Got a nice flashy HP flyer from Client Systems today that talks about
discounts available if you buy an hp e3000 by January 31.  You can get
details at www.3kworld.com/hppromo.

Unfortunately they seem to have been getting their mathematical advice from
our Presidential Candidates.  Quoting from the ad:

> order an hp e3000 9x9ks server before january 31, 2001, and
> get up to 40% in combined savings
>
> it's a stroke of genius!
>
>         lets do the math:
>
>  15% off OS/database user licenses
>                  +
> 15% off server and OS/database support
>                  +
>  10% off the hp webwise secure solution
>                  +
>               90 days
>                  =
> up to 40% savings (for a limited time)"

Sigh.  It makes you wonder why they stopped at 40%, since with this logic
there is no limit to the potential savings...

Order now and we'll give you 1% off each byte of memory in the system.
That's a one billion percent discount!

G. "What will you do with all the money you save?"