Don't Panic...
I guess I must add my 2 cents as well. I'm deeply saddened by HP's
decision, but I also understand. I'm sure they had a
tough time convincing Application developers to develop for a proprietary
OS with a small market, despite the fact that it works really well and the
people that support those (MPE) systems really like them.
It's kind of like the Macintosh (although that's still doing ok) - A really
great computer with a small devoted following (including me).
Yes, HP has changed, but that's inevitable (since the founders aren't
around anymore) and the market has changed as well...Years ago, the main
options for computing were IBM, DEC, HP, Wang, Data General, Burroughs,
etc. Most of those died out on their own, with the HP 3000 'staying alive'
for a lot longer time.
I'm a sysadmin for a company that uses Amisys. Since Amisys is also a
terminal case (I'm sure that's part of the reason why less HP3k's are
selling), we've already started looking at software options that
(unfortunately) don't run on the HP 3k - So, we would have moved away from
the system anyways.
I do feel bad about smaller companies that don't have the resources to do a
wholesale change like this. Most businesses that have HP 3000's really
depend on them to run their business....now what??
Anyways, other than not-panic, I'm not sure what I'll be doing in 5 years.
We've all got time to think about it. I'm hoping that CSY can be broken out
into it's own company to just support the folks that need emergency help,
system parts, etc. This could help companies keep their investments intact
for a while (which they should pay for of course).
Personally, I've got lots of potential things I'd like to do for work, but
I need to think about it a bit. Like most of you, I am very comfortable
being an HP 3000 'guru' of sorts, and now my livelihood is being
threatened. I'm sure we'll all be ok, although I must say that Unix doesn't
interest me (unless it's on a Mac :)). Managing a HP 3000 has been too easy
compared to Unix or Windows horror stories I've heard
Bruce Conrad
perot systems @ Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
[my thoughts, not PS or HPHC]
I don't think the end of the HP3k is related to the (bad idea) proposed
Compaq merger. HP's new slogan is "Invent", but what is there about merging
with another company that reflects that?
p.s. Linux - pronounce it however you feel...I pronounce it 'to-mah-to'.
:)
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