Hi Joel

Just a quick clarification – IBM Z XPlore is not a "free public server" – it is a no charge membership-based service provided by IBM, for specific purposes related to IBM Z skills development.

The IBM Z XPlore environment was created to help new and experienced mainframe users (developers, administrators, operators) gain or update skills with zOS and other IBM Z operating systems.

The primary interface uses VSCode, to show that zOS is a server environment  where many common functions – searching for datasets/files, editing, compiling, executing programs, submitting and monitoring jobs – can be achieved *without* the need for a tn3270 emulator.

VSCode provides a very consistent environment across Windows, MacOS, and a wide variety of linux – there is much less consistency with tn3270 emulators.

After introducing the mainframe through VSCode, users who achieve the Advanced badge are offered TSO access, with instructions on how to install and setup an emulator.

Users such as yourself, with little or no zOS experience, can learn about the mainframe by working through the Concepts and Advanced challenges and earning the Credly badges.

There are options for accessing TSO sooner -

Hi Joel

Just a quick clarification – IBM Z XPlore is not a "free public server" – it is a no charge membership-based service provided by IBM, for specific purposes related to IBM Z skills development.

The IBM Z XPlore environment was created to help new and experienced mainframe users (developers, administrators, operators) gain or update skills with zOS and other IBM Z operating systems.

The primary interface uses VSCode, to show that zOS is a server environment  where many common functions – searching for datasets/files, editing, compiling, executing programs, submitting and monitoring jobs – can be achieved *without* the need for a tn3270 emulator.

VSCode provides a very consistent environment across Windows, MacOS, and a wide variety of linux – there is much less consistency with tn3270 emulators.

After introducing the mainframe through VSCode, users who achieve the Advanced badge are offered TSO access, with instructions on how to install and setup an emulator.

Users such as yourself, with little or no zOS experience, can learn about the mainframe by working through the Concepts and Advanced challenges and earning the Credly badges.

There are options for accessing TSO sooner -