Elbert E Silbaugh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 
>Alfredo notes something I have been thinking for a long time:
>
>> Duane has issued one of the BEST summaries on the whole subject at hand.
>> (I would question his sheepish and unquestioning acceptance of the
>> standard cliche that MPE is "proprietary" and, by implication, that
>> NT and HP-UX are not.)
>
>It is time for me to ask: What does 'Proprietary' mean in the
>computing world?
>
>Based on comments / articles read / management decisions over time,
>it seems to ME that 'proprietary' is something that can be bought from
>only one vendor. I have yet to see 2 HW or 2 SW products that run
>exactly the same way, have exactly the same features, etc but are
>supplied by 2 different manufacturers. Therefore I claim that every
>thing is proprietary.
>
>Some don't want MPE/iX because that is proprietary, then they buy
>an Oracle DBMS to put on a HP-UX box under the guise of not getting
>tied down to one vendor. Hmmm. Help me understand.
>
>So, what is 'proprietary'? How many common features must a product have
>to NOT be proprietary?
>
>Elbert "waiting for enlightenment" Silbaugh
 
 
Elbert:
 
I wish I could contribute earth-shaking ideas on your quest for
enlightenment.  But I am as baffled as you are.
 
Your point about Oracle is brilliant.  I never thought about it, but you
are right:  You can only buy Oracle from Oracle Corporation.
 
I guess I'll just take a good book and sit down next to you in the waiting
room,  "waiting for enlightenment".
 
 
 
Patiently yours,
 
+---------------+
|               |
|            r  |  Alfredo                     [log in to unmask]
|          e    |                           http://www.adager.com
|        g      |  F. Alfredo Rego               Tel 208 726-9100
|      a        |  Manager, Theoretical Group    Fax 208 726-2822
|    d          |  Adager Corporation
|  A            |  Sun Valley, Idaho 83353-3000            U.S.A.
|               |
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