<p>This is a question to ask on the SIGCSE mailing list. A member there was primarily an educator and now works as a sort of liaison to the SIGCSE community. She will probably respond to such a question. </p>

<p>I suspect that they still have grants available that, with some work on your part, might solve your needs. You might need to write up a research proposal, of course. Easy? Maybe no. Possible? Maybe yes. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-03T23:08:08.983Z
If they count pedagogical research as research then it would be easy. Can you remember which SIGCSE member you're referring to? I'm not a SIGCSE member (I'm a PhD mathematician who teaches CS at my SLAC), so not sure if I can write to the mailing list, but I could write her directly. If you don't want to share in the comments here, you could always email me. My email address is in my profile. Thanks!
David White
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T00:08:55.977Z
If Prof Havill is still chair of your department, ask him. He is a member and subscribed to the list.
Buffy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T00:14:49.677Z
I'm trying to maintain my anonymity and also not give information without permission. A bit delicate. And I think pedagogical research would be a good possibility.
Buffy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T01:50:47.963Z
He's on sabbatical. I think Tom Bressoud is a SIGCSE member too.
David White
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T12:43:28.507Z
Actually, if you are teaching CS you should consider joining [SIGCSE](http://sigcse.org/sigcse/membership/join). It is very inexpensive and doesn't require also joining ACM, the parent organization.
Buffy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T15:18:26.437Z
Actually, I think my department got me an ACM membership. I didn't realize SIGCSE was part of ACM. Thanks!
David White
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T15:34:16.993Z
You do need to join SIGCSE separately, of course, But cheap.
Buffy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-03T21:18:28.990Z
2019-06-04T00:16:26.330Z
2019-06-04T00:16:26.330Z
Buffy
<p>I'm developing a big data algorithms course, and would love to teach students how to use <a href="https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/bd-streamsintro/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">IBM's InfoSphere streams platform</a>, which I once used years ago. Does anyone have experience reaching out to companies like IBM to request a version for academic purposes? First I'd need a version for me to play with and develop course materials, then maybe one for students (perhaps at a discounted price) to learn during the course. I've poked around IBM's website, but can't find any clear "contact us" email address. Hoping someone here can suggest a way forward. Thanks!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T22:22:01.277Z
So you are to teach you pupils to be customers. After Graduation, they won't be able to use the product that they learn, unless them become a customer (Same is true for Microsoft, Apple, Google, but you should consider it anyway).
ctrl-alt-delor
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-05T02:39:46.590Z
Well, I did ask months ago on this platform for a free alternative. But no one was able to come up with one.
David White
<resource-request>
Is it easy for professors to get academic versions of software from IBM?
# Is it easy for professors to get academic versions of software from IBM?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-06-03)

I'm developing a big data algorithms course, and would love to teach students how to use [IBM's InfoSphere streams platform](https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/bd-streamsintro/index.html), which I once used years ago. Does anyone have experience reaching out to companies like IBM to request a version for academic purposes? First I'd need a version for me to play with and develop course materials, then maybe one for students (perhaps at a discounted price) to learn during the course. I've poked around IBM's website, but can't find any clear "contact us" email address. Hoping someone here can suggest a way forward. Thanks!

**Tags:** resource-request

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: So you are to teach you pupils to be customers. After Graduation, they won't be able to use the product that they learn, unless them become a customer (Same is true for Microsoft, Apple, Google, but you should consider it anyway).  
> **username_0**: Well, I did ask months ago on this platform for a free alternative. But no one was able to come up with one.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-06-03. Score: 1

This is a question to ask on the SIGCSE mailing list. A member there was primarily an educator and now works as a sort of liaison to the SIGCSE community. She will probably respond to such a question.

I suspect that they still have grants available that, with some work on your part, might solve your needs. You might need to write up a research proposal, of course. Easy? Maybe no. Possible? Maybe yes.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: If they count pedagogical research as research then it would be easy. Can you remember which SIGCSE member you're referring to? I'm not a SIGCSE member (I'm a PhD mathematician who teaches CS at my SLAC), so not sure if I can write to the mailing list, but I could write her directly. If you don't want to share in the comments here, you could always email me. My email address is in my profile. Thanks!  
> **username_2**: If Prof Havill is still chair of your department, ask him. He is a member and subscribed to the list.  
> **username_2**: I'm trying to maintain my anonymity and also not give information without permission. A bit delicate. And I think pedagogical research would be a good possibility.  
> **username_0**: He's on sabbatical. I think Tom Bressoud is a SIGCSE member too.  
> **username_2**: Actually, if you are teaching CS you should consider joining [SIGCSE](http://sigcse.org/sigcse/membership/join). It is very inexpensive and doesn't require also joining ACM, the parent organization.  
> **username_0**: Actually, I think my department got me an ACM membership. I didn't realize SIGCSE was part of ACM. Thanks!  
> **username_2**: You do need to join SIGCSE separately, of course, But cheap.  

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