Ted Ashton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I'm just wondering why all the focus on Carly and Ann.  After all, if Winston
>does not feel a need to aim at "name recognition" for the 3000, why
>should they
>mention it?   Is he not aware that the "narrow marketing" choice is damaging
>the 3000 even in those markets on which they have focused?  Ought we
>not rather
>write our corporate message to him, as he is new to the position?
>
>I agree with Gavin's analysis of how to get HP to notice us, but I want to
>avoid making enemies if there is any other option (there may not be, I don't
>know).  It seems to me that if the head of CSY has a vision for the 3000 which
>consists of a very narrow niche, then attacking HP corporate is not likely to
>have any lasting effect.  If, on the other hand, CSY is actually straining
>against the bounds, then pushing HP to let the owl fly would have the desired
>results.

Yesterday, I posed 5 questions whose answers interest me.  I mentioned
"HP's Corporate Managers" but, in light of Ted's observations, Winston
(as head of CSY) should definitely have the opportunity to participate.
Nick Earle, whose lively presentations have charmed us on several
continents, is also highly qualified for giving straight answers.  So,
here I pose my questions again, with copies to this distinguished panel
of HP Executives.

Please note that I am NOT referring to "paid advertisements" at all. I am
just interested in words such as "MPE" and/or "MPE/iX" and/or "HP e3000"
being included (even as whispers or in small print) every-now-and-then when
words such as "Unix", "Windows (of any flavor)" and "Linux" are mentioned
by HP's top executives.  Not "always", mind you.  Just every now and then.
And not within the HP World "choir", naturally, but in the brave new world
"out there".

After all, MPE is the ONLY operating system that was invented at HP.  With
all the wonderful emphasis on "Invent" that we have enjoyed since Carly's
arrival at HP, it is sad to see MPE so conspicuously absent from her lips
and from her pen.  How can we address a prospective HP e3000 customer with
a straight and proud face when such a prospective customer tells us, in
no uncertain terms, that we are fools because HP's top executives obviously
do NOT care for MPE?

Please note, also, that I fully understand that MPE is just a very small
part of HP's computer business and I would never dream of asking for
"equal time".  Just a simple MENTION (outside of the installed base) would
do wonders.



These are my simple questions:

1) What are the disadvantages for HP caused by HP's Corporate Managers
    *mentioning* MPE outside of the installed base?

2) What are the disadvantages for HP's shareholders caused by
    HP's Corporate Managers *mentioning* MPE outside of the installed base?

3) What are the disadvantages for MPE users (old and new) caused by
    HP's Corporate Managers *mentioning* MPE outside of the installed base?

4) What are the disadvantages for the future of computing in general
    caused by HP's Corporate Managers *mentioning* MPE outside of the
    installed base?

5) What are the long-term consequences that HP's Corporate Managers
    desire to achieve by NOT *mentioning* MPE outside of the installed base?


Thank you,

  _______________
|               |
|               |
|            r  |  Alfredo                     [log in to unmask]
|          e    |                           http://www.adager.com
|        g      |  F. Alfredo Rego
|      a        |  Manager, R & D Labs
|    d          |  Adager Corporation
|  A            |  Sun Valley, Idaho 83353-3000            U.S.A.
|               |
|_______________|