(They say that speaking in front of a large group of people is the most
fearful experience - but I think posting to this group may replace it!)

There has been a lot of talk about Interex Roundtables, and specifically the
management Roundtable. Since I was responsible for designing the format for
the (non Management) round-tables, let me clarify what the intention was.

1.  The goal is to provide an educational and enjoyble experience for all
involved, i.e. attendees, panellists and moderator.
2.  The format was:
    i.  Presubmitted question
   ii.  Follow-up from original questioner
  iii.  Follow-up from others
   iv.  When all pre-submitted questions were done, then:
    v.  Floor question
   vi.  Follow up from original questioner
  vii.  Follow up from others

Obviously it is much better if questions can be pre-submitted, as it gives
panellists a chance to prepare an answer, as opposed to "I'll take that
back, and let you know". The intent is for substantive information exchange
to take place at these events. I can not state too strongly that these
events are not intended as opportunities to blast HP or others, and the
guidelines for moderators were very specific in that regard.
Likewise "asking a question" as a way of making a statement is also
discouraged (some floor questions not withstanding!).

The management round-table was deliberately designed differently, to address
the specific concerns raised by many hundreds of respondents (both Interex
members and non-members) to the 1997 Advocacy Survey. This single piece of
management level advocacy is one of the most valuable exercises in which
Interex engages each year. It is much more important to HP than they might
care to state publicly. As a result we tried to make the presentation of the
issues and responses more in the form of a shared dialog, rather than a
confrontational Q&A. The fact is that HP has had time, this year, to begin
not merely to respond to the survey results, but to take specific action on
them!

The Interex Advocacy Operations Group does commit to getting an answer to
each presubmitted and floor asked question, and I believe our track record
is pretty good on this. Not perfect, but we're working on it.

These round-tables are indeed an opportunity for people to interact with HP
management, but not a place for beating dead horses. I would be delighted to
discuss this on-line (or off-line if you prefer) to see if there are
specific, constructuve ways that we could improve the process for all the
Interex membership, bearing in mind that the vast majority of the membership
has to struggle with less reliable and exuberantly supported platforms than
the HP3000 and MPE!

(Now he stands there with quaking knees and waits for the flames.....)