homemade computer for fun and experience...

From: Huw Davies <H.Davies_at_latrobe.edu.au>
Date: Thu Apr 8 01:38:40 1999

At 08:35 06/04/99 -0400, allisonp_at_world.std.com wrote:
>> On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:
>>
>> > I have never had a desire for DEC hardware, mainly because of my distaste
>> > (and disdain) for their application of technology, and of course for
their
>> > overemphasis on the bottom line, meaning THEIR bottom line. If you
read the
>> > fine print, their sales documents specifically deny that they claim their
>> > products work. argghhh! I'm GLAD they're gone. THEY were the reason
I had
>> > to have terminals around as long as I did.
>
>As someone that spent 10 years with DEC doing everthing possible to
>improve product and perception of service, I resent that! I remember far
>to many times bending over backward for customers to solve their problems
>and often flying all over the country on a moments notice. We werent
>perfect but, damm we tried.

Well as someone who has (had?) been a Digital/DEC customer for 25 years one
of the problems that DEC had was that until too late they weren't focused
on the bottom line, rather decent engineering. Anyone who has (for example)
taken a VAX-11/780 or VAX8800 to pieces will note that there are an awful
large number of mechanical bits that are engineered to last a 100 years!
I'm sure half the weight of an 11/780 is in bolts :-)

 Huw Davies | e-mail: Huw.Davies_at_latrobe.edu.au
 Information Technology Services | Phone: +61 3 9479 1550 Fax: +61 3 9479
1999
 La Trobe University | "If God had wanted soccer played in the
 Melbourne Australia 3083 | air, the sky would be painted green"
Received on Thu Apr 08 1999 - 01:38:40 BST