Roshan Shah asks some pertinent questions. Unfortunately, they will go
unanswered. There is no marketing advantage to answering these questions.

One thing we know is that HP is committed to making money. HP, like almost
any other corporation, is obligated to enhance its shareholder's investment.
We can argue to fruition the merits of, means used, strategies taken and
moral stance of this commitment but it remains the only thing we know for
certain. HP will do what it thinks is best for its stakeholders; along the
way they may share information or open the source code but only if they
think it will abet their main goal, making a profit.

In regard to migration, one must ask themselves another question: Am I
obliged to buy a different product from my current vendor just because they
are my current vendor? If I own a Toro push mower and decide I need a riding
mower, am I obligated to buy a Toro tractor? This is especially true if I
believe Toro has been less than supportive of my push mower. I must ask
myself what I seek to accomplish. If I seek to buy the right tool to mow my
lawn then I can look at John Deere, Craftsman or any other vendor. If I seek
to own a Toro product then I can only look at Toro. (My apologies to Toro. I
do not mean to imply anything negative about Toro; they are merely an
example.)

With some exceptions most people will have to convert their software
applications if they move to *nix. If one has to install a different
enterprise software, they should choose this package based on their needs
and the package's features. Choosing an application package based on what
platform it uses is putting the cart before the horse. In this case, there
isn't even the excuse about in-house expertise since HP-UX is not MPE. The
learning curve will be there no matter what so choose the best package for
your business and then purchase the server(s) you need.

It is up to us, the buyers, to guarantee our that our purchases have the
best possible ROI, not the seller. "Caveat Emptor" is more than just P.T.
Barnum's motto; it is the duty that every purchasing manager has to his/her
company. It behooves us to force the seller to make and honor commitments to
us, the consumers. The vendor must see this a potential deal not a "done
deal." You are under no obligation to the potential vendor.

Let the vendor know your reservations, express your concerns and get a
commitment from them. Their answers need to satisfy you. You'll never get
everything you want but you must try to get everything you can. You do not
have to settle for an inferior product or service.

Vendors seek our vote of confidence. We vote with our dollars. Just because
you voted for HP yesterday does not mean you can't vote for Sun, IBM or Dell
tomorrow.

Let Peace be the maxim by which we act because we will Peace to become a
universal law.
Work For Peace
The opinions expressed herein are my own and not necessarily those of my
employer.
Yosef Rosenblatt

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