My reaction is, "If you want to participate, join the club".
Getting the SIB together and what precedes it costs money.
No free lunch.

Nick D.


John Dunlop wrote:
>
> Tony , you wrote:
> [snip]
> > This is a very imperfect analogy, but please bear with it.
> > Let's assume that you are a stockholder in a company that pays an annual
> > dividend to its stockholders. Let's assume also, that the company is in the
> > business of trying to, make life better for a whole load of people, some of
> > whome are stockholders, and most of whom are not. Somehow this company
> > makes enough money to distribute the dividend I talked about earlier.
> >
> > How would you feel if all of a sudden people began to say that the dividend
> > should now be offered to everyone regardless. Doesn't that pretty well
> > destroy the value of your investment?
>
> Sorry, you have lost me here. Yes, a very imperfect analogy.
> The HP3000 User Community is just that and Interex has no monopoly on
> who uses HP3000s.
> However, the SIB is a ballot for the improvement of the HP3000 for all
> HP3000 users, not just those who "join the club".
>
> > Interex develops mechanisms to help improve the lot of the entire HP
> > community (especially the HP3000 community, but that is largely due to the
> > historical nature of the Interex/HP relationship). Along the way it offers
> > special benefits to membership. AMong these is the right to vote on the
> > System Improvement Ballot. This right is reserved only to members. Anyone
> > can participate in SIG discussions and SIG surveys and many of the other
> > opportunities for discourse. But the right to vote is reserved exclusively
> > tio Interex members.
>
> This is just my point. This "privilege" to vote on the SIB shouldn't be
> just limited to Interex members.
>
> > If someone values that right, the way to acquire it is simple. People who
> > choose NOT to acquire that right have made a (presumptively) valid judgment
> > on the value of such a right. What you are proposing is tantamount to
> > having your neighbours cake and eating it too! Such behavior leads to tooth
> > decay - and worse (;-)
>
> Really, Tony. You are taking things rather too far. All I am asking is
> that all HP3000 users and not just the "Interex Club" get to have a vote
> on the improvement of the HP3000. Why should it be an elitist vote?
>
> > I have been a vocal defender of the concept that survey participation
> > should be as wide open as possible, to get the best possible debate; but
> > that voting should be reserved to those who choose to earn the right, by
> > becoming members.
>
> Um, that seems rather a contradiction.
>
> I have been a member of Interex for many years and I also participated
> in the first SIB for MPE and even typed up the technical issues on the
> Interex HP150! So I am aware of both sides of the question but I still
> would like to see a wider input to the SIB.
>
> 'nuff said.
>
> Cheers,
>
> John Dunlop
>
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