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

E-mail : [log in to unmask]
Web : http://www.hp3000links.com
"All your HP3000 resources on the Net"
Mirror: http://homepages.tcp.co.uk/~jdunlop