"James B. Byrne" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Andrew Sigmund wrote: >> >> In the HP 3000 FAQ on 3K's web site, I noticed several >> references to the MPE/iX 5.0 "push" release, and one >> reference to a "pull" release. Could `someone enlighten >> me as to what these terms (push/pull) mean when refering >> to software releases? >> > >A cynical person might say that the difference is: > >One you have to ask for; >The other you get whether you want it or not. > >There are certain support issues related to the push/pull >moniker. Once the push release of an OS is out the door the >support life of the pull release expires six months later (or >something along those lines). >-- >James B. Byrne mailto:[log in to unmask] >Harte & Lyne Limited http://www.harte-lyne.ca >Hamilton, Ontario 905-561-1241 Well, I'm not cynical, but I'd say your definition is pretty good. You have to place an order to get a pull release. Once every other year or so, we will send a push release to all customers who have support contracts. "Pull" and "Push" are internal terms that have been somewhat adopted by the HP3000 community. We do this to encourage our customers to move forward to releases with extended support lives. Support Life: we also call "push" releases "Platform Releases", and these have extended support life. A Platform Release is supported for 2 years or a year after then next Platform Release, whichever is longer. A regular ("pull") release is supported for less time. So, if you want to get onto a stable release and stay there for a long time, get onto a Platform or "push" release. For example: 4.0 (a Platform Release) shipped in mid-1992 and is still supported (although it will not be supported once Release 5.5 ships, in mid-1996). 4.5 (a "pull" release) shipped at the end of 1992, and the 5.0 Pull shipped in mid-1994 -- both 4.5 and 5.0 Pull are no longer supported. Hope this helps. Jon Cohen HP -- Commercial Systems Division