wnp@iiasa.AT (wolf paul) (10/23/90)
In article <4@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes:
) Microport's S5R4 and 3.2.2 both have online man pages
)
) Richard Ducoty
) Microport Inc
) 408 438-8649
So now there is a Microport 3.2.2 product, where is the upgrade offer
for users of the old Microport System V/386 product? Or a possible
S5R3 => S5R4 upgrade offer?
Are these going to be forthcoming, or will previous Microport owners
be left standing in the rain?
--
Wolf N. Paul, IIASA, A - 2361 Laxenburg, Austria, Europe
PHONE: +43-2236-71521-465 FAX: +43-2236-71313 UUCP: uunet!iiasa.at!wnp
INTERNET: wnp%iiasa.at@uunet.uu.net BITNET: tuvie!iiasa!wnp@awiuni01.BITNET
* * * * Kurt Waldheim for President (of Mars, of course!) * * * *cpcahil@virtech.uucp (Conor P. Cahill) (10/24/90)
In article <914@iiasa.UUCP> wnp%iiasa@relay.eu.net (wolf paul) writes: >So now there is a Microport 3.2.2 product, where is the upgrade offer >for users of the old Microport System V/386 product? Or a possible >S5R3 => S5R4 upgrade offer? Microport S5R3 to S5R4 upgrade price is 40% off regular price. Regular price is $1,500 for 2 user system. $2,000 for unlimited user system. -- Conor P. Cahill (703)430-9247 Virtual Technologies, Inc., uunet!virtech!cpcahil 46030 Manekin Plaza, Suite 160 Sterling, VA 22170
duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) (10/26/90)
wolf paul writes: >Richard Ducoty writes: >) Microport's S5R4 and 3.2.2 both have online man pages >) >) Richard Ducoty >) Microport Inc >) 408 438-8649 >So now there is a Microport 3.2.2 product, where is the upgrade offer >for users of the old Microport System V/386 product? Or a possible >S5R3 => S5R4 upgrade offer? ==================================== Have you contacted Microport about this? because there is an upgrade path for 3.0 -> 3.2.2/4.0 Here is part of upcoming letter concerning our upgrade policy: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Microport supports four AT&T UNIX System V platforms for Intel processors: Release 2, Release 3, Release 3.2, Release 4. We are pleased to offer discounts to Microport users who wish to exchange one release for another. Discounts apply only to the modules which are presented for exchange -- one Runtime for another Runtime, one Complete for another Complete. The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- counted price. The exchange program does not apply to Developers Release Programs or Extended Support Agreements. However, a pro rata credit for the balance of Extended Support still in force on the trade-in can be applied to the purchase of Extended Support for the new release. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PS. Prices are subject to change without notice Richard Microport Inc 30 Janis Way Suite duc@mport.com Scotts Valley, CA 95066 uunet!mport!com 408 438-8649
jtc@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca (J.T. Conklin) (10/27/90)
In article <6@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes: >The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount >is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying >that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and >all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- >counted price. Requiring a letter certifying that the existing operating system _will be_ removed upon installation of 4.0 would be more appropriate. Many businesses can not afford the luxury of shutting their computer system down for the time necessary for the new release to be delivered. --jtc -- J.T. Conklin UniFax Communications Inc. ...!{uunet,ubc-cs}!van-bc!jtc, jtc@wimsey.bc.ca
wnp@iiasa.AT (wolf paul) (10/27/90)
In article <6@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes: >The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount >is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying >that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and >all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- >counted price. That sounds good. Now can we have some prices? If you can't post them coz some would scream "Advertising!" (although it should be allowed in reply to a specific question!?), would you please mail me a current list of prices for all Microport products? Then maybe I can post it, not as advertising, but as information for those like myself who are stuck with an older Microport product. Thanks! -- Wolf N. Paul, UNIX SysAdmin, IIASA, A - 2361 Laxenburg, Austria, Europe PHONE: +43-2236-71521-465 FAX: +43-2236-71313 UUCP: uunet!iiasa!wnp INTERNET: wnp%iiasa@relay.eu.net BITNET: tuvie!iiasa!wnp@awiuni01.BITNET
rcd@ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn) (10/28/90)
duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes about an upcoming letter for Microport upgrade offers: > The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount > is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying > that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and > all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- > counted price. Richard, I hope you'll suggest to the people about to put out that letter that no reasonable person is going to agree to that sort of upgrade condition! This isn't quite like trading in a car... Think from the user's viewpoint: I'm going to send them my OS floppies, back up only my files, get rid of the system on my disk, and (therefore) *shut my machine down* and sit quietly until the upgrade arrives. At that point I get to install the upgrade (hoping it works), bring up the new system, restore my files, and hope that there are no bugs which stop me from doing my work, 'cause if there are, I can't back out. Right. -- Dick Dunn rcd@ico.isc.com -or- ico!rcd Boulder, CO (303)449-2870 ...Never offend with style when you can offend with substance.
duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) (10/30/90)
jtc@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca (J.T. Conklin) writes: >In article <6@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes: >>The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount >>is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying >>that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and >>all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- >>counted price. >Requiring a letter certifying that the existing operating system _will >be_ removed upon installation of 4.0 would be more appropriate. Many >businesses can not afford the luxury of shutting their computer system >down for the time necessary for the new release to be delivered. ================ Speaking for myself, I'ld say that Microport isn't going to hire a private investigator to check up on these installations during the switch. We wouldn't want to bring anybodys business to a grinding halt. Again, these are my thoughts and opinions. Richard Ducoty Microport Inc. duc@mport.com root@mport.com
cpcahil@virtech.uucp (Conor P. Cahill) (10/30/90)
In article <7@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes: >Speaking for myself, I'ld say that Microport isn't going to hire a private >investigator to check up on these installations during the switch. We >wouldn't want to bring anybodys business to a grinding halt. Again, >these are my thoughts and opinions. A. on this kind of a matter (especially since you appear to be a spokesperson for microport) you shouldn't say something like that. B. A statement like that says that "microport knows it is asking you to do something unreasonable and it knows that you probably won't do what they ask, but they still want you to sign a statement saying that you will do it". This is a bunch of BS. Either require that they unload the software and get any of your old customers really pissed off, or just ask for a statment that the new version of the software will be used to replace an old version and the old version will not be running on any system following the upgrade. GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT BEFORE YOU MAKE ANOTHER POSTING ABOUT IT. IT IS YOUR COMPANY. TALK TO THE POWERS THAT BE. -- Conor P. Cahill (703)430-9247 Virtual Technologies, Inc., uunet!virtech!cpcahil 46030 Manekin Plaza, Suite 160 Sterling, VA 22170
nvk@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Norman Kohn) (10/31/90)
In article <6@mport.UUCP> duc@mport.UUCP (Richard Ducoty) writes: >The Runtime trade-in discount is 25%. The Complete System trade-in discount >is 40%. We must receive the original system diskettes and a letter certiying >that the original system installation has been removed from the hard drive and >all backup copies destroyed before we can ship the new release at the dis- >counted price. And now, for those of us who sampled others' wares while microport was out of circulation and found them faster, if not better: has microport's current offering been benchmarked against ISC's FFS, etc? Perhaps I missed the benchmarks (could someone mail them please?). At least 3.0e had ksh... -- Norman Kohn | ...ddsw1!nvk Chicago, Il. | days/ans svc: (312) 650-6840 | eves: (312) 373-0564
richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) (10/31/90)
>>Requiring a letter certifying that the existing operating system _will >>be_ removed upon installation of 4.0 would be more appropriate. Many >>businesses can not afford the luxury of shutting their computer system >>down for the time necessary for the new release to be delivered. > ================ >Speaking for myself, I'ld say that Microport isn't going to hire a private >investigator to check up on these installations during the switch. We >wouldn't want to bring anybodys business to a grinding halt. Again, >these are my thoughts and opinions. > > >Richard Ducoty >Microport Inc. >duc@mport.com >root@mport.com It sure looks to me like Microport isn't real serious about the upgrade deal. The discount is pretty poor, and the required catch-22/legal mess shows a lack of interest, at least. Nobody with a legal department is going to be able to meet their terms. -- Richard Foulk richard@pegasus.com
larry@nstar.uucp (Larry Snyder) (11/02/90)
richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) writes: >It sure looks to me like Microport isn't real serious about the upgrade >deal. The discount is pretty poor, and the required catch-22/legal mess >shows a lack of interest, at least. that's exactly what I thought - 40% is the usual discount (well, maybe 30-35% from most vendors).. considering Microports history of having money problems - I would except them to take more of a ESIX approach -- Larry Snyder, Northern Star Communications, Notre Dame, IN USA {larry@nstar, uunet!sco!romed!nstar!larry, nstar%larry@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu} backbone usenet newsfeeds available Public Access Unix Site (219) 289-0282 (5 high speed lines)
duc@mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) (11/03/90)
richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) writes: >>>Requiring a letter certifying that the existing operating system _will >>>be_ removed upon installation of 4.0 would be more appropriate. Many >>>businesses can not afford the luxury of shutting their computer system >>>down for the time necessary for the new release to be delivered. . . . >>>Richard Ducoty . . . . . . . . . . . >It sure looks to me like Microport isn't real serious about the upgrade >deal. The discount is pretty poor, and the required catch-22/legal mess >shows a lack of interest, at least. =========================================== It looks like I have made a LARGE mistake. The inital statement I made about having to remove/destroy your present Microport operating system before getting the upgrade was WRONG. I'm very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused anybody. You will NOT have to remove your present system before receiving the upgrade. You only need to send Microport the original disk set for the upgrade! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions about the upgrade, please phone us at (800) FOR-UNIX / (800) 367-8649 / (408) 438-8649 between 7am - 5pm PST As for Microport not being serious - we are serious about this upgrade. What are the comparable upgrade offers from the other Unix houses? Richard Ducoty \\\\\ Richard Ducoty (*)(*) duc@mport.COM Microport Inc. \ uunet!mport!duc voice=> (408) 438-8649 <-~ fax=> (408) 438-7560
wnp@iiasa.AT (wolf paul) (11/04/90)
In article <2@mport.COM> duc@mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) writes: )As for Microport not being serious - we are serious about this upgrade. )What are the comparable upgrade offers from the other Unix houses? In article <49361@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com> info@dell.UU.NET (Dell Computer Corp) writes: )Dell will also )offer an upgrade kit to allow users of Dell UNIX System V Release )3.2 to upgrade to Dell UNIX SVR4. The upgrade kit is priced at )$399 and will also be available from Dell in late November. Does that answer your question part way? Now there is a decent upgrade offer. I am sorry I did not start out with Dell's UNIX. -- Wolf N. Paul, UNIX SysAdmin, IIASA, A - 2361 Laxenburg, Austria, Europe PHONE: +43-2236-71521-465 FAX: +43-2236-71313 UUCP: uunet!iiasa!wnp INTERNET: wnp%iiasa@relay.eu.net BITNET: tuvie!iiasa!wnp@awiuni01.BITNET
richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) (11/06/90)
> >As for Microport not being serious - we are serious about this upgrade. >What are the comparable upgrade offers from the other Unix houses? > > > Richard Ducoty Ten or 20 percent of list kinda rings a bell, as an upgrade price (not a discount). An upgrade should not be a "discount", but that's what yours sure looks like, and indeed that's what you called it. If you paid $1000 for your original package then $100 seems reasonable for the upgrade. Now if AT&T tacks on, say, $100 for the new license then add that on. That makes it more like 20% in this example (or 80% discount in your terms). Remember this is based on vulgar old list price. This is closer to what I've seen charged for upgrades of other Unix ports (and other software packages in general). I don't think anyone besides Microport has stated an upgrade policy for R4. So Microport is setting new standards for gouging the customer. -- Richard Foulk richard@pegasus.com
john@karnak.cactus.org (John B. Meaders Jr.) (11/06/90)
In article <931@iiasa.UUCP> wnp%iiasa@relay.eu.net (wolf paul) writes: >In article <49361@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com> info@dell.UU.NET (Dell Computer Corp) writes: >)Dell will also >)offer an upgrade kit to allow users of Dell UNIX System V Release >)3.2 to upgrade to Dell UNIX SVR4. The upgrade kit is priced at >)$399 and will also be available from Dell in late November. Has anyone heard how the Esix upgrade policy will work? -- 2LT John B. Meaders, Jr. 510 Manchester Ct., Hopewell, VA 23860 Voice: 804-458-2983 Net: john@karnak.cactus.org or john@karnak.sigma.com Uucp: ...!{sequoia,letni,ditka}!karnak!john "Cowabunga dude" - TMNT Disclaimer: These are my opinions, not those of DA or DOD.
