Mainframe Skills Shortage!
Since starting work I have been presenting with having to learn an entirely new environment, something that up until the beginning of the year didn’t really know were still in use, let alone fairly widely used, considering the idea of the mainframe has been around for many many years.
ABC News Story: Skill Shortage in Mainframes
After watching the youtube video above I started to think, it gave me a new perspective that I had not considered for the Mainframe, cloud computing. Suddenly, I found myself thinking, there may be more opportunities out there than I initially thought, especially since it is such a specialized area, I may be able to move places in my career easier than I first thought. Not that I am anticipating hanging around Mainframes for my entire career, I would love to move around a little into different types of work maybe some BA or programming or maybe some project management.
I have to admit, I didn’t think they would be using the Mainframe for cloud computing. I assumed it would be some flavor of Linux running the worlds clouds, but then again, I don’t know if a standard mid-range architecture (Linux/Solaris/Windows) have the grunt required to run a cloud. For the bigger clouds, the number of transactions required would naturally lead to a mainframe set up, since it has been running organisations like banks and airlines for years that handle a lot of different transactions, the sheer amount of IO that would be required to handle a cloud as well, its a little crazy. But when it comes to the mainframe (from the outside atleast) it is a little crazy, because organisations that use Mainframes are usually HUGE, the sheer amount of disk space and capabilities that the boxes have can boarder on the absurd.
One thing I wouldn’t like when it comes to those Clouds, the SLA conditions would suck……
Working with Mainframes… and other Mainframe related technologies….
Well, working for 8 or so months now and I would of never thought it, I am working on IBM Mainframe’s and I am actually enjoying it. Sure its one of the more complicated areas I have worked in, where it seems even the most simple concepts and fucked around with some random complication. There is something about the mainframe that just spews complication for some reason, I think that could be the main reason behind people not really wanting to enter the area, well people actually knowing that the Mainframe is still alive and kicking. It must be something related to the fact that when Mainframes were considered (by the general public) as the latest and greatest technology they were the size of buildings or entire rooms, and had the computing power of a modern day calculator or slightly better. However these days, the technology is much better, it puts almost every system to shame in shear specs alone, though a mainframe is designed different to your home PC, mainly in the way it processes information, the OS (z/OS) and the architecture has been designed to get the maximum transactions per second.
So for anyone who is sitting there scratching their heads, or people still reading this and didnt see the title and run for the nearest youtube clip, a mainframe these days is basically a box with a lot of power, with around 96 CPUs (all QUAD core or better) and give or take 500GB of ram. Now what you might be thinking, wow that’s a lot of over kill for just one mainframe, well the thing is, it is not used for just 1 mainframe system, it can be sliced up into many parts so that multiple mainframe systems can run on a single mainframe box, these logical partitions (LPARs) act a lot of VMs on base hardware, each LPAR has a set of resources assigned to it (CPUs and RAM) it can use to get the job done. So based on what you want to run on that LPAR is to how much power you want to give it. Then on top of that you have z/OS the mainframe operating system, then DASD (hard drives), OSAs (Network cards) and software. The basically of almost any computer systems, disks to save your stuff on, network cards so you can access a network/internet and software to use the hardware you have given it.
Since starting my new job, I have worked on some of the most advanced systems in Australia, worked with some very smart people who will know more about this stuff than I will ever know, work with engineers and programmers from vendors and had input on software. Sometimes you just have to think, 8 months ago when I started I never dreamed, I would be learning about the Mainframe, working with vendors and even having input on new software being developed by a vendor. Sometimes I forget I am only a graduate, because it seems that sometimes I am the most knowledgeable person on a subject people who have been working in the area for years will come to me for advice and ask questions, its as little crazy 
. But…. as much as people want to keep moving to midrange (Linux/AIX/Windows Server/Solaris) the mainframe seems to be the root of most modern day systems like Banks, airlines and yes governments where these systems are so entrenched they may never get off them, which is good news for IBM, they will be making huge profits for the foreseeable future, but looking at the area, especially where I work, that this is an aging area, with younger people not coming into this area a skills shortage is a very real possibility. Which, from my point of view, is a good thing (and bad), the skills I am learning now will be a high demand in the future allowing me to, among other things name my salary and conditions.
