Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-sdd!hp-pcd!hpcvlx!tay
From: tay@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Mike Taylor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp
Subject: Re: hp-ux 7.0 recall?
Message-ID: <101950091@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com>
Date: 2 Feb 90 01:59:23 GMT
References: <80@slovax.WA.COM>
Organization: Planet X
Lines: 45

>Also, it appears that UIMX has been factory recalled.
>I tried to obtain it earlier, but found that at the end
>of the primary beta-test, it was going back to the factory.
>If the stuff is truly broke (UIMX was), then I don't want it till
>it's right.  On the other hand, how does it happen that something
>can be announced and then recalled. 

Although UIMX has been shown at several trade shows, it has never been 
formally announced nor has it been added to the HP's Corperate Price List.

UIMX is still in development and should be available sometime in the 
second half of 1990.  Anything else you have been told is a rumor.

>I think that this points
>to a more fundamental problem. One is internal management of releases.
>The other is lack of widespread beta-testing. Currently, each
>division is responsible for obtaining/utilizing beta sites.
>I believe that this really means that betas are ad-hoc.
>I think a more formal and enlarged program would reduce incidents
>like the above. 

With respect to your comments on the UIMX beta-testing, we are not even to
that stage yet.  We had an early customer program where we received development
feedback, but we have not yet started formal beta testing.  Beta testing
is meant to be conducted during the last phase of the project, after the
formal Q & A is completed and after the last release before customer shipments.

I would tend to say that the large number of early customer sites
we have for UIMX makes us particularly vulnerable to the rumor mill that
generates customer complaints and misconceptions. 

>I have never been approached by anyone about
>being a beta site, even though my group regularly calls
>in significant problems with products to Atlanta support.

If you feel strongly about being a beta site, email me and I will see what
we can do when the appropriate time comes.

>                                My personal opinion (as always)
>                                John...

Mike Taylor
UIMX Team
ITO Technical Support
Hewlett-Packard