Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!winchester!mash From: mash@mips.COM (John Mashey) Newsgroups: comp.arch Subject: Re: Yet another upgrade story-- in software Keywords: upgrade fun Message-ID: <38613@mips.mips.COM> Date: 9 May 90 18:45:30 GMT References: <40793@cornell.UUCP> Sender: news@mips.COM Reply-To: mash@mips.COM (John Mashey) Distribution: comp Organization: MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. Lines: 25 In article <40793@cornell.UUCP> wayner@cs.cornell.edu (Peter Wayner) writes: >We just took delivery of some very nice HP workstations. Apparently >they come with something called a two-user license which limits >the number of people logged into the machine to two. There must >be some part of login program which only allows two people to start >shells. Naturally, this encourages people to buy more workstations... This whole pricing discussion has been "interesting". In general, before ascribing particular motivations to particular companies, it is useful to understand many more issues, and at least ask questions. In particular, it is useful to know that AT&T licensing requirements distinguish between 1-2 user systems and more. At various times there have been various break points, and I've lost track. However, if HP sells you an upgrade to 3 users, they are almost certainly required by contract to pay AT&T more money. Hence, everybody (to be competitive) these days tends to have a 1-2 user license, and then [other things]. -- -john mashey DISCLAIMER: UUCP: mash@mips.com OR {ames,decwrl,prls,pyramid}!mips!mash DDD: 408-524-7015 or 408-720-1700 USPS: MIPS Computer Systems, 930 E. Arques, Sunnyvale, CA 94086