Conference 7.286::digital

    I, for one, find it difficult to understand how a letter like this,
    which not only displays a loss of temper (and grammar), but calls
    direct attention to Digital's layoffs and past problems with Unix
    strategies, does any good whatsoever to Digital's image.

    The disclaimer at the beginning will be largely ignored; people won't
    read it as an official response, but they will read it as a Digital
    response, should the letter be published.

    I agree the letter shows too much temper. I would hope our products
    and actions would speak in the market place. This letter I hope is not
    published...

Great letter!!!! 

    I think the letter in .0 is uncalled for.I know for the fact that many PR
    people in different groups are trying to establish good relationships
    with the press and such emotional outbursts are not going to help them
    in buliding the relationship.
    
     
     

    And what, pray tell, is the purpose of "Letters To The Editor" sections
    in publications if not to receive feedback on the content and quality
    of their articles and ads.  They are soliciting opinions.
    
    

    
    If asked if I want the letter published I'll decline.
    
    It is about time that someone got emotional about defending this 
    company.  Snotty comments about my grammar notwithstanding.
    
    -Ed
    

>    It is about time that someone got emotional about defending this 
>    company.  Snotty comments about my grammar notwithstanding.

If your intent was to get something off your chest then I imagine you 
achieved this goal.  However, I expect that there was little more positive
accomplished than this.  In fact, I would venture to guess it (perhaps)
reinforced an already negative attitude the author apparently holds 
toward Digital Equipment Corporation, which you represent as an employee 
(even though you said you were not speaking on behalf of the company).

Another outcome of this may be within your own management, depending on
if they catch wind of what you did and how tolerant they are of it.  I
speak from experience when I tell you that bypassing Digital's PR
department when communicating with the press can ruffle some people's
feathers.

In closing, I will comment that emotion can, and often does, become a 
barrier in reaching a solution in -any- environment, be it work, home,
love, etc...

Peace  :-)

-Andy

    re: .6
    
    Ah, don't let those croutons bother about your grammar, Ed.  Why, I get
    nasty comments about my grammar all the time.  I never let it bother
    me.  Heck, my grammar is old and out-dated, but I love her all the
    same!
    
    Steve (who tries to call his grammar every Sunday afternoon!)

    
    I can assure you and my management that my Father-in-law the attourney
    will be very happy to advise me on how to spend my winnings from the
    wrongful termination suit I'll file.
    
    Yes I could have cooled by head a bit, but the topic of the article was
    "Not Sucking Up" I certainly was not about to suck up to someone who
    made a nasty and unwarranted attack in the course of his discussion.
    
    -Ed
    

                    My lawyer's bigger than your lawyer?

                                Sheese!

    re: .7
    
    Andy,
    
    I don't believe that the company intends to prohibit (or at the least
    dissuade) employees from writing letters to the editor. Now, if .0 was
    sending a product announcement or answering questions about the
    company,  then that's a different story.
    
    The letter was a tad stronger (I wouldn't have used the work 'jerk') than
    I would write, but I think it shows gumption and at least a defensive
    attitude about our company. You should see how the Boston Globe writes
    articles about us - you'd think they all used to work for IBM or Data
    General!
    
    FWIW.

At the risk of ratholing this topic:

>    I can assure you and my management that my Father-in-law the attourney
>    will be very happy to advise me on how to spend my winnings from the
>    wrongful termination suit I'll file.

Jumping to conclusions, aren't you?  All I did was point out that, in the
past, management has been known to frown upon corresponding with the press
if not going thru PR.  No judgements being made; no suggestions that you
may be terminated -- just sage advice.  Do with it as you will.

-Andy

    
        Well, sometimes the best letters are the ones you don't send, 
        or at least the ones let sit for a day or two while you calm 
        down, and then rewrite.  
    
    
        You have to ask what the purpose of the letter was, and how 
        successful it was in achieving it:
    
            If it was to blow off steam and demonstrate anger as an 
            individual, then it was highly successful;
    
            If it was to convince the editor that he was a "jerk", and 
            not to act that way in the future, then I suspect it was not 
            successful at all;
    
            If it was put our Digital in a good light, by dignified 
            response and eloquent expression, then it failed terribly.  
    