But at the current moment in time, I don’t see myself doing anything else
JDownloader: The Ubuntu Server Version
Well as some people might know JDownloader is a program that has been created to be used with all those online file websites that implement timers and captures for free use. Its really useful if you dont have premium accounts for the HUGE number of online file sites.
The basics to get this to work, installation of JAVA, VNC server (or what ever flavour you want), a copy of JDownloader from the website and some decent knowledge of Ubuntu Server.
Now I have to admit, there are a few bugs to work out when doing this, such as the captcha but to download it should be good.
The basic steps are to install java, using apt-get or the rpm from the java website. Install VNC Server, within VNC server this is an X server, so even if your ubuntu server doesnt have a desktop, you will be able to connect to it using the built in X server to you can configure JDownloader to enable the web interface.
Once you have installed VNC, connect to the server, run JDownloader, usually through java -jar JDownloader.jar adapt the settings to your system, enable the web interface and make sure you note the username, password and port number so you can connect to it later. Once you have made all the of adjustments, its also a good idea to go into the host section of the downloads and click the accept for all the TOS, if you dont you wont be able to download using the web interface until you accept it. Before closing the VNC session make sure you attempt to connect to the web interface to make sure its working. Once you see its all working, close the VNC session.
From now on, when you want to start JDownloader run java -jar JDownloader.jar and then you can access it through the servers IP address and the port.
Fairly simple eh? Each installation is different, I had a problem where I needed to create an Xresource file in my home directory, basically just google it and pull a default one will work as it did for me. I must admit I only did this yesterday so there are bound to be some bugs with it. I got this idea from a guy who did it before me who posted on the JDownloader forums.
Reflections
I have been down in Queanbeyan/Canberra for around a month now and its been interesting to say the least. Moving out of home is an experience to say the least, you need to cook, clean, wash and look after yourself. Its not hard, but it takes time, like after work you may not want to bother cooking dinner, but you have too. The sad side of it is, I expected my personal life to change with my professional life. Which it didnt, i still rather spend a saturday night drinking beer and watching TV than go out and drink. Its not that I dont enjoy it, its more the fact that i need to drink a decent amount of alcohol to free feel in those situations. I dont like the person I turn into, since it really is not me, the real me rather sit at home watch a move or some TV and drink some beer. There are side effects of those decisions, mostly related to the fact that it is rather lonely. If you think of dominos, but in the opposite where if you don’t do something, it will not leader to anything. For example, if I dont go out, I dont meet people and then I dont have a chance of making new friends. Its funny, when I moved I thought that I might change, become a different person be able to enjoy the “fun” side (as some people think it) more. But infact I havent change a bit but as much as I may want to change, I find myself still head back in the same ways I have been in the past. Its a little funny, the fact that lately there has been a lot of talk about bullying in the media, with that kid finally standing up for himself. No one ever thinks of the outcome later in life. Sometimes i regret not becoming a better man, better able to deal with me, better able to hand different situations and be more outgoing. But the fact still stands, the fact I was picked on and have never been able to become the person I was probably meant to be. Sometimes I wonder what would of happened if I had become that person when I made it to university. I may be able to put myself out more with the chance of making friends in new places, instead of being afraid of the situations, what might happen, how I might react and how the other people may react. It can be considered a disability, I know most people would be thinking, yeah right your full of shit. But just thinking, have you ever been in the situation where you have been picked on so much you’d rather hide yourself away than possibility of facing ridicule or being picked on. At the time you never considered the possible ramifications and how it may effect you in the future. All I can think is, what would of happened if I had been in the “cool” people group. One thing you notice that, High School has a greater effect on you than you would think. Looking back on my high school years, makes me wish I was one of the cooler kids, since they always seemed to have it easy, no worries, always had friends, always had fun and had high self esteem, normally from picking on people like myself. Though, I may be in a better position at the moment, in some cases, but I have to think that I may of lost something far more important.
