[Info-vax] "HP started then spiked HP-UX on x86 project"

[David Froble]

Paul Sture wrote:
> On Wed, 23 May 2012 17:41:51 -0700, Neil Rieck wrote:
> 
>> If I were HP, I'd have the skunk-works in India working on an x86 port
>> right now.

If I were HP, I'd see about forming a special task unit with a core of the people still 
around that performed the Itanic port.

> Some or many, but not all VAX and Alpha customers are catered for by the 
> emulators available.  But what will happen to those using Itanium?  Given 
> the complexity of the beast, is an emulator even feasible?
> 
> Or do Itanium customers simply buy in extra systems while they are still 
> available, and build up a suitable spares inventory? (looking long term 
> here - see what has happened in the VAX and Alpha markets)

Now there is some history that tells a story.  No matter how much "extra" inventory built 
to supply "future" needs, it sold out ahead of schedule, and the demand was higher than 
anticipated.  TWICE!

It has been pointed out to me that HP's BCS revenue is heading in the wrong direction, and 
since VMS is not broken out separately, it perhaps is doing worse than the rest of the 
division.  I'm thinking that it could also be doing better, and HP-UX is dragging things 
down.  Only HP could answer that question, and perhaps they have reasons to not want the 
answer known.

Regardless, if things look bleak, customers will act accordingly.  Self full-filling 
prophesy.  If HP wants to recover, they had better start showing some things to give 
customers a reason to have good expectations.