Message forwarded from MPE Forum.

Little by little, HP3000 is fading into the sunset.

Olav Kappert
.

Sletten Kenneth W KPWA wrote:

>Hello all users of IMAGE, TurboIMAGE, and Image/SQL:
>
>Given a recent reminder by Interex that HPW is fast approaching:
>
>I talked to the HP Database Lab recently, and they agree with me that at
>this point there does not appear to be a valid reason to justify holding
>another SIGImage/SQL meeting at HP World.  EXCEPT that HP is killing it [
>:-(( ], I don't know of any immediate burning IMAGE issues that need
>discussion at a separate face-time meeting.  Note that does not include
>renewing old acquaintances (but plenty of other HPW opportunities for that).
>Expectation is that there will be no more Image enhancements coming from HP;
>and the odd IMAGE-specific question can probably be brought up under the MPE
>umbrella, on 3000-L, or on the OpenMPE list.  And if there are a couple
>"maintenance mode" IMAGE announcements from HP between now and end of HP
>support at the end of 2006, they can also be posted to 3000-L and OpenMPE.
>
>There is one issue that a member of the Image/SQL Advisory Committee (ISAC)
>mentioned in this context, that some Homesteaders may sooner or later need
>to be concerned about:  SQL99;  and the fact the Image/SQL does not speak
>SQL99.  So if for that or other reason there is still a collective wish to
>continue SIGImage/SQL in some separate and distinct form, someone will have
>to volunteer to assume the mantle of Chairman.  I greatly appreciate the
>confidence and support of IMAGE users in letting me continue in the post of
>Chairman since 1996, but for a number of professional and personal reasons
>it's time for me to move on...
>
>Note it is my understanding that SIGMPE definitely WILL be meeting at
>HPW-2004 (there are certainly many unresolved MPE and OpenMPE issues).  If
>somehow one or more of my above assumptions are wrong, SIGMPE is probably
>the best forum at HPW to bring up an IMAGE question.  In fact, several
>people have suggested that SIGImage/SQL should be merged in with SIGMPE at
>this point.  If SIGMPE is willing, I agree with that suggestion.  Since I
>will not be at HPW this year either (cannot justify the trip), I leave it to
>you the IMAGE users who *will* be at HPW-2004 to bring that issue to the
>floor at the SIGMPE meeting if you so desire.
>
>SIGIMAGE:
>Quite a run since the 1990 Boston Tea Party.  Nick Demos lead the effort to
>re-start SIGIMAGE @ Boston;  Steve Cooper took the reins in his capable
>hands as the first Chairman;  then Jerry Fochtman;  then me.  But unless HP
>passes the MPE technical and licensing football to OpenMPE or etc., it's
>over.
>
>
>PROFESSIONAL FOOTNOTE:
>When our trusty 959KS-400 is turned off (THEORETICALLY by the end of
>calendar year 2004), except for embedded test set computers AFAIK that will
>be the end of the LAST serious general-purpose HP computer in our entire
>organization (our 959 has been running essentially 24x7 since December
>1995).  Our organization is going almost entirely to SQL/Server running on
>Dell;  desktops are a mix of Dell, Micron, and miscellaneous Joe's Midnight
>Computer parts;  i.e.:
>Adios, HP:  No need to bother calling us anymore (HP the COMPANY that is;
>NOT the many working-level technical HP employees we got to know on a
>personal basis over the last 16 years)...
>
>
>SIDEBAR FOOTNOTE:
>Given where things stand right now, my closing regret is that we did not go
>ahead and organize and put on a vocal protest demonstration during Carly's
>speech at HPW-2002.  Realize doing that likely would not actually have made
>anything move more in the right direction, but....  so it goes....
>
>Ken Sletten
>SIGImage/SQL Chair since 1996.
>Sine die.....
>
>
>

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