Conference 7.286::digital

    Tell me about it... I've been seeing positive signs lately too...
    
    I just saw some promo copy for a project my group is working on, and I
    was absolutely blown away!  A couple years back I would have said that
    this company couldn't market its way out of a paper bag, and since then
    I figured all the changes in the marketing functions were mere window
    dressing.  Well, I was wrong... SOMETHING happened!  I'm not sure what,
    but whatever it is, they should keep it up!
    
    The recent SAVE announcement was the icing on the cake 8-)
    
    --jim
    

    I agree things are looking up for the first time in 5 years, 
    we deserve it.

>2) Digital is hiring again.  We are finally out of the suicidal mind-set which
>   states that we can layoff our way to profit. The SLT has realized that
>   sometimes we really do need some people around to do the work, and is
>   doing things to make sure that those people are in place.

    A moment of silence for our departed collegues...
    
    We lost a lot of good people we shouldn't have.
    
    I am encouraged by recent signs too, but bitter about the mistakes.
    
    I just hope those responsible are suitably rewarded.
    
    	Dave

    
    YES, YES, YES!
    
    A couple of +Qtrs, and things start looking up.
    
    I must admit, I've gotten tired of the BOObirds, and had a nice chuckle
    when the Q3 results were positive, despite dire predictions.  But, we
    need to remember that the BOObirds are venting their frustration, and
    thus showing their real concern for Digital (OK and yes our jobs). 
    Lets face it, after last years Q3 how many of us thought their would
    even be a next year's Q3, much less a profitable one?
    
    Its time to move on.
    
    Mike M.

    
    Nice base note, Ken.
    
    Feeling less like a survivor and more like a contributor every day.
    
    
    		the Greyhawk

    
    
    Me too.  I need to see one more quarter in the black however to be
    convinced.  My attitude is turning around.  Something that I decided 
    to do on my own a few weeks ago.  Got tired of being miserable.
    
    
    
    Mike

    ....sob...sob....oh come on yer making me blush with this goo!!!!
    
    carry on
    
    norNET
    

    Amen! It's nice to see that the light at the end of the tunnel is
    actually daylight and not just a train trying to run us down. 
    
    Today's DVN only served to add to the momentum. It's not only nice to get 
    the impression that the SLC DOES HAVE A CLUE; but to see a relatively open
    attitude about sharing. I got the  sense of "we're all in this together and
    can all be treated like responsible adults" and taken into the
    confidence of the plans for the company.
    
    As a watcher of many of the trade rags that would apply, I hope soon to
    see more public affirmation of our own internal attitude that we've turned 
    the corner. We can still use all the good press that we can get. The
    climb back to the top is still a long, hard fight; but at least we're
    header in the right direction, now.
    
        -OFWAMI-

    Ken,
    
    Customer mindshare is a terrible thing to loose and we wont win it back
    without showing our customers that we deserve their business. The
    improving internal attitude you speak of is a critical step along a
    long road. Customers like to feel good about who they buy from.
    
    Bill
    

    RE: Ken Moreau's base note
    
    
    Ken,
    
    I really appreciate your comments and the attitude they reflect.  Our
    decision to equip our sales professionals with the top of the line
    HiNote Ultra was consistent with our belief that our hard-working sales
    professionals deserve the best tools we can afford.  The 401(k) match
    to the SAVE Plan was driven by the motive you reflected.
    
    Regards,
    
    Bob

    Pardon me while I faint.....  
    
    Now I know that things are looking up.
    
    				Steve

RE: -.10

 Bob,

 Your reply here will do more for the employees of this company, and 
 for Digital as a company, than you can possibly imagine.  Thanks.

- Jim B.

    I enjoyed .0, but .10 has put a smile 5 miles across my face.  Is that
    really Bob Palmer, our CEO?  If so, Thanks Bob for not only reading,
    but taking time to respond.  This means more than any mail message
    could ever mean...
    
    Jim Morton

    (Sound of screeching brakes on the InfoBahn!)  Whoa, Nelly!  Haven't
    paid a bit of attention to this string itself...until .10.
    