bill@ssbn.WLK.COM (Bill Kennedy) (11/06/90)
In article <931@iiasa.UUCP> wnp%iiasa@relay.eu.net (wolf paul) writes: >In article <2@mport.COM> duc@mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) writes: [ Ducoty declares that Microport is serious about upgrades to Vr4 ] >In article <49361@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com> info@dell.UU.NET (Dell Computer Corp) writes: [ Dell claims and shows they're serious about upgrades to Vr4 ] [ Then Wolf Paul says ] >Does that answer your question part way? Now there is a decent >upgrade offer. I am sorry I did not start out with Dell's UNIX. Heck guy, I told you not to trust Microport when you bought it from me... Seriously, here's the sad part. Wolf is sitting there in Laxenburg, Austria and he's getting the standard Microport fan dance. It costs his site out the pores to email or post, not to mention phone. So what does he get in response to a bona-fide m'aidez? Standard Microport nah-nah-noo-noo. Get a life Microport! His phone number and address is in his .signature, he wants to spend some money! I'm absolutely certain that there's someone at Microport willing to take Wolf's money, is there anyone at Microport willing to deliver what Wolf wants to buy? Fairness: I sold Wolf his V/386 3.0e, but it was registerable as an original Microport sale. If you haven't noticed, I have few polite words for Microport. -- Bill Kennedy usenet {att,cs.utexas.edu,pyramid!daver}!ssbn.wlk.com!bill internet bill@ssbn.WLK.COM or attmail!ssbn!bill
src@scuzzy.in-berlin.de (Heiko Blume) (11/07/90)
wnp@iiasa.AT (wolf paul) writes: >)Dell will also >)offer an upgrade kit to allow users of Dell UNIX System V Release >)3.2 to upgrade to Dell UNIX SVR4. The upgrade kit is priced at >)$399 and will also be available from Dell in late November. >Now there is a decent upgrade offer. I am sorry I did not start out with Dell's >UNIX. what is "DELL UNIX SVR4"? the runtime system? or does it include the development system, tcp/ip, nfs, etc? in the latter case it would be a real cheap upgrade! -- Heiko Blume c/o Diakite blume@scuzzy.in-berlin.de FAX (+49 30) 882 50 65 Kottbusser Damm 28 blume@scuzzy.mbx.sub.org VOICE (+49 30) 691 88 93 D-1000 Berlin 61 blume@netmbx.de TELEX 184174 intro d scuzzy Any ACU,f 38400 6919520 ogin:--ogin: nuucp ssword: nuucp [HST,V.42bis]
duc@mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) (11/09/90)
Bill - From your recent posts and others, it is obvious you have a grudge against Microport Systems. We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. I would hope that you would judge us on our actions and products, not those of another company with a similar name. If you have ever been involved in the software business you must realize that a few people inadvertently fall between the cracks. If this has happened to you, I'm sorry. I'ld be interested in knowing why you have such an animosity towards us. Richard Ducoty Richard Ducoty (*)(*) duc@mport.COM Microport Inc. \ uunet!mport!duc voice=> (408) 438-8649 < fax=> (408) 438-7560
bill@ssbn.WLK.COM (Bill Kennedy) (11/10/90)
As the summary suggests, I answered this article by email and I hadn't planned to post my reply. My reasons for not posting were that what I had to say to Richard Ducoty has little to do with the net at large. After I received several pieces of email asking what my response would be I concluded that what I have to say is of some interest to the net at large. Realize that much of what I have to say is to Microport, Inc. and Richard Ducoty. On the other hand, I invite and solicit comments from others who might confirm/deny/augment/destroy those remarks. I think that Microport, Inc. and the net would like to know. In article <5@mport.COM>, duc@mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) writes: > Bill - > > From your recent posts and others, it is obvious you have a grudge against > Microport Systems. We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This > is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. I would hope that > you would judge us on our actions and products, not those of another company > with a similar name. Let's review the bidding just briefly. Wolf Paul, in Austria, has been needling a bit to see if there is any hope for fair treatment of Microport Systems' customers by Microport, Inc. Richard Ducoty, at Microport, Inc., has been telling us how great Microport, Inc. is and what good deals they have to offer on System Vr4. I have been grumbling and growling that Microport, Inc. sounds so much like Microport Systems that we should all exercise considerable caution before we accept them as the vendor capable of curing everything from the crucifixion of Christ to the common cold. I think that's a fair synopsis, I invite and welcome comments that improve its accuracy. Further, I'll concede that I bear a considerable grudge against Microport Systems, I think I said "I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire". If I didn't, I just did. I have not, however, confused Microport Systems (a firm for which the realities of the marketplace worked like our classes in school said they would) with Microport, Inc. (a firm who only bears a