Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!maverick.ksu.ksu.edu!uafhp!uafhcx!mea1
From: mea1@uafhcx.uucp (Mark _E_ Amos)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: HP promo
Summary: Great Job!
Message-ID: <5088@uafhp.uark.edu>
Date: 14 Aug 90 20:04:42 GMT
References: <1854@ac.dal.ca>
Sender: netnews@uafhp.uark.edu
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Lines: 35



  Congratulations, consumers - you have just taken part in what is popularly
  known as "field beta testing" with a twist:  You PAID HP to test their
  product.  Now that you've gotten the majority of the bugs discovered and hp
  has Rev D up with no "major" flaws, it's time to really begin genuine sales
  and promotions to the public.  All you loyal hp fans out there have served a
  great purpose in the scheme of things, and you should be glad you paid for
  the priviledge...

Just too bad I too dropped the cash for both the SX and the Eq. Lib card.  I
don't think the Rev E theory is true - I believe the above paragraph is closer
to the truth, as I have seen this tactic before (the American auto makers have
been at it for years), but never thought HP would
lower themselves to this depth.  This product, while arguably the greatest
handheld to hit the market, will most likely be the LAST HP product I own
unless they respond to this line of postings with a reasonable explanation and
hopefully some restitution for those of us who have contributed significantly
to their success in handhelds et. al.

At this point someone will be inclined to tell us to quit whining and be glad
it works so well for the money - but the issue here is the underhanded beta
models that were intensionally put on the market for us hardcore nerds to buy
up and find bugs, then not providing a ROM upgrade path, THEN taking the
refined version to market with an "introductory" (ha!) promo that WE are
entitled to!  I held my tongue on the (nonexistent) ROM upgrade path but this
is too much.  It's not so much we didn't get our money's worth, but more the
blatent underhandedness and slap in the face to us HP loyalists.  My sentiments
toward Corporate America are worsening by the hour, and with the loss of an old
friend like HP to the fast buck mentality, I grieve all the more.

Regretfully yours,

mea1@uafhcx.uark.edu
Computer Science Engineering