Tony Shepherd ([log in to unmask]) wrote (Sat. 1/28):
> Amen!  IMHO HP has never used the customer base's ideas and suggestions
> well, perhaps because of the layers between the user and the decision-
> maker.
 
Apparently Tony and others who may feel this way haven't been keeping-up
with all the activity which has been going-on since Boston or else they
aren't working their issues through proven channels which HAVE produced
results (or maybe they've just had their heads buried in the sand...).
 
[clop..clop..clop  (up on my soap box...)]
 
In San Diego the HP user community presented HP with a list of 10 important
enhancements for IMAGE.  With the next release of IMAGE/SQL, all 10 of these
user-requested enhancements will be complete!  In addition over this same
time period, a number of other user-recommended improvements have been made
to this DBMS.
 
Whether or not you realize it or not, the main reason that SQL access is
bundled with IMAGE today vs. a separate product is due to a small band of key
users promoting to HP the idea that users would accept a increase in support
fees so that this key enhancement to IMAGE would be available to all.  The
outcome is perhaps the first time in our inductry that the user community
voted to increase support costs so that all would receiver IMAGE/SQL.  While
initially sime expressed concern about this approach, today these same people
are some of the more adament supporters!
 
I've been involved in a number of software BETA tests, both directly and
indirectly, working closely with the HP lab teams.  During this effort we
uncovered minor glitches or possible improvements which, when fed back to
the lab, found their way into the final product release.
 
At the '94 IPROF Conference, the newly formed SIGMPE group digested boiled a
huge number of user-submitted enhancements ideas into a prioritized list
which was given to HP.  In turn, HP announced at the Denver Conference plans
to complete 6 of the top 10 by the Toronto show.  In addition, HP management
announced the bundling of ARPA services in the 5.0 release in response to
users needs.
 
All this, and more, have come about though the efforts of many people.  HP
folks include Glenn Osaka, Harry Sterling, Jim Sartain, Pam Bennett, Jeff
Vance, Ross McDonald, Mike Pavanen, Tony Engberg, and many, many others.
People from the user community who have given-up their valuable time and
own resources include people such as Wirt Atmar, Steve Cooper, Stan Sieler,
Ken Sletten, Fred White, Denys Beauchemin, Tony Furnivall, Isaac Blake,
and so on...  (my apologies for not mentioning everyone who deserves
recognition for their untiring efforts).
 
There are basically 2 types of people....those that complain about how
something should be, and those who work to make it happen.  Those in the
first group are like the couch potato, constantly channel surfing and never
satified.  On the other hand, those in the latter group make things happen.
So if you really want to make a difference, get actively involved...join a
SIG...be a BETA test site...volunteer to help.  The choice is yours...
 
[clop...crash (fell off my soap box)...]
 
Regards --  Jerry Fochtman