It would be extremely impolite and ungracious of me to mention the fact that
the numerous, sincere requests over the last week or so for HP to release a
very small, 1-2 user development machine (a "908") -- which would include
copies of all of HP's subsystem software included for a very reasonable price
-- is the philosophical antithesis of the "No more tiered priced software!"
conclusion that tends to be reached on this list every once and a while.
However, it is human nature to change philosophical positions when the wallet
is on the other foot, so to speak, thus I wouldn't begin to mention it :-).

However, as many of you know, I have always thought that low introductory
pricing is "A Very Good Thing"(tm). Indeed, it is the mechanism that attracts
new users -- and most especially developers -- to any platform. If the entry
barrier is placed to high, especially when the benefits of developing and
using a system such as the HP3000 aren't wholly transparent on the front
side, then the potential user will simply look elsewhere.

<Drum roll...>

In that regard, let me say that I am quite pleased to announce a new price
tier for QueryCalc for a 1-2 user, "908" system -- should HP ever truly
release one. The price for QueryCalc on this size machine will be US$450.00.

Although you may not realize it immediately, there is an historic aspect to
this price. QueryCalc is a product that is essentially Quiz, Suprtool,
Harvard Graphics (and soon, Reflection and Excel), all rolled into one
package, executing wholly on the HP3000 in session or batch.

At this price point, HP3000 software has reached PC pricing levels. Further,
the price will include 5 hours of free telephone support/training (that's
more than sufficient to become expert in the use of QC; most users don't
require that much support during a year even though at all other normal price
tiers they have unlimited support priviledges).

There will be no maintenance charges at this price level. Rather, if upgrades
are desired, the next year's price will be $450.00 again. However, such
payment would also include another 5 hours worth of telephone support.
Nonetheless, paying the yearly charges are not mandatory. The copies shipped
will be permanent copies, tied directly to the HPSUSAN number of the machine,
not a time stamp.

Although a 1-2 user "908" doesn't actually yet exist, we believe enough in
the value of the idea that we will now begin officially listing this price on
our price sheets, regardless of how much confusion it may cause.

Why do this? Because it is very good for us. But it's also good for the
developer community, their customers, and ultimately for us all. There's no
reason why the HP3000 can't be the world's best, most robust, and most useful
PC.

</Drum roll...>

Wirt Atmar