I have likened MPE to that of an old grandpa... and I hope nobody takes offense...

Grandpa ( or better known as MPE) lives in his own house (3000). For extended periods of time nobody (HP) would pay any attention to him . Everyone knew he was going to die but the old guy just kept going (legacy). His family (HP) would come around on occasion to give him medicine and food ( O/S upgrades and reactive patches ) rather than feel the guilt of letting the old guy drift away in death. His extended family ( end users ) would give the guy lots of attention ( programming changes and third party software ) and that made him feel very good, yet he is still dying. His family is constantly telling him he isn't going to die, yet they continue to ignore him. He has the opportunity to find the "Fountain of Youth" (perception and marketablility) to live FOREVER but he doesn't quite know how to find it or perhaps someone has been keeping it from him (HP). He will die someday... not today or tomorrow... but some day. [end]

I wonder if MPE would still be around if it weren't for the very large companies like Long's, State Farm, etc. keeping a ventilator on it.


>>> Shawn Gordon <[log in to unmask]> 09/25 12:35 PM >>>
the real question is why do we, as users, have to do this, or talk about it
at all?

<snip>