I don't know how many of you caught any of Carly's speech at "NETWORLD +
INTEROP" in Atlanta yesterday.  I know I didn't, but I have read her
speech... and there are some disturbing bits in her text (see
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/ceo/speeches/ceo_networld_00.htm for the complete
speech).

In a nutshell, she suggested that a major computing shift (again) is just
around the corner.  HP's presumption of the coming shift is based on three
beliefs...

1.  Solutions must be engineered for the rigors of relentless always-on
Internet environments .
2.  Open systems are the best way to help this new universe evolve to its
fullest .
3.  Our [HP's] systems must anticipate and embrace the key computing and
technology shifts ahead

There isn't much to argue with on the basic premise.  HP has a good track
record with being at the forefront of some shifts (including PA-RISC).
Carly's words, therefore, are worthy of deeper inspection.  It is the deeper
inspection that causes me some concern...  Here are some of the more
detailed quotes worthy of being repeated...

    "So, here's what we mean when we talk about Always-On
    Internet Infrastructure . and this is important because its
    sets a very high standard- one that very few, if any,
    vendors can match.

    It includes a combination of:

     - The best front-end planning, design, configuration and
        performance tuning services.
     - Best-in-class hardware and software solutions . including
       our networked storage solutions and our integrated software
       offerings for managing and securing systems and networks.
     - It acknowledges the fact that customers have discrete needs
       within their computing environments, needs that require
       different computing platforms . therefore NT, HP-UX and
       Linux, all receive mission-critical levels of support.
     - And finally, when we deliver Always-On solutions it includes
       world-class experience in monitoring, managing and supporting
       customer environments.

    ...<skip>

    Technology is changing so fast, that to bet a business on
    proprietary technology . or on a single technology .
    commits an IT environment to becoming a legacy environment.

    ...<skip large portion>

    So in a world characterized by rapid technology
    advances, intense competition, and dynamic markets .
    the only way to help our customers avoid paralysis
    is to provide flexibility . to embrace, support and
    promote open, industry standards-based technologies
    and platforms. Period.

    ... <big skip again>

    As I said earlier, different operating systems are beginning
    to support different application requirements. We believe
    NT, HP-UX and Linux are all important and we remain
    firmly committed to supporting all three on their existing
    chip architectures as well as on IA-64."

    <end of quoted texts>

There was a lot more to the speech - and some interesting discussions may
come of it.  What I wanted to point out is that Carly has once again done
the despicable... but she went a step further (I believe).  She failed to
mention MPE/iX at a time when it was appropriate.  Hey, this was a
conference for internet companies.  She discussed open systems (and MPE/iX
is one of the most open proprietary systems with Posix), reliable platforms
(any arguments here?), and always on computing (how often does an MPE box go
down - even for scheduled maintenance?).  These are three of the major draws
to MPE (in my opinion), and yet she didn't mention MPE again (despite
mentioning UNIX, Windows and Linux).  However, she also drove a spike into
the coffin of proprietary systems by equating "proprietary systems" with
"legacy"...

So, I ask you...  Is this the death knell from Carly for MPE or a challenge
to greater openness, increased emphasis on Posix?

Glenn J. Koster, Sr.
Quintessential School Systems
Developers of QWEBS (see www.qss.com)
QWEBS : The Next Generation - Coming soon to an HP e3000 near you!