David Randall <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Leonard wrote,
>
><snip> Since the time to perform an update is considerable, given our
philosphy,
>- should we simply install the 5.0 push on the 987-150 or should we
>- leap-frog to the Express 3 release, with the latest powerpatch, C.50.04
>- that Jon Cohen wrote about this morning?  Or some alternative.
>
>
>The key issue that we look at is support life, Express releases come
>off of support 6 months after the next Push, while Push releases stay
>on cover much longer (like 18 months?) after the next push, unless
>there is something really necessary in the Express releases we stick
>to pushed platforms.
>
>David Randall, Healthcall (UK) +44(1908)691919 Fx +44(1908)235096
>EMail - 100126,[log in to unmask] - All opinions are mine and not my
employers.
 
 
 
Well, that's not exactly how we think about it.  A Powerpatch is a
proactive way to deliver bug fixes to customer before they experience
the bugs.  An Express Release is a Powerpatch plus retrofitted
SUBSYS applications.  Therefore, the BEST solution we can offer a
customer is the release he/she has ordered with its latest Powerpatch
(and/or Express).
 
We consider the Powerpatch to be part of the release -- the Powerpatch
is simply delivered later than the initial shipments of the release.
In fact, the Powerpatch is a critical aspect to the support of a
given release.  I'm not sure where you got the information about an
Express having its own support life -- that's not really true.  The
release has a specific support life, and as a part of that release,
the Express & Powerpatch share the exact same support life.  For
example, Release 4.0 is still supported, but it's support life will
end in a few months.  Right now, 4.0 and all its Expresses/Powerpatches
are supported.  If you have an early version of 4.0, chances are that
any problems you encounter have been addressed by a later Powerpatch;
if you report a problem with 4.0, we (HP) is likely to suggest that
you get up on the latest Powerpatch.  But when the 4.0 support life
expires, 4.0 and all its Powerpatch/Express combination's become
unsupported at the same time.
 
Today, whenever anyone orders 5.0 Push, they will automatically
receive the base 5.0 FOS & SLT tapes, the last Express SUBSYS tape
(customized to contain only the customer's ordered products), and
the latest Powerpatch.  We highly recommend that you install the
Powerpatch when you install 5.0 Push.
 
 
Jon Cohen
HP -- Commercial Systems Division