resemblance by using the same logo and omitting "Systems" from their name). Nor have I overlooked that they are an "entirely new company; new people, new site, etc." just because they have new personnel, new articles of incorporation, and new quarters in Scotts Valley, CA, using the same logo and differing from the other firm's legal name for lack of Systems\0. It is, as Richard Ducoty says, "a similar name". But I'm not confused. > If you have ever been involved in the software business you must realize that > a few people inadvertently fall between the cracks. If this has happened > to you, I'm sorry. I'ld be interested in knowing why you have such an > animosity towards us. I bear no grudge for Microport, Inc. (recall I harbor considerable animosity for the predecessor company whose intellectual property you sell). Yes, I was among "a few people inadvertantly" who fell through the cracks. There's a difference here and anyone still reading by now will just have to endure it. I suggest, and my posted articles should confirm, caution with any vendor who appears with a spokescreature who promises the panacea. As I said in email, I think it was a grievious error to look so much like Microport Systems when there were such deep seated and (deserved) hard feelings for that firm. It's worrisome to me that the look and feel of Microport, Inc. so closely resembles Microport Systems. I think that the collective wisdom of the net should be reminded of that since it's so difficult to tell (by your name, logo, advertising, and location) that you're different from your predecessor with "a similar name". I think that the net should wait until they hear glowing reviews about how great Microport, Inc. is; they should wait until those reviews come from someone other than Richard Ducoty. I wasn't going to post, but I got some industrial strength email asking me to answer and clarify. In clarification, I invite net.attention to the similarities (other than the name) between Microport Systems, Inc. and Microport, Inc. It's Jesus, germs, and Santa Claus all over again, I've been warned all my life about each of them but I've not seen a one of them. If Microport, Inc. is different, then _*S H O W*_ us. Don't promise or pontificate, _*D E L I V E R*_. Don't whine at me about some goofy misunderstanding or labeling problem, just produce, the net will follow. Don't sit there on the edge of the bed telling me how great this is going to be, jump in and show us all. I'd sure like to see Microport back flying different colors, but today your colors look awfully familiar... I was `dry fucked' by Microport Systems, I didn't like it, I still don't. I've been `fucked with foreplay' by Interactive and AT&T, so I don't feel virginal. If anyone (not on the payroll of Microport, Inc.) thinks I've landed too hard on Mr. Ducoty, blaze away. If anyone (not on the payroll of Microport, Inc.) has anything good to say, cheer away. I think that the net is smart enough to detect a familiar aroma. If Microport, Inc. can live down the name they've chosen and win the world with reliability/performance/service, they'll have my vote and my money. In the mean time, at this site, they share the contempt I feel for their " a similar name" predecessor. -- Bill Kennedy usenet {att,cs.utexas.edu,pyramid!daver}!ssbn.wlk.com!bill internet bill@ssbn.WLK.COM or attmail!ssbn!bill
friedl@mtndew.Tustin.CA.US (Stephen Friedl) (11/11/90)
Richard Ducoty writes: > We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This > is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. Didn't I see a recent ad saying "We're back" ? -- Stephen J. Friedl, KA8CMY / I speak for me only / Tustin, CA / 3B2-kind-of-guy +1 714 544 6561 / friedl@mtndew.Tustin.CA.US / {uunet,attmail}!mtndew!friedl Coming soon to a cable system near you: The Time-of-day Channel
bill@ssbn.WLK.COM (Bill Kennedy) (11/11/90)
friedl@mtndew.Tustin.CA.US (Stephen Friedl) writes: }Richard Ducoty writes: } }> We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This }> is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. } }Didn't I see a recent ad saying "We're back" ? No, no, no Steve, you're confusing them with Poltergeist II... -- Bill Kennedy usenet {att,cs.utexas.edu,pyramid!daver}!ssbn.wlk.com!bill internet bill@ssbn.WLK.COM or attmail!ssbn!bill
duc@grumbly.COM (Richard Ducoty) (11/12/90)
In article <568@mtndew.Tustin.CA.US> friedl@mtndew.Tustin.CA.US (Stephen Friedl) writes: >Richard Ducoty writes: > >> We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This >> is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. > >Didn't I see a recent ad saying "We're back" ? ============== This is the United Capitalistic States of America not Heaven. Richard Ducoty \\\ - - Richard Ducoty ..uunet!grumbly!duc _] Capitola, California duc@grumbly.com
richard@pegasus.com (Richard Foulk) (11/12/90)
>>> We are not Microport Systems - we're Microport Inc. This >>> is an entirely new company; new people, new site, etc. >> >>Didn't I see a recent ad saying "We're back" ? > >============== > >This is the United Capitalistic States of America not Heaven. > >Richard Ducoty > Microport, it's getting late. Do you know where your children are?