    
    
        Maybe the "angry young man" approach works for an individual, 
        but it doesn't for a representative of the company, disclaimers 
        notwithstanding.
    
        Next time, just hold onto the letter a day or two, and get a 
        little advice from calmer heads.  They may even help shape it 
        into something that achieves the purpose.
    

>>> If it was to blow off steam and demonstrate anger as an 
>>> individual, then it was highly successful;
    
>>> If it was to convince the editor that he was a "jerk", and 
>>> not to act that way in the future, then I suspect it was not 
>>> successful at all;
    
>>> If it was put our Digital in a good light, by dignified 
>>> response and eloquent expression, then it failed terribly.  
    
If it was to let the author know that even though Digital is an 
easy mark these days, it's not okay to take cheap shots...

If it was to let the author know that what they say has an affect 
on Digital employees and the market's perceptions of us...

If it was to let the author know that we aren't going to just sit 
here and take their crap anymore...

Then GOOD FOR YOU!  

(Grammar, anger, etc. not withstanding ;-))

Rick C

    
    Re: .0
    
    As a subscriber and reader to UNIX World you certainly have the right
    to respond as an individual to the editor when you feel the readership
    is getting a dis-service.  However, please consider the following:
    
    - If your intention was to professionally address the editor your
      angry tone has placed you on the same level as the editor
    - I do not think it is appropriate that any reference was made to your
      Digital, and our past history in UNIX
    - Your comments about Bob Palmer from an internal perspective are
      totally out of line
    - Your letter will no positive impact on future editorial slights that
      may be forthcoming from the editor in the line of your fire
    
    In the future you might consider AIMing first, then fire!
    
    Rgds,
    
    John Gelineau
    Industry Sales Specialist

    Shall we lay down and die.
    
    I don't get it.  We have tried to build good relationships with
    various opinion makers such as Gartner Group, assorted trade magazines,
    and user groups and we still get hammered.
    
    Maybe IT IS TIME to employ the tactic that was used in the 92
    Presidential election.  I call it the REACT AND ATTACK strategy.
    Every time the Bush campaign leveled a charge at Clinton the
    Clinton supporters answered it immediately and aggressively.
    Guess what?  It worked!  
    
    Since I started selling for Digital I have been instructed to
    sell POSITIVELY and NOT NEGATIVELY.  From what I have experienced
    our competitors don't seem to have the same restraints.  They
    will do whatever it takes to win.  Personally, I prefer the
    "kinder and gentler" approach.  However, have of the people I
    work with have been TSFO'd as we continue to take it on the chin.
    
    Our current approach is NOT WORKING.  
    
    EXIT Question:  How should Digital sell?
    

    Re. 16
    
            We ALL need to sell as if our livelyhoods depend on it!
    
            I agree that the competition is using every trick in the book,
            and I also suggest that to be competitive we will also have to
            use those tricks; however HONESTY and INTEGRITY must prevail
            in all we do, especially in sales.
    
    2cents worth              
    

    I was forwarded the letter in .0 by a co-worker.  I went and got a copy
    of the article, and read it, before answering in this notes file.
    
    I might point out that the entry in question was actually a direct
    quote taken from Andrew Binstock, who was the editor of UNIX Review,
    and not something which David Diamond made up himself.  Andrew was
    the person who was saying that "Dave is much more fun to be around
    than DEC-or even Robert Palmer."
    
    I do not expect much in reaction to your letter.  At most he will
    publish it and point out what I have pointed out.  But I do agree with
    most of the above letters that you over-reacted, and your comments will
    hurt Digital and Mr. Palmer more than they will help.
    
    As to "winning over the analysts" in .16, we have made remarkable
    progress with the release of V2.0 of DEC OSF/1, and with the effort
    made at UNIFORUM.  You will start to see some very positive statements
    coming out of Gartner Group, IDC, and others in the next couple of
    months.  I have seen the pre-releases of these reports, and they
    look good.
    
    From time to time you will find analysts and press with an attitude
    against Digital.  But it has been my experience that you turn them
    around with sweetener instead of acid.