There are things I feel that I don’t tell anyone, even my closest friend, for fear of being ridiculed or just sounding pathetic or just because admitting somethings make me feel worse.
The first day moved out
Well it finally happened I moved to Canberra well queanbeyan. I suppose I put it out of my mind since I was worried that it would be too hard for me to change. This is the most significant change in my personal life ever, I know I have to so it, but I feel so alone all of a sudden and it’s very weird and has me worried about how I will cope over the next week. Most people who know me know that change is not something I normally embrace but this time I don’t have a choice in the matter. I think that is the worse part I didn’t make this choice, it was made for me.
There is no doubt that moving out is hard bit moving out for the first time, I am a little worried that I will not be able to cope. This is the kind of worry I haven’t felt in a long time and that on its self is worrying.
For the moment I am taking it day by day and see what happens
The struggle to get a place…
Now, I know its going to be hard to find a place… and I know that the chances of getting our first choices were remote, but there is still depressing when you find out that 4 places you applied for you get knocked back. Even with 3 months rent in advance up for grabs. If I was looking at it, with a 6 month lease you get half the money up front. I suppose this is why I never wanted to become a real estate agent, don’t think I could take it. Though we still have around 8 weeks to find a place before Plan B runs out, it is still depressing to find out that all the places we applied for we got knocked back. I suppose its even worse since I really liked a few of those places and it would of been good to get them.
The day is fast approaching…
I suppose it has taken this long to become… real. Sure 6 months ago moving out of home for the first time and starting a new job seemed far away, I had bigger things to deal with like finishing University, but now that it is weeks away, I can’t help but dwell on it. This was bound to happen I suppose, begin to get nervous and wonder what the hell I am going to be doing for the next few years of my life.
Though this is my future, I can’t help but look back into the past. Its kind of hard to forget about things (Especially when the media centre computer shows a slide show of all the pics on the comp every time it goes to screen saver) the good and the bad. These things have made me the person I am today, and do explain a lot, but its better off we don’t go into that. I dont think it really hit me until we handed in those applications for rental places the other day. Up until then I was still in the stage where it had not hit me yet, and now that its less than 4 weeks away. I can’t help but begin to worry about everything, its a big deal moving, especially when its too a new city to take a job in another state/territory its a rather big step. Back when I started university, I would never of considered moving all the way to Canberra to work. In the beginning when applying for graduate positions, I purposely did not apply for ones in Canberra, but after speaking with Dad I decided to take a shot and see what happens. Who would of thought that I would be moving along this quickly. I didn’t plan on moving out for atleast another year, and now I am moving out and going to be on my own. I am not normally the one to get all emotional but i am a little worried about moving away from everyone. Though it may seem that I am a loner and dont really need anyone, I am going to miss having dinners with friends, watching top gear at Dan’s and the random trips to micks place. I have always enjoyed being wanted, as I have always felt like an outsider, which doesn’t come as a surprise to most people who know me. I am not the most outgoing kind of person and when I move away, I am worried i am going to have a hard time meeting and interacting with people.
The end of a year!
