The last time anyone from a major corporation contacted little 'ole me for a
vote was a nasty takeover fight with Gillette. That was about 10 years ago.
Believe me I'm not even on the Forbes 100,000 ;-)

The institutional investors will be the deciding block and you can bet both
camps are courting the principals. The California State Retirement fund, for
example, has become so huge that many Boards don't make major decisions
without consulting them. I believe they are over 100 Billion in assets.
Don't know if they have a stake in HP but I would imagine some.

I believe it is taking a huge chance going either way but I sided with
Walter because like most of you I remember "The old HP" - and I have seen
what it is becoming.

Some of the change, I believe, was/is unavoidable such as the no layoff
policy - but a lot of the change, as we all know- was/is avoidable.

There was a time when HP's customer base was their greatest sales force...

Bill

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