Quoting "Jonathan M. Backus" <[log in to unmask]>:

>...What if end users were able to go to a
> single source and say "I would like to purchase a new Intel based
> whatever,
> with the Allegro PA-RISC emulator, MPE/iX 7.5, some sub-systems, and
> some
> 3rd party utilities, preloaded on it."  Would Allegro be interested
> in
> focusing on what they do best, creating great software (possibly
> including
> an emulator), and be willing to outsource the distribution to a
> central
> entity that also has the rights to distribute MPE and 3rd party
> software?

I believe that Allegro already does something like this with Lund.

>         I know that SRI is also in the list and would be interested
> to see if they
> would be willing to work with a model like this as well?

The "single-source" model, sometimes called a monopoly, may constitute
some trouble for organizations who must get bids from multiple
sources.  Ken may correct me, but I seem to recall while working for a
sole-source supplier to the Navy that there was extra scrutiny on us.
Now if SRI has one emulator and Allegro another and they were
distributed separately, then there wouldn't be an issue.  You also
have the added benefit that competition would help keep the overhead
down on the middlemen involved.

FWIW