the Microports

[Bill Kennedy]

It's good to see that articles 8 and 9 from mport.COM weren't in this thread.

In article <10 at mport.COM>, duc at mport.COM (Richard Ducoty) writes:
> rcd at ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn) writes:

[ Dick Dunn shows how R.Ducoty and B. Kennedy were exchanging grenades... ]
>
rduc>...I would hope that you would judge us on our actions and products,
rduc> not those of another company with a similar name.
> >...
dunn>ance of a connection, on your evil-twin company.  Just as friendly advice,
dunn>it's better to take the good with the bad; you can't expect to trade on
dunn>the name only until you find an unhappy Microport Systems customer, then
dunn>disavow any connection.  Wouldn't it make more sense to try to establish
dunn>yourselves as a successor-of-sorts, trying to take on what the old Micro-
dunn>port was aiming at technically, ...

There's the operative phrase, "aiming at technically"  That's worthy of pursuit.It's also appropriate to this newsgroup.  Alas!  I can't say the same for the
balance of this article, so please hit `n' now if you aren't interested.
> ==============================================
> 
rduc> You make some good points here, but I don't consider the old company an
rduc> 'evil twin'.  Perhaps I put too much space between the two Microports, 
rduc> hoping that Mr. Kennedy would disassociate us from his rancor toward the
rduc> old company.

I'm really confused here...  "not those of another company with a similar
name" sure sounds like trying to distance oneself from an 'evil twin'.  If
I'm still able to read written English, "disassociate us from his rancor
toward the old company." sounds like Dick Dunn called it pretty well.  What
escapes my comprehension is the naivete from Microport, Inc.  R. Ducoty says
(my words, not his) "We're the new guys, all brand spanking new; don't confuse
us with them old guys"  D. Dunn replies (not in his words) "Hi new guys,
welcome to the marketplace, here's the water temperature"; and R.Ducoty bitches
about that...  Let's just accept that I'm dense, sounds like a helpful hand
being bitten, but what do I know (see below)?

rduc> If you have ever been involved in the software business you must realize
rduc> that a few people inadvertently fall between the cracks...

dunn>Another bit of friendly advice:  It's not wise to address unknown people
dunn>with unknown connections in a condescending manner.   ...  Dick Dunn  

rduc>I have to take issue with you here.  I wasn't being condescending here,
rduc>and I don't appreciate it being cast in that light.  I am appreciative of
rduc>your advice, but please send the inflammatory comments via e-mail.

OK, now I'm insulted (nothing new for folks on the net :-).  D. Dunn is
dead nuts on target with "in a condescending manner" and R.Ducoty is off
chasing a fly ball or a butterfly.  To me, "If you have ever been involved
in the software business" sounds like, in this forum, "If you have ever
driven on an interstate highway".  I can't conceive of how (rewritten)
"If you've been anywhere near the subject matter of this newsgroup" could
be read as anything other than condescending.  Who, in this group, hasn't
"ever been involved in the software business"?

I guess I'm incredulous, R. Ducoty says (my quotes) "Hi, we're new here,
and we're great", I say "You're predecessor name stinks" and D. Dunn
extends an olive branch and gets flamed.  I sent "inflammatory contents
via e-mail" but they weren't dignified with a reply or an ack.  Gosh, maybe
those were articles 8 and 9 and I just don't get those groups.

Let's not forget that this all started with Wolf Paul asking whether or not
the current Microport incarnation would treat the predecessor Microport
customers with any kind of fairness...
-- 
Bill Kennedy  usenet      {att,cs.utexas.edu,pyramid!daver}!ssbn.wlk.com!bill
              internet    bill at ssbn.WLK.COM   or attmail!ssbn!bill