Well as we approach the end of 2010, I cant help but think of the future. Especially since I think this upcoming year could be one of the most important in my life. The beginning on my career and life outside home, which for me is a big deal. The first time leaving home gives me a lot to think about. Including actually finding a place to live once I leave, I keep getting asked what I need to move out, and I keep thinking, I have no fucking idea. I have never moved out before, I don’t think I will know exactly what I will need until I need it. But i must admit, it is good that so many people care about me and want to help me move to the next major stage in my life. I keep thinking how un-prepared I am for this step. I have never been good doing everything on my own, like think about it. Sure I can clean, wash and cook (very little…..) but I very rarely do them all at the same time, or within the same day, week, month… well you get the picture. You do not really think of the limitations of moving out until it gets closer to you moving. Though we are still looking for a place, I cant help but think in less than 4 weeks I will be living on my own. Some people may think it is paradise, but I keep thinking how hard it will be to adjust to living on my own and adjusting to life without parents to cook and wash. But just like going from Preschool, to School, to High School, to University, it is just another stage of life that I need to move forward with adjust as I have in the past. As the Borg would say… I must adapt to my new surroundings… which I am sure I will though I have a feeling it is going to be a lot harder than anyone is letting on. The only real way comparison I have is my sister, who only really moved down the road, so its kind of a bad example. The furthest she moved way 20 mins away, I am moving 2.5 hrs away, which means I cant just come home when I feel like it.
I am sure I will grow to the challenge of moving out, but as per usual I am thinking of the requirements and consequences of moving out that are putting me on edge and making me worry about it.
The end is VERY near…
Posted by wrighty in Personal, University on December 16, 2010
Well, its been 4 very long years, and at points I didnt think the day would come where I would finally graduate from university. Let alone have a job lined up and my life finally moving forward. Though I wish my life was less stressful, but lets face it I stress about absolutely everything, I envy the people who hardly stress and just live with the philosophy that they will just take life as it comes and deal with it then. I can’t do it, I have never been able to not worry about things. I am what you would call a chronic worrier. For example, I am worried about the graduation ceremony on Friday, what exactly is required from me and when. Stupid I know, but I have always been this way, going back as long as I can remember. I cannot remember a time when I was care free, maybe when I was really young, but I don’t remember. A lot of people say I stress about nothing, which is certainly true, I stress about things normal people wouldnt even care about or even bother stressing about. I wish I could just flip a switch and turn off stress and worrying, but I can’t.
But I digress, with one chapter in my life closing, and another one opening I have to look to the future and what will be in store for me there. Moving to another City, starting a job, there is also finding a place to live before all of that. It could be one of the most stressful times in my life, and I will be alone through it. Not completely, but the support that I would gain from just being around my family will be lost, im not sure how I will cope, I am hoping that like so many times in the past I am just stressing over nothing and I will survive. As I have more than likely mentioned in past blogs, this will be the first time me moving away from home, and though I know that I am only about 2hrs from home, it is still a fair distance especially when you will not have reliable transport between home and Canberra, I have a feeling it will feel like being stranded away from home with no way of getting back. I know that after a few months, I will adapt and learn to Hopefully like my new surroundings but only the future will tell I suppose.
But, not to fear, I am currently planning on posting updates here and on facebook to outline how things are going and such. I sure I may end up posting a side of myself no one really sees. For some reason I have found this therapeutic to type entries into this blog, I know it is public but I know the only real traffic this site will get is from bots trying to break in and comment spam on the posts. But if people do read it, they may gain a better understanding of me, no matter how scary it may be.
The end of Uni pt1
Posted by wrighty in University on October 30, 2010
Well as you can guess from the title, it is the end of uni. Well in fact its the end of lectures and tutorial, I still have 4 exams to complete that will no doubt cause me pain and suffering as they all do, because I have lacked attention for the last say… 13 weeks and never really bothered to pay too much attention. I like many informatics students learn 13 weeks worth of material during the week before the exam. Im sure there are plenty of people doing the old, cram the week before its due thing.
If you cant tell, I have been drinking, just had like you know 6 or 7 beers, nothing too extreme. Since I am coming to the end of the education, I thought it would be good to say something. This is a major step in my life, it is the point that I move on from the education portion of my life to the working part of my life. To tell the truth I have never really done anything worth wild with my life over the years. If you look at my life, the most interesting thing I have done in 10 years is go to uni. Which i hate to admit have been rather pathetic. But what can I say im a rather boring person. Just ask any of my friends im sure that would agree in one form or another.