    Talk about the ultimate "Yes, we hear you"!  Morton said it for me,
    too!
    
    								Tex

    ...and Bob gets all 100% of my Communicating with the Troops brownie
    points for this week. We don't know yet if VPs read this Digital's
    lifeblood notes file but at least we know now that the CEO does :-)

This really is momentous, assuming we're not being had. It really made
my day, too. Perhaps if we can try more to accentuate the positive
(because there really is a lot of it), we can foster more
participation like this.

Pete

    Yea,
    
    Its about time there was something positive in this notes file. I agree
    1110% with all previous responders. I just got back from the second
    change forum, and I see a lot of positive attitudes being displayed.
    Also very happy to the the CEO would read, and respond to this. I hope
    it is infectous, and we see our vision of the future turn to reality
    sooner than expected. I've been with digital almost 24 years, and have
    enjoyed the work here immensely. Now lets have some FUN, and get this
    Company back where it belongs. 
    
    We are the best...
    
    Conrad
    

8) There is growing evidence that the senior management of this company is
   committed to open two-way communication at all levels.

Bob, I don't think you comprehend how important your note is and will be.
The idea that the CEO is open to listening to the many valid and substantive
concerns raised in this notes file (as well as wading through the dross which
is inevitable), and then takes the time to respond, is stunning.

You have done more to raise the morale of many by that note, than by any 
number of DVNs and one-way mail communications.  Thank you.

-- Ken Moreau

re .10

I did a couple of double takes as well; I started smiling after I
found only 1 Bob Palmer in ELF, and further found that PONDB:: is
located at MSO...

/harley

    re: this string
    
    Ken, nice note.  It is refreshing to hear something positive.  At work
    today I tried my darndest to be the first to tell *someone* the news
    about the SAVE contributions... but, even folks who just came off a
    long vacation had already heard.  Good news sure does travel fast.
    
    And if .10 really is THE Bob Palmer  (isn't that unprecedented?) then
    that really WILL bring the house down.
    
    Maybe this ol' ship really IS gonna float again!
    
    tony

    
    Re: .0 
    
    Ken: Nice note
    
    Re: 10:
    
    Bob: Nice Reply, Please keep it up !!
    
    Randy
    
    

    
    re .11
    
    if he shows up in the box, then i'll faint too.

    Re .10
    
     Talk about motivating the troops. Thank you Mr. Palmer. Don't
    be a stranger.
    
     I'm still in shock.
    
    Reis

    re .10
    
    This indeed is a pleasant surprise. I like the idea of direct
    communication, which indeed was timely. I hope other VP's in the
    organization take the hint and start communicating better.
    
    

    
    Thank you Bob, you certainly have lifted my spirits. I too checked out
    elf and was very happy to find only one Bob Palmer. Believe it or not
    this "means alot to the troops". Some others may not find it to be so 
    great, theres always some spoil sports around, but to the vast majority it 
    "means something" and thats what counts. 
    
    There have been other large
    and great corporations in our position (almost down and out), they
    turned it around. They were Chrysler and Ford --- look were they're at 
    today. Chrysler is the lowest cost producer and Ford is knocking on
    GM's doorstep. Ford went from, let get ourselves in a position to be 
    profitable with only 18% of the market, to a goal of let's challenge GM 
    and pass them someday. They're well on the way of doing just that. 
    
    
    Rick C.
    
    Again thanks....
    
    P.S. Mr. Caldwell (Digital Board of Directors) was the CEO at Ford
    during those dark days and was responsible for their turnaround (along
    with Red Polling and Donald Peterson). Great story there, as ours
    is also. No complacency should be the "battle cry".
     
    

    
    A copy of .10 has been placed in my small permanent collection of
    DEC memorabilia. (I can only hope that such communication becomes so
    pervasive that in five years I'll wonder why I bothered saving it.)
    
    Way to go, Bob! I don't care what the others say -- you've got potential!
    

