At Wed, 24 Jul 1996 12:39:36 -0600, "F. Alfredo Rego" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote,
[snip...]
>HP has the wonderful opportunity to work hard on the HP3000, on MPE, on
>IMAGE and to make them the best possible solution for business-oriented
>customers who insist on reliability, performance, good value, and
>ease-of-use.  These customers (shall we call them "humans"?) are not as
>numerous as the thrill-seeking, MTV-weaned, short-attention-span masses
>(call them what you will!).  This is, precisely, the whole point of this
>note.  But, for this pre-selected elite group of computer customers, the
>combined power of the HP3000, MPE, and IMAGE has it NOW (as human customers
>always want it -- they always want it now) and can have it even better
>tomorrow, if only HP would work on it.
 
Good on yer, Alfredo!  The time is fast approaching (if not already past :(
) when HP must actively demonstrate its commitment to the HP3000 before it
is written off by the market as a whole.  There are far too many things that
the 3000 does well, if not better than anyone else, to simply consign it to
the that 'HP Basic' pile.  This latter place, beyond Silicon Valley, beyond
Bangalore, beyond even us here in Oz, this place is a Dante's playground
existing only so long as support revenue continues but is bereft of
initiative or any effort for ongoing development.  If MPE should land here,
then dig out the shrouds and rosemary for surely it will be time to hold a
wake!
 
Perhaps on a lighter note, we could make a game of the situation which might
lend more positive light to any lurking journalists and competitors.  Do you
remember HP's  "Imagine if..." campaign of some 10 or 12 years ago?  Well
how about this one:
 
   "Imagine if...HP marketed the HP3000/MPE/Image the way Microsoft markets
    Windows!"
 
How would things be different if the bean counters and nay-sayers didn't run
the show?
 
Here's some starters...
 
Imagine if HP marketed the HP3000/MPE/Image the way Microsoft markets Windows!
 
1)  HP would include the 'C' compiler with all systems so that anyone even
    considering developing would have the minimum tools necessary to talk
    with the rest of the world.  Adding TCP/IP was a good start but they
    stopped too short.  Make the 3000 popular for the same reason Unix boxes
    were - a wealth of free & low-cost software through the collaborative
    efforts of an all too willing user-base.
 
2)  Providing a RPC run-time license would not only be free, but highly
    promoted for intersystems compatibility.
 
3)  Ship millions of CDs to anyone that wants to signup for a relatively
    low-cost developer program.  Include on these CDs all general manuals,
    system guides, internal training, AIF specs and internal manuals for
    everything from Debug Macro languages through Patch process languages.
    Include some products like AIF libraries, RPC developer, etc.
    They might also record major conference papers, presentations and even
    screen simulators.
 
4)  Forget about support! Well almost...if there is a large enough user base
    out there who have all the necessary support material, then there's a
    good chance they will be able to solve a number of the problem before
    some of the HP technots.  I'm constantly amazed at the knowledge out there
    already, even with the current very limited access.  If this collective
    knowledge can be channelled (eg Developer programs), then as demonstrated
    already with this list, the results can be amazing.
 
5)  Don't penalize people for wanting to learn more about the HP3000 by making
    advanced training classes excessively dear.  Sure, make some money on the
    rudimentary ones, but provide others the chance to do the same. Make
    advanced technical advice through the wide media.
 
Okay, I'm biased -- most of these dreams are from a developer's viewpoint.
But as the old parable goes, I don't want HP to do my fishing for me, but if
they want to sell more fish, it would help to lend me a rod, line and hook
or two.
 
Field of Dreams?  I don't think so.
 
Cheers.
----
Jim "seMPEr" Wowchuk
Vanguard Computer Services     Internet:    [log in to unmask]
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