I cut my teeth on the HP2000 and then the HP3000 in the late 70s.  I
programmed SPL, FORTRAN and COBOL for 20 years.  In the latter time period,
I began to create .NET systems that used the HP3000 as a data server.  This
has given me a niche audience for those companies who use an HP3000 and like
their processes but want to move from the platform.

I migrate their processes to .NET C# or VB while using the HP3000 as data
server.  This allows a slow controlled migration.  I use data connector
classes to access the HP3000 database.  These classes will also connect to a
SQL database.  As the time progresses, the HP3000 IMAGE data is mirror onto
the SQL database.  Now using Crystal or some other report tool, you can
migrate your FORTRAN and COBOL reports.  This method allows you a true
controlled parallel implementation.

The time period is longer than just 'slapping' in a new system, but it is
far less painful.  Each screen or function can be unit tested since the
original HP programs are still functional while the new .NET version is
gaining acceptance.

Feel free to contact me if you wish to have further discussion on this
method of migration.

Charles C Cookston
Web Navigation LLC
[log in to unmask]
(317) 259-1426


-----Original Message-----
From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Michael
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 3:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HP3000-L] Life after the HP3000 (Career Guidance Requested)

I always thought I would outlive the HP3000, but funny thing happened -
after 
18 years of working for the same company who used HP3000s -- the HP3000s 
are still there and I am not. Now I'm living unemployed in a non-mainframe 
world as a 45-year old with only mainframe skills. I'd love to hear other 
people's stories of how they made that adjustment -- in terms of what sort
of 
retraining was done, other alternative paths taken, etc. I'm especially 
interested in what my next steps should be to retool for the .NET
environment 
as that seems to be predominent in my region of the country. Thanks!

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