Duane writes:

> IMHO, what you are seeing is a bunch of whining by people who
>  haven't gotten over the fact that the HPe3000 isn't at the
>  complete center of HP's computing universe.
>
>  What I want to say to everyone is "get over it" and spend the
>  time being productive in either offering HP some constructive
>  feedback or developing best in class applications that can
>  leverate more HPe3000 sales. Or maybe take a class in new/emerging
>  technology and apply it to the HPe3000.
>
>  All this nitpicking and whining is getting old...

Actually, you're completely missing Stan's and my point I believe, Duane. The
comments that have been made have been wholly on the subject of the text
contained in this one flyer. That text is neither the enthusiastic ad copy
you would expect from a proud, committed vendor nor reassuring in its tone.

Suppose for a moment, you were a wary first-time buyer of a new-to-you brand
of General Motors car, and a similar flyer quoted the GM exec's as saying:
"We'll continue to build Monteros for as long as you want to buy them. While
many of the present Montero customers have questioned our committment to the
line, you can rest assured that we feel that this automobile is amazing -- if
for no other reason than its longevity!"

That's not the kind of copy that would instill any confidence at all in your
purchasing decision, especially given that you have never heard of a Montero
before. From that reading, you wouldn't even be sure than GM is even going to
continue building and servicing the cars -- yet that text is lifted almost
verbatim from the HP flyer.

The people we deal with are the smaller HP3000 customers, but they are also
the customers where the company president, CEO or owner is intimately
involved in the purchasing decision -- and these people tend to be very
bright, very wary people. I can tell you from 20 years of experience now that
sort of text isn't going to impress any of them, no more than that GM ad copy
above impressed you. If they're going to spend a fair amount of money, they
want an absolute committment from every vendor, and most especially HP, that
everyone involved will do everything they can to assure their success.

As to the GM ad copy above, it wouldn't matter to the prospective buyer if
the Montero was the only car model that GM built -- or just one of a hundred
-- a wary buyer wouldn't likely give the car any serious consideration. In
fact, he probably run from it as fast as he could.

Duane's characterization of the complaint completely misrepresents my
concerns, and I believe Stan's as well. This is the actual complaint.

Wirt Atmar