As summer 2024 heated up, so did the conversations on Planet Mainframe. The most-read blog articles of the season weren’t puff pieces—they resonated deeply with the community. So, what made these pieces stand out? Let’s explore the common themes and why they captured the attention of so many readers.
1. Celebrating People and Legacy
One key theme that ran through several articles was celebrating people behind the mainframes, alongside the rich legacy of the technology. The 60th anniversary of the mainframe provided an opportunity to spotlight influential mainframers. These articles struck a chord by featuring the human element in technology from the lens of those who have shaped and continue to shape the industry. Recognizing these unsung heroes honored their contributions and (hopefully!) inspired a new generation.
- Planet Mainframe Acquires Cheryl Watson’s Tuning Letter: Uniting the Premier Sources of Mainframe Knowledge and Education
- Celebrating your 2024 Influential Mainframers
2. The Imperative of Modernization
Yes, ‘modernization’ is a buzzword, but it isn’t JUST a buzzword; it’s a reality for many global businesses today. Our recently published mainframe modernization pieces emphasized the urgent need for organizations to evolve in response to rising infrastructure costs, the explosive growth of AI, and shifting economic landscapes.
By focusing on practical strategies and success stories, these pieces provided tangible insights into how companies can stay competitive. Readers were drawn to this topic because it directly impacts their ability to future-proof operations and maintain a competitive edge.
3. Career Resiliency in a Changing World
Always thinking ahead, career resiliency re-emerged as another hot topic, particularly in discussions about staying relevant individually and lean organizationally. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, the half-life of IT skills is shortening, making continuous learning and adaptability more important than ever.
Articles and podcasts exploring how professionals can build and maintain their skills through lifelong learning, networking, and mentorship resonated strongly with readers navigating their career paths. These insights provided perspective and practical opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Career Resiliency
Top 5 Reasons Mainframers Have a Promising Future
4. The Integration of AI and Mainframes
Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) integration with mainframes was a sizzling summer topic, reflecting the industry’s cautious optimism about this powerful combination. AI’s allure lies in its potential to unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation.
Readers leaned into discussions about AI as a transformative force that can supercharge mainframe capabilities. Seeing the practical applications of AI in fraud detection and code translation excited many. The articles that delved into this topic fed the curiosity of readers eager to explore the future of technology.
- A Tale of Two Systems: AI and Mainframe Computing
- Db2 Tales and Tips from the 2024 IDUG North America Conference
5. The Importance of Education and Mentorship
Education and mentorship emerged as recurring themes, particularly in articles discussing the mainframe talent landscape. As the industry faces a generational shift, nurturing and training the next wave of mainframers is more urgent than ever.
Readers were drawn to insights about how organizations tackle this challenge through formal education, certifications, recruitment, and hands-on mentorship programs. The emphasis on building a robust talent pipeline reminded the industry about the work being done and the work remaining to develop a well-prepared and adaptable workforce.
Why These Articles
Summer is barely a blip in time, but the themes of resilience, modernization, and education remain at the forefront of conversations. Reflecting on why these articles resonated the most, we see that it wasn’t because of controversial content or negative click-bait news.
Instead, the top articles offered a blend of reflection, inspiration, and practical advice. The thoughts ’on paper’ provided a sense of continuity by honoring the past and charting a course for the future. They celebrated the people behind the technology and connected with readers on both an intellectual and emotional level.
This is precisely the goal of Planet Mainframe as a community hub for mainframers.
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you back here NEXT WEEK as we kick off our month-long tribute to COBOL.
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Penney Berryman, MPH (she/her), is the Content Editor for Planet Mainframe. She also writes health technology and online education marketing materials. Penney is based in Austin, Texas.
Connect with her on LinkedIn.