Hello all users of IMAGE, TurboIMAGE, and Image/SQL:

Given a recent reminder by Interex that HPW is fast approaching:

I talked to the HP Database Lab recently, and they agree with me that at
this point there does not appear to be a valid reason to justify holding
another SIGImage/SQL meeting at HP World.  EXCEPT that HP is killing it [
:-(( ], I don't know of any immediate burning IMAGE issues that need
discussion at a separate face-time meeting.  Note that does not include
renewing old acquaintances (but plenty of other HPW opportunities for that).
Expectation is that there will be no more Image enhancements coming from HP;
and the odd IMAGE-specific question can probably be brought up under the MPE
umbrella, on 3000-L, or on the OpenMPE list.  And if there are a couple
"maintenance mode" IMAGE announcements from HP between now and end of HP
support at the end of 2006, they can also be posted to 3000-L and OpenMPE.

There is one issue that a member of the Image/SQL Advisory Committee (ISAC)
mentioned in this context, that some Homesteaders may sooner or later need
to be concerned about:  SQL99;  and the fact the Image/SQL does not speak
SQL99.  So if for that or other reason there is still a collective wish to
continue SIGImage/SQL in some separate and distinct form, someone will have
to volunteer to assume the mantle of Chairman.  I greatly appreciate the
confidence and support of IMAGE users in letting me continue in the post of
Chairman since 1996, but for a number of professional and personal reasons
it's time for me to move on...

Note it is my understanding that SIGMPE definitely WILL be meeting at
HPW-2004 (there are certainly many unresolved MPE and OpenMPE issues).  If
somehow one or more of my above assumptions are wrong, SIGMPE is probably
the best forum at HPW to bring up an IMAGE question.  In fact, several
people have suggested that SIGImage/SQL should be merged in with SIGMPE at
this point.  If SIGMPE is willing, I agree with that suggestion.  Since I
will not be at HPW this year either (cannot justify the trip), I leave it to
you the IMAGE users who *will* be at HPW-2004 to bring that issue to the
floor at the SIGMPE meeting if you so desire.

SIGIMAGE:
Quite a run since the 1990 Boston Tea Party.  Nick Demos lead the effort to
re-start SIGIMAGE @ Boston;  Steve Cooper took the reins in his capable
hands as the first Chairman;  then Jerry Fochtman;  then me.  But unless HP
passes the MPE technical and licensing football to OpenMPE or etc., it's
over.


PROFESSIONAL FOOTNOTE:
When our trusty 959KS-400 is turned off (THEORETICALLY by the end of
calendar year 2004), except for embedded test set computers AFAIK that will
be the end of the LAST serious general-purpose HP computer in our entire
organization (our 959 has been running essentially 24x7 since December
1995).  Our organization is going almost entirely to SQL/Server running on
Dell;  desktops are a mix of Dell, Micron, and miscellaneous Joe's Midnight
Computer parts;  i.e.:
Adios, HP:  No need to bother calling us anymore (HP the COMPANY that is;
NOT the many working-level technical HP employees we got to know on a
personal basis over the last 16 years)...


SIDEBAR FOOTNOTE:
Given where things stand right now, my closing regret is that we did not go
ahead and organize and put on a vocal protest demonstration during Carly's
speech at HPW-2002.  Realize doing that likely would not actually have made
anything move more in the right direction, but....  so it goes....

Ken Sletten
SIGImage/SQL Chair since 1996.
Sine die.....