What are the arguments in the mainframe environment vs. the client/server model debate?
In my opinion, whether the mainframe or client/server model is better depends on how a business uses computers. For example, a mainframe environment is optimal for a hospital running numerous transactions on one database. In this case, the systems administrator develops applications that take full advantage of the mainframe’s power, and most input devices are terminals. Mainframe users’ business is completely automated and they have no need for Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word. Yearly support of a mainframe environment is minimal. When you add PCs to this environment without mandatory control (e.g., mandatory profiles), my mainframe friends tell me that you need to add one support person for every 35 to 50 PCs that you add. The mainframe folks also argue that the constant need to upgrade offsets the low cost of PCs: DOS to Windows NT 3.1, NT 3.1 to NT 3.5, NT 3.5 to NT 3.51, NT 3.51 to NT 4.0, and NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 (Win2K). The argument for the client/server model is that po
