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From: jon@boulder.UUCP (Jonathan Corbet)
Newsgroups: net.news
Subject: Did I blow it?  (Tektronix take note)
Message-ID: <345@boulder.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 22:32:15 EST
Article-I.D.: boulder.345
Posted: Tue Apr 16 22:32:15 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Apr-85 00:11:45 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: National Center for Atmospheric Research
Lines: 75

[]

	Almost a month ago, I posted a request to net.graphics concerning
color hardcopy devices (the message I posted is repeated at the end of this
article).  In the message I indicated that I was currently using Tektronix
terminals with attached plotters of unspecified brand and model number.  I
stated that the situation was unacceptable, since there were severe reliability
problems with the plotters.

	Last Friday, I got a call from the local Tektronix sales rep who (1)
offered to sell my one of their fancy $5K (I don't remember the exact price)
plotters that was "much more reliable," and (2) informed me that her higher-
ups at Tek were not at all pleased that I had posted an article from which
people could infer that Tektronix equipment was unreliable, and stated
(I paraphrase here) "Tektronix was not planning to take any action against me,
but we are increasingly concerned about this kind of posting, and feel that we
will have to take action against people who post that sort of message in the
future."

	My question is: did I really do something wrong by posting the article?
Granted, I could have expressed myself a little better, but I had just finished
fixing the (still unspecified) plotter for the fourth time that week, and I was
not in a good mood.  I can full document the reliability problems we have 
experienced with these plotters -- we keep repair logs.  I said nothing that was
untrue.  One of the real strengths of USENET, it seems to me, is the ability 
to compare notes on both hardware and software, and to make better buying
decisions therefrom.  However, I certainly would not wish to do anything that
would endanger the net, or to expose me, my company, or the net to legal action.
So I ask: did I blow it with this article?

	Finally, I will add this, just in case it makes people feel better: 
the results of my query indicate that, at this point in time, there is really
not anything out there in a reasonable price range that is better than the 
Tektronix equipment.

	It does seem to me, however, that Tek has some customer relations
problems.  Most reputable companies (and Tektronix is certainly a reputable
company) will go out of their way to help a customer that is dissatisfied
with their product.  Tektronix chose to threaten me instead, and I don't
appreciate it.  If the person in the Tektronix hierarchy (whose name
I neglected to obtain) who objected to my posting would like to call me,
I would be happy to discuss the problem.  Please don't send your sales people
after me again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the original article I posted to net.graphics:


> From postnews Sat Mar 23 19:31:41 1985
> Subject: Color hardcopy device query
> Newsgroups: net.graphics,net.periphs
> Distribution: net
> 
> 	We at NCAR are looking for a color hardcopy device for our graphic
> output with the following qualities:
> 
> 	- At least 500 X 500 resolution
> 
> 	- Speed: less than a minute for a page would be nice
> 
> 	- Reliability: frequent breakdowns don't go.
> 
> 	- Cost: preferably under $10K, but if you know of one for more
> 	  that is really good, please pass the info on anyway.
> 
> Currently we have a couple of Tektronix 4107 terminals with attached plotters.
> They (the plotters) are simply unacceptable, since (1) they take 10 minutes
> to make a copy of the screen, and (2) they are incredibly flakey, breaking
> down 2-3 times per week.
> 
> Many thanks for any info you could provide.
-- 
Jonathan Corbet
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Field Observing Facility
{seismo|hplabs}!hao!boulder!jon		(Thanks to CU CS department)