5/OS Security updates
- New features in backup/recovery INCLUDING SPOOL FILES!
- And LOTS LOTS MORE!

But you will want to attend DVCUG sessions to get it straight from the
horse's mouth, and to query your friends to see how fast they will be
moving onto it. (My guess - by August or September, it will fit into
many people's plans).

So go to http://www.dvcug.org to register for this month's meeting on
Wednesday, March 22nd at the Airport Embassy Suites

Topic: Meet the New System i5 and release V5R4

Speaker: Darryl Johns & Mark Borash