I took two weeks off from work at the end of the year as I had hardly taken any leave all year, and one idle morning with an over-sized mug of coffee I was searching for information about System z. I was still tossing around the idea about trying to learn about IBM enterprise systems. I had created an account over at RZKH for access to an IBM i (well, an AS/400 V5R3), and was hoping I might find something similar for System z. Through the Millennial Mainframer blog I learned of the IBM Master the Mainframe (MTM) contest. I was curious about System z, so I went ahead and registered for the contest. I read all about the contest and decided to give it a try–it sounded interesting enough. It was December 20th though and the contest had started on October 1st, so I knew that I would not be able to work on Part 3, probably the most interesting part of the competition. However, in the next seven days I worked through and completed Part 2. I had a blast the whole time!
Part 1 and Part 2 introduced me to three different mainframe operating systems: z/OS, z/VM, and Linux on z. I was able to access a live System z via a 3270 terminal and utilize tools like ISPF and SDSF, as well as work with JCL, REXX, RACF, and so much more. I was hooked from the moment I started! I highly recommend this competition for students who are curious about IBM enterprise computing. My understanding is that IBM uses the competition as a way to introduce students to System z where they might not have a chance otherwise, and I must say IBM did a great job developing this program. I am definitely interested in a career in IBM enterprise computing.
For completing Part 2, IBM sent me an MTM t-shirt and a certificate of completion, which just arrived in the mail yesterday. The shirt is a shade of federal blue and nicely done, not too overtly IBM “propaganda”. Great design, zSkills team! The front and back of the shirt are shown below.
The back of the shirt has a list of cities–I assume these are probably where many of the System z Academic Initiative schools are based out of. On the left sleeve there is a small IBM logo (as shown above) which I do like. Thanks for the shirt IBM, and kudos to the zSkills team at IBM for setting up this contest. What a great way for students to gain some basic familiarity and knowledge of IBM System z!
I am looking forward to the MTM 2015 contest in autumn, and fully intend to try to complete all three parts regardless of my work and school schedules. In the mean time though, I need to find access to a z/OS system to continue my learning…more on that next. Regardless though, I will be wearing this t-shirt proudly on Friday! Thanks IBM.
IBM Systems for the UNIX Enthusiast 