> After Steve Suraci, Christian wrote :
>> It is very obvious to me that HP is teetering with a PR disaster and
>> is well aware of it.
>
> This is where I disagree. Let's be pragmatic : at best, CSY business
> represented about 1% of HP's business, and probably way less in the
> final years. They can easily do without less than 1% of their
> business. A PR disaster, as far as MPE is concerned would involve
> only MPE customers, with other standing on the sidelines unbothered
> and unconcerned. IMHO, it would be a very minor PR disaster.
>

I don't know about that Christian.  I disagree that a bad PR move would only
lose MPE users and others would be unconcerned.  All an IBM or Sun would
have to do is get the "Executive Commitment" brochure that quoted HP's
statement of support for MPE and create doubt that HP-UX will survive at a
company that makes most of its money on ink cartridges.  Any HP-UX deals on
the fence could fall away from HP.  HP and IBM have chosen different paths
in handling their aging platforms.  IBM is trying to consolidate hardware
and OSs while HP has walked away from a 30 year-old relationship.  Surely a
Sun or IBM rep is going to point out who is willing to maintain a business
relationship.  I wouldn't under-estimate a bad PR move in the corporate
world.  I would agree that the consumer market would be OK, but then again,
that seems to be Carly's target audience these days.  Again, something your
local Sun rep will be more than willing to tell you.

Mark W.