    RE: .10
    
    FX: <bonk> (Head falls on floor).
    
    As a contractor with nearly 10 years at Digital, I can honestly say
    that I'm absolutely flabbergasted. Over the years, in various sites and
    countries, various managers have taken me to task when someone has
    reported me to them for "negative" comments in conferences, principally
    this one. I have persisted for three main reasons. Firstly, I felt that
    I had, on occasion, something of value to contribute to a wide and
    senior audience which was unreachable in any other way. I find it
    extremely difficult to keep quiet under such circumstances. Secondly,
    the risk of retribution via my manager from someone disgruntled because
    I told them their baby was ugly, was worth it if in some small way I
    could make a positive contribution to the direction, and hence the
    sucess of the Company (short of risking being fired of course!).
    Thirdly, because I cared about Digital, a company which has more going
    for it than any of the many others I worked for.
    
    Recently, I have contributed less and less, and had more-or-less become
    read-only in here. I had lost faith in the fairness of vested interests
    trying to shut everyone up who refused to bend over and say please, and
    in those who could only see negativeness in any criticism at all. I had
    come to believe that those who proffered an opinion, the high-profile
    noters, were disappearing at too fast a rate for my comfort; the
    risk-factor had, it seemed, increased. Lastly, I had come to believe
    that no-one who mattered read what we were saying anyway, and the few
    in positions of power who didn't believe NOTES was a "waste of time and
    should be banned", weren't interested in changing things anyway,
    especially if it interfered with whatever personal agenda they were
    promoting.
    
    I think I can speak for all employees, permanent and contract, when I
    say that your having posted a note in here signals either the end of
    the assumptions in my previous paragraph, or certainly, notice of
    change. Thank you.
    
    Cheers, Laurie.

    Regarding the "is .10 the real Bob?" string:
    
    It is.  Part of the organization I work for supports the Office of the
    President and PONDB:: is Bob's machine.
    
    Way to go, Bob!!  Thanks for the lift.
    
    Dave

    Re .10, I'm still spinning.
     
    I had to look twice at the header and even then I could not believe 
    my eyes. The fact that the CEO would even browse this type of Notes
    stream surprises me, but to REPLY is stunning, goodonya Bob, you
    have done more for morale and confidence with a few lines of reply in a
    conference like this than all the video tapes I've seen. I'd like to
    shake hands with you next time you are down in Australia.
    
    This really illustrates that you are prepared to take notice of those
    in the front lines, I'd like to see more replies, how about some comments on
    other streams stating what the SLT's position, view, directions is.
    
    Thanks from Downunder, 
    Keep on noting.
    Steve. 

    RE: .10
    
    {Standing ovation}
    
    Amazing!  %^]
    
    
    

    
    
    RE: .10  Way to go, Bob.  This is indeed great to see.  
    
    
    Now, about sponsoring that Winston cup team.... :')
    
    
    
    Mike

    I can't believe it; I actually stood up and clapped, too!   Not to
    mention the tear in my eye...

    
    	Thanks, Bob.
    
    	Everyone before has said it most eloquently. So today, I turned
    down a position to be a Regional Manager for AT&T/Paradyne in Chicago
    to stay at Digital and put us back on the map.
    
    	And Bob can put that one squarely on his note here.
    
    		the Greyhawk stays.

    
    
    Yeah, okay.  Five pounds of sugar fits nicely in a tea cup..
    
    Getting quite a sugar rush....too....
    
    
    

    	I just saw .10, I left the response on my screen, collected eveyone
    in the office I could fine, and we just starred in silence at the
    reply.
    
    P.S. The note was placed at 17:52..That's after 5 p.m. folks!!!!
    
    Regards,
    Rick

    RE: .0
    
    Ken, thank you for having the courage of saying the things many of us
    in the Sales and Services organization are feeling.
    
