Open question to HP Executives:

It takes, what, two seconds to add "MPE/iX" to the "NT, HP-UX and Linux"
mantra?

What will happen if you do? Let me be so presumptuous as to answer for you.

Either nothing, in which case you've only wasted two seconds; or, an analyst
or press representative will ask "What is MPE/iX?". Repeat after me now:
"free marketing opportunity".

If the same amount of energy expended explaining why MPE/iX never gets
mentioned by top HP executives when speaking to the press or financial
analysts were instead expended on promoting the platform we would all
(including HP) be much better off.

John (removing my rabble rousing hat) Burke

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Glenn Koster [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 6:26 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [HP3000-L] Carly Fiorina speak again...
>
>
> 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!
>