Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!rutgers!rochester!udel!burdvax!sdcrdcf!ism780c!mikep From: mikep@ism780c.UUCP (Michael A. Petonic) Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards,comp.unix.xenix Subject: Re: Microport - Man or Myth? Message-ID: <7549@ism780c.UUCP> Date: Sun, 18-Oct-87 00:46:26 EDT Article-I.D.: ism780c.7549 Posted: Sun Oct 18 00:46:26 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Oct-87 23:27:31 EDT References: <163@uport.UUCP> Reply-To: mikep@ism780c.UUCP (Michael A. Petonic) Followup-To: Sender Organization: Interactive Systems Corp., Santa Monica CA Lines: 93 Keywords: lies and propaganda Summary: *FLAMES*, real wizards read past this note. Xref: mnetor comp.unix.wizards:4978 comp.unix.xenix:986 In article <163@uport.UUCP> chuck@uport.UUCP (Chuck Hickey) writes: > > People's UNIX - > Now More Than Ever > > > Recently Microport received a few critical comments on the > net about our policies. These comments are appreciated and > have been used by us in shaping our new policys. In just > the last few weeks we have made so many improvements in our > products, and policys that I'd like to take the time here to > fill you all in. > > [ blatant plugs deleted for brevity ] > > Charles Hickey > President and Founder > Microport Systems, Inc. After sifting through about 2K of raves for Chuck Hickey, I wondered "Where's the beef." People have real problems that they posted on the net in hopes for a response from people who had encountered the problem and solved it. Now Chuck comes on with a blatant plug for his company. Note that this is one of the few times that I'm going to include a disclaimer at the bottom of my article. I feel that it's important to know that I am speaking as a normal hacker as opposed to one who works for INTERACTIVE Systems. All of these opinions are mine and not necessarily held by my boss nor his [ nor his ...]. If I get fired for this, it's worth it. I have to get this off of my chest. **** FLAME ON **** We don't read comp.unix.wizards in order to understand the organizational chart of MicroPort. We come for information. I try to keep out of it as much as possible, but this is too much. I also don't try to mention our products unless there's a need to. Now, on to some vehament flaming! I've seen articles around various trade magazines (ex, UNIX World) that were run by Microport. In one section they say (and I quote) : "System V/386...developed specifically for the 386 by AT&T, Intel and Microport . . ." I think the only thing that MicroPort put into that product is their drivers. In fact, some of the other engineers around here posted the article on the bulletin board for some laughs. What did I work on for the last X months? Graffiti? I was under the impression that the hacking that I was doing at INTERACTIVE was going into the "Official" port of 386 UNIX. Did someone lie to me? After all, it's pretty much common knowledge that INTERACTIVE Systems Corp. of Santa Monica did the work for the official INTEL 80386 Port of UNIX System V, release 3. To my understanding, it's the one that all others are based off of. If only the drivers are Microport's, then I think there should be a *note at the bottom of the ad. The ad gives the impression that INTEL payed bucks to Microport to port the Operating System. In short, it verges on blatant lies. **** FLAME OFF **** I don't dislike Microport. I can understand their situation, trying to make a name for themselves in the marketplace, etc. But by putting information in advertisements that may lead people into thinking the wrong thing is too far. Also, putting blatant plugs into the Net is something that is uncalled for. Have you noticed that I haven't said our product is better or anything? I can't make that decision, only the buyer can. Just because or product really is better, doesn't mean anthing (ouch :-). ^W Ooops, it seems that vi doesn't want to cooperate and my line remains. Oh well. Ahhh, that felt good. -MikeP Member of the Technical Staff 213-453-8649 x3187 INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation 2401 Colorado Blvd. Santa Monica, CA. 90404. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DISCLAIMER -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The views that I expressed in my violent flame were just mine. I'm just reading the net and havin' fun. No one put me up to it (what's that? My twenty bucks? Ok, I'll take it now.) and I can't guarentee that anyone else here agrees with it, but that's the chance I take.