    RE: .10
    
    Bob, as an 11 year employee, I would include this day as one of the
    highlights of my career.  One of the biggest things I have observed
    regarding leadership here is that it is a shared responsibility, that
    is Leaders have to lead and Troops have to follow.  Winston Churchill
    had a great quote, "Find out where the troops want to go, and get out
    in front of them."  Today, you are out in front Bob and we're going to
    run through sheet rock if need be.  Thank you for being a leader, we'll
    follow and also lead on our part too.
    
    RE: .35
    
    Greyhawk, good choice to stay, It's going to be a fun ride on our next
    Carrier launch against the evil empires of HP, IBM, and Sun.
    
    Mav

    
    
    bravo! we have a ways to go .. we have to be diligent so that we don't
    get caught up in the kinds of things that got us into trouble in the
    first place.. things like managers empire building, losing sight of the
    customer "smoking our own exhaust" etc.. 
    
    that being said, i haven't felt this good in at least 10 years.. 
    keep up the good work! i've called off the headhunters (for now) :0)

RE: .10

	Well, what can I say Bob? I'm impressed as all get out. It
	IS becoming more fun in DEC nowadays. I'm working on 
	interesting products (one that has done $2.5mil in 2 months
	with NO marketing support!) with good people. My attitude
	is coming around to 180 degrees from 6 months ago. I'm
	even back in the stock plan and will be making a NICE
	profit! (I hear "Miata" in my future :))

	After almost 15 up and down years at DEC (and I'm only 33),
	it's nice to be back on the winning team. 

	Thanks for lifting MY spirits just that little more.

						mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Foley                      foley@axel.zko.dec.com
Internet AlphaServer and CTI AlphaServer Projects
Integrated Servers Group              W: 603.881.2176
DEC Internal home page:               http://axel.zko.dec.com/~foley/foley.html
|d|i|g|i|t|a|l|			      *Formerly in VMS Development*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	p.s. I think we should be doing the Winston Cup thing too :)

    ..The Bob Palmer Fan Club Note.
    
    Bob, I think you'll need to order a couple of gross of 8x10" glossies
    and Bob Palmer For President Buttons...ehhh...OK..Bob Palmer Is
    President Buttons :-)

re: .10
Thanks, Bob, I needed that!


Need that 401k contribution, too!


Kudos to Ken for leading this parade.


NancyT

    What a great note:
    
    1. Ken's base note - Very uplifting.
    2. Bob's reply - Stunning.  Stuning.
    3. The Greyhawk stays.
    
    Exciting times!
    
    

What else is there to say?

Thank you.

Thank you, too Greyhawk.  We'll need your talents!

    
    Ken
    
    Great note, and its more than just the stock going up. I've been around
    Digital for 10 years and this is truly a comeback story.
    
    .10 Bob, I was shocked, stunned to actually see a reply from our
    CEO. Flabbergasted to say the least. I think this shows that you
    are aware of employee concerns, and are doing something about it.
    
    Thanks also for the recent SAVE announcement, I for one am extremely
    happy to hear of this. Now let's get out there and kick some major
    ass in Q4, and one again stun the Wall Street pesemists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Mark

I felt very positive about Digital eleven years ago when I arrived, and
I've never changed that. We have world-class minds, talents, and hearts.
Look around the cubes and you'll see the best of the best, right here.

With Digital doing well again, my hope for my present group is that WE
change course and once again focus on being contributing members of
project teams that deliver quality products. That event, when it happens,
will renew the enthusiasm of a lot of good people.

Art

    
    
    	re: .10
    
    	wow. After being at Digital for the past 7 years, that's the first
    time I can recall seeing anyone above the rank of supervisor post a
    note. To have it be the CEO of this company is outstanding...!
    
    
     	I'm glad I've stayed with Digital through the bad times. Things are
    looking better for sure...
    
    jim

    Re: .0
    Well written/well said Ken.  You've covered many of the reasons for
    feeling better and I'm feeling better too.  It is fun again.  The
    Notebooks for Sales are great. (I just saw one being demonstrated at a
    Customer by our Sales Rep Monday.)  I'm a CSC=Customer Support
    Consultant supporting the ABU.  We were given VT1200's when we/Digital
    couldn't sell them anywhere else.  But two weeks ago we just got our
    new Celebris machines.  These aren't the low end or unsaleable
    equipment we used to get.  These powerful tools really help us do our
    job efficiently.  It was great to be at the Customer talking about
    learning my new Celebris and observing my Sales Rep demo his new Hinote
    while discussing the Customer's current and committed $7M PC order
    which includes both of these.  Using what we're selling seemed to add
    credibility to our words and our products.
    
    Thanks Ken for reminding us how far we've come.  Yes we still have
    opportunities for problem resolution.  We must stay focused.  Bob
    Palmer has said we will face more TFSO's by calendar year end.  That
    will be hard.  I have felt like a survivor and I've been referred to as a
    "looser" for still being here, but more recently I'm feeling like part
    of the solution and it's nice.
    
    Re .10
    
    Thanks for responding in this notes file Bob.  It's encouraging that
    you would take the time to acknowledge Ken's note.  Thanks for
    noticing.
    
    Suzanne
    

    	re: .10
    
	Holy cow, GQ-Bob!   (your nickname,cause you dress-for-success)

	Thanks for the inspiration!

	Mikki  (a much happier Digit)	*8-)

Well, I have $.02 and want to take a second to throw them in here too.
What a neat thing to happen.  I suspect that Ken's note was brought
to Bob's attention somehow (it's highly unlikely that a CEO 
would personally track every note in this or any other conference).
Nevertheless, the "tracker" did his/her job -- and Bob apparently
did his very well indeed.

The references in this string to Churchill (leading), to the
intimidation factor (attempting to speak to senior mgmt), to 
"read-only" (because those who had the power to change weren't
listening anyway) all weave a mosaic of moving emotion for me and
I'm sure for others.  

This is a "people's forum", and Bob has identified with the
60,000 or so of us out here who are beginning to see Digital as
a special place once more. The grieving process is coming to a close.  
Surely, too many absolutely GREAT people were laid off and more of 
the same resigned.  I consider it a miracle that I am still here
myself, even though, like Ken, I'm on the front line in Sales 
Support. Our ranks have been so decimated that there are slots
open once again for new hires. (But this, really, is good news).

So thanks, Ken, for saying what many of us are feeling.  Sales
is becoming more fun again, with the absolutely great systems that
engineering is delivering, marketing is creatively describing, 
manufacturing is carefully building, and our competition is dreading.

It's beginning to feel like a team again.  Please be patient with
each other, everyone is overworked right now (even Bob had to put
in 42 minutes overtime ;>)), but I have NEVER experienced the 
unprecedented and unqualified cooperation from the extended Digital
community than I have nowadays.  People return calls promptly, they
get answers, they empathize, they REALLY care if we make a sale, 
they accept criticism, it's like we're in it for our very lives ...
which, if nothing else, watching people fall all around you is
a very sobering experience.  After all, a company is just a bunch
of people engaged in profitable activity.  Well, we have 'half a
bunch' now, and a lot of 'partners' out there.  It's a new game
and we're all doing our best to understand the shift, adjust, and
move on.

The nice thing to know is that our chief spokesperson, while maybe
not having a glass to the wall, is still 'listening'.

/Kent
Sales Support
Phoenix (the original 'out of the ashes' place)

    RE: .50
    
    "...Sales is becoming more fun again, with the absolutely great 
    systems that engineering is delivering, marketing is creatively 
    describing, manufacturing is carefully building, and our 
    competition is dreading."
    
    What great ad copy your words would make!
    
    Reeling,
    
    Mike
    
    
    

     Yup, I agree with the other replies here. Way ta go Bob !
    
     ....and by the way, I like that song you wrote a few years back...
    
    "...might as well face it you're addicted to love..."
    
    oh,oh yeah, that was the other Bob.  
    
    :^)
    

    It's nice to see so many positive notes in this forum.  It was
    especially encouraging to see our CEO taking the time to enter a
    response to this base note.
    
    I've been with Digital over 8 years and have seen morale go from great
    to terrible.  For the