Jeff,
Great questions. You caused a lurker to respond. We definitely need
more questions. First I have some comments. For years I have
bragged that HP and the HP3000 was a great example of "doing it
right". I would say "you could have programs that were compiled in
the late 70's and 20 years later they would still run". Once in a
while I bring up my Apple IIe that I dumped for an IBM PC because
even with software it was cheaper than an Apple III and I could no
longer depend on Apple for forward or backward compatibility. Today
I can still have a DOS program compiled in the early 80's that still
runs on an IBM PC with Windows/XP [not IBM OS/8 and maybe not much
longer]. I sometimes mention Atari, Commodore 64, 1401, System 34,
System 36, System 38, 8100 as examples of some company's short lived
platforms that did not include forward/backward compatibility. I've
encountered many people and companies that spent large sums of money
converting from one to the other only to convert again and again
while those on the HP3000's always had backward compatibility. The
real point is that HP's decision to end the life of the HP3000 has
caused some business people to evaluate alternatives and the emulator
is still vaporware. I haven't read every email, but I haven't been
getting warm fuzzies.
8. Why should I wait any longer before seeking other reasonable
alternatives?
9. If I have to invest a sizable amount of money [testing complete
enterprise applications and associated "systems" software on a new
hardware platform with a new operating system and emulation software
will cost a sizable amount of money], why shouldn't I invest in
something that might be around in 20 years like Linux Clustered
Servers with Oracle 9i/RAC on IBM hardware?
10. Will HP3000 emulation last 20 years?
11. How much is anyone investing in the future of HP3000 emulation?
12. Will the license fee be forever [in perpetuity] or can HP ask
for a $20,000 renewal in 2008?
13. If the license fee is annual will there be caps?
14. The debates and arguments have been fun, but who is investing,
marketing and selling the emulator concept?
15. The company I work for selected Dec Alpha servers a few years
ago. Should we convert Tru 64 to Linux and IBM at the same time
as the HP3000's? You have permission to pass this one on.
16. Can we please get some warm fuzzies?
I apologize if my lack of political correctness offended anyone.
Everything I wrote in this e-mail is directly from my brain via
my finger tips and may not be used, repeated, quoted or laughed
at without my permission [and a right to use license] except on
the OpenMpe forum.
Chuck Duncan
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> VANCE,JEFF (HP-Cupertino,ex1)
> Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 5:43 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: MPE Licensing
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've been paying attention to various licensing and distribution
> related to a PA-RISC platform emulator. Below are some of the
> questions that have been asked in this and other forums which I
> offer for any further comments. Are there other questions you
> have, as potential emulator customers, or as an emulator vendor,
> which you feel are important for us to answer?
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> 1. Will the version(s) of MPE that runs on the emulator include
> crippling code? If so, will it be possible to upgrade the license
> to get a fully performant version of MPE? If not, GREAT!.
>
> 2. Will the version(s) of MPE that run on the emulator include user
> logon restrictions? If so, will it be possible to upgrade the license
> to remove this restriction? If not, GREAT!
>
> 3. Will the version of MPE that runs on to the emulator include all
> HP subsystems, including compilers?
>
> 4. Will I be able to continue to use my existing 3000 in parallel to
> the emulator systems for X months as I test the system before giving
> up my MPE license for the PA-RISC box? What is X?
>
> 5. Will there be a way to demo the emulator without paying the MPE
> license fee?
>
> 6. Will there be a way to beta test the emulator without paying the
> MPE license fee?
>
> 7. Will HP's MPE license fee be a one time fee or an annual fee?
>
> 8. _____________________________________________
>
> 9. _____________________________________________
>
>
> Happy Holidays to all,
>
> Jeff Vance, "CSY"
>
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