Wow! I don't want to overstate my enthusiasm for this response, but it's going to be hard not to. This decision is my business and it is my decision and it is what I want to do. That is why I sought assistance not resistance. Thank you.
You have restored my faith in this resource, not that anyone really cares about my faith except me. I frankly was astonished at the contentiousness.
I really appreciate the technical advice here. I agree that this quest will be, or is, quite daunting. I was unaware of the Oracle/Apple issue and that could be an enormous, maybe impossible obstacle. In fact, from your description, it appears that IBM has been careless, and maybe uncaring, in ignoring the issue. That would not surprise me at all as I am an ex-IBMer and am deeply aware of the little games they play. I am also an ex-Apple developer and aware of the same kind of corporate foolishness that they indulge in. On the other hand, sometimes that spells opportunity.
So, deep gratitude for your mature, helpful response. If I am biting off more than I can chew, I may just choke on it. But, there you go.
Thank you.