Travel is entirely back now. COVID is over. Well, it’s still there, but nobody cares anymore. So after the worldwide TechXChange in @#$%^&* Las Vegas ( See “I hate Las Vegas“), it was now the European version held in Barcelona.
I’ve been to Barcelona before (incidentally, that was where I got my own COVID infection…). I really like that city; it has beautiful architecture, a nice buzz, great food, and much, much more.

So I went to my second home (Schiphol Airport) by train, checked in, did the security check, and then went straight to the KLM Crown Lounge. I’m a luxury traveler; I have had a KLM Platinum badge for five years (and counting), which is so cool. It makes traveling (almost) bearable..

The flight was as it should be: quiet and fast. It takes only 2 hours from gate to gate. Love that. Then, the Uber to the hotel. We live in a beautiful time. The only thing I used was my phone. Everything I needed was there, and I did it on the phone. I booked the flight with the KLM App, Called Uber with the Uber App, and booked the hotel with the Hilton App. I checked the locations with maps; the IBM App had my entry ticket. The only thing you need is, of course, the phone and enough battery… And sometimes a connection. But that is only a problem in Germany; it all worked fine in Barcelona.

The venue was on a great location, near the sea, next to one of the recommended hotels. I wasn’t in that hotel, I booked too late. But I don’t mind a small ride in the morning/evening.

As in Vegas, there was also a sandbox where partners and IBM had booths and the Champions Lounge. Yes, I have been an IBM Champion for 4 years now! It’s like being KLM Platinum but even better!
Champions are treated as kings by IBM! Front-row seats and people who do nothing else than care for our wellbeing. Thanks Libby, Cathryn, Amy and all others!

Unfortunately there was not much ELM, most was, “the ol’ Hardware” I learned that Mainframes are not dead, on the contrary! One of the things I started with after I graduated was the IBM AS/400, now SystemZ. Still cool stuff. I also learned there are “open source” Mainframes.

Some small items were there on ELM, there was a small item about Rhapsody, the new version was coming. And loo and behold: on February 29, 2024 Rhapsody 10 was officially released!!!!

What is new: Actually all is new… The GUI is changed and therefor all under the hood needed a thorough make-over. And the IBM boys and girls did the magic, just like on the TV make-over programs for houses or people: the result is stunning.
Here is the official IBM “WhatIsNew“.
Soon I get back to you guys with more news about Rhapsody 10!

Also new is the HarmonyMBE profile. Yes that is our work, Andy made that and it’s part of Rhapsody! We have a BLOG about it, we will fill that with more information soon.

So. Have fun with Rhapsody (10, but also with the older versions)

Walter (wvdheiden@sodiuswillert.com)