On Wednesday, May 14, 1997 9:30 AM, Wirt Atmar wrote:
> It would be extremely impolite and ungracious of me to mention the fact that
> the numerous, sincere requests over the last week or so for HP to release a
> very small, 1-2 user development machine (a "908") -- which would include
> copies of all of HP's subsystem software included for a very reasonable price
> -- is the philosophical antithesis of the "No more tiered priced software!"
> conclusion that tends to be reached on this list every once and a while.
> However, it is human nature to change philosophical positions when the wallet
> is on the other foot, so to speak, thus I wouldn't begin to mention it :-).
>
> However, as many of you know, I have always thought that low introductory
> pricing is "A Very Good Thing"(tm). Indeed, it is the mechanism that attracts
> new users -- and most especially developers -- to any platform. If the entry
> barrier is placed to high, especially when the benefits of developing and
> using a system such as the HP3000 aren't wholly transparent on the front
> side, then the potential user will simply look elsewhere.
>
> <Drum roll...>
>
> In that regard, let me say that I am quite pleased to announce a new price
> tier for QueryCalc for a 1-2 user, "908" system -- should HP ever truly
> release one. The price for QueryCalc on this size machine will be US$450.00.
>
> Although you may not realize it immediately, there is an historic aspect to
> this price. QueryCalc is a product that is essentially Quiz, Suprtool,
> Harvard Graphics (and soon, Reflection and Excel), all rolled into one
> package, executing wholly on the HP3000 in session or batch.
>
> At this price point, HP3000 software has reached PC pricing levels. Further,
> the price will include 5 hours of free telephone support/training (that's
> more than sufficient to become expert in the use of QC; most users don't
> require that much support during a year even though at all other normal price
> tiers they have unlimited support priviledges).
>
> There will be no maintenance charges at this price level. Rather, if upgrades
> are desired, the next year's price will be $450.00 again. However, such
> payment would also include another 5 hours worth of telephone support.
> Nonetheless, paying the yearly charges are not mandatory. The copies shipped
> will be permanent copies, tied directly to the HPSUSAN number of the machine,
> not a time stamp.
>
> Although a 1-2 user "908" doesn't actually yet exist, we believe enough in
> the value of the idea that we will now begin officially listing this price on
> our price sheets, regardless of how much confusion it may cause.
>
> Why do this? Because it is very good for us. But it's also good for the
> developer community, their customers, and ultimately for us all. There's no
> reason why the HP3000 can't be the world's best, most robust, most useful,
> and most scalable PC.

O.K., I'll bite.  How much of this was "real"? :)

LB