James Byrne detailed the fundamentals of OS popularity ("quantity has a
quality all its own"), after Daniel Kosack assumed that market popularity
establishes quality ("if anyone can explain to me why the world doesn't run
MPE like it runs UNIX...  I will gladly listen to the bashing.").
 
It hasn't escaped anyone's notice (on this list) that HP is supporting the
HP 9000 with more vigor than the 3000. James eloquently noted the many
reasons for HP's decisions to follow the popularity. They are enabled by
two things:
 
1. Human nature
2. Business practices (see No. 1)
 
Operating systems don't become popular on the basis of their technical
superiority. They are sold like products, after business decisions are
made. The world of computers is rife with operating systems which are less
popular than the market leaders. But they don't go away just because
they're less popular. Instead, they can become secret weapons, competitive
advantages that companies count on but don't talk about. Every week I find
another IS manager whose boss won't let him talk about a successful
implementation. "Why should we inform our competitors of our successful
practices?" they ask.
 
No one should mistake MPE for a lesser product simply because HP has chosen
to push another operating system harder in its sales and marketing efforts.
If your company's policy is that you must use the most popular products as
your business tools, then you should care about which computer environment
is most popular. Here's hoping your company lets you look at more -- like
functionality and true cost of ownership -- when making those choices. If
not, at least you'll have a lot of company, and the prospect of full
employment (see No. 1 above).
 
At our Plan Page Web site we've now got a look at what Unix means to the HP
3000 business plan (http://www.3000newswire.com/other/seybold/buscase.html)
Here's an excerpt:
 
"In May HP presents its business plan to East Coast US analysts at its
annual retreat. It's a certainty that NT will be added to the "Runs on
PA-RISC" lineup, so a prospective customer can order an HP system that runs
two operating systems. It remains to be seen if HP can make a business case
for including MPE/iX as one of the alternatives in that plan, to offer
three environments, all with their own advantages."
 
And Daniel, forgive us if we try to lift our spirits with some humor at the
most popular classmate's expense.
 
Ron Seybold, Editor In Chief
The 3000 News/Wire
Independent Information to Maximize Your HP3000
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