I'm getting a little confused about the issue. Originally, it appeared
that people were stirred to action by some official quotes from HP's
upper management which ignored MPE. It seemed that the best response
would be an advertisement in a major magazine, purchased by HP3000 users
which would draw press/public attention to the omission and serve to
educate managers/IT people about the HP3000 and MPE. However, the waters
seem a little muddy now.

If the intention is to let HP upper management know about the HP3000
community concerns, surely a letter to Carly, signed by a few thousand
users would achieve that purpose, cost minimal. Add to that Winston
Prather's assurances and hopefully HP will provide the public exposure
that is needed.

Alternatively, if the intention is to draw the world's attention to the
merits of the HP3000 and to garner interest in new places, then the
proposed advertisement should generate some effect while also sending
the message to HP upper management that the HP3000 community is prepared
to put money where HP's mouth should be.

If, as someone has suggested, HP upper management is merely waiting for
an "obsolete" system to die off, then nothing will avail unless it is
possible to persuade HP upper management that there are sound economic
reasons for providing more public backing for the HP3000. This means
convincing them that rather than watching the existing installed base
(30,000 systems?) dwindle as they actively market Unix and Windows (and
Linux), that $$$s should be put into marketing the HP3000 which will
provide a concrete return on investment.  I'm not sure how this can be
done.

I have just tried to order my thoughts on this thread and welcome any
comments.

Cheers,

John Dunlop

E-mail : [log in to unmask]       "If at first you don't succeed...
Web : http://www.hp3000links.com       Don't take up sky-diving !"
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