z/OS 1.12 delivery on tape

You know there was a Statement of Direction from IBM that z/OS would no longer be delivered on 3480 and 3490 tape cartridges. By the way, that is already the case for z/VM. Well, for any one who verified the z/OS 1.12 preview announcement to see whether 3480 and 3490 tape media would still be available : check again. The announcement has been modified in that section. It first mentioned :

Currently offered media types are:
• CBPDOs - 3480, 3480 Compressed, 3490E, 3590, 3592
• ServerPacs - 3480, 3480 Compressed, 3490E, 3590, 3592
• SystemPacs - 3480, 3480 Compressed, 3490E, 3590, 3592

But, it now mentions

You choose the delivery method when you order the software. IBM recommends Internet delivery. In addition to Internet and DVD, the supported tape delivery options for CBPDO, ServerPac, and SystemPac include:

- 3590
- 3592

Note: Product delivery on all 3480 and 3490 tape media is planned to be discontinued October 26, 2010.

So, if you have no choice but ordering on 3480 or 3490 tape media, be sure to order z/OS 1.12 before October 26, 2010.

I missed this one, but thanks to Isabelle Silvain (IBM France) for mentioning this.