At 06:56 AM 10/25/2002 +0200, Neil Harvey wrote:
>Cecile remarks
>
>"Regarding third-party vendors, I would really like to see each one
>promise that if or when circumstances change and they are about to drop
>out of the HP3000 support arena, they will provide one last release with
>no expiration and no checking of CPU name or model or serial or
>anything.  There's no need to protect against piracy if you're getting
>out of the market anyway."

I hope that HP agrees with you!  ;=]]

Unfortunately, as a vendor is winding down, the last investment that they
wish to make is to do code changes followed by a final shipment to each and
every customer.


>And I'd like to see vendors who commit so readily to support until the
>last customer goes also commit to fixed cost escalations.....

I'd like to see someone leave each of us $25M in cash.
Actually, as I am sure you are aware, there are really no guarantees in
business.  If the vendor gets down to a handful of customers to support and
has no other related business then it will become expensive for those few
customers unless the vendor is philanthropic. For many vendors, what their
business would look like at that point in time would be very difficult to
forsee.


>Neil


Brian Duncombe  [log in to unmask]  http://www.triolet.com
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"Inside every large program is a small one desperately trying to get out"
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