Hello Friends:

Brad Daniels asked if anybody had heard about the timing of MPE/iX release
6.0, and Jerry Fochtman replied that "HP's last communication on 6.0
indicated sometime 1Q98, subject to change as always." In fact, HP's latest
communications indicate 6.0 is due out in the *first HALF* of 1998.  Given
the recent delay of Express 3, about which HP's Kriss Rant said "all this
new functionality on an Express release has created some unique challenges
for us," it seems likely that 6.0 won't be shipping during the FRONT half
of 1998's first half. After all, some of the same people who are working on
6.0 are still perfecting Express 3 and Express 4 -- the latter of which HP
still says will be ready by year's end.

You may find less that's brand-new in 6.0 than in prior releases numbered
dot-zero. HP is starting to use the Express releases as the first draft of
its newest MPE/iX technology, then consolidating the work from Expresses in
the next Platform Release.

Perhaps our helpful colleague inside HP, Jon Cohen, can clarify the change
in philosophy (if any) about the Express releases.

Ron Seybold, Editor In Chief
The 3000 NewsWire
Independent Information to Maximize Your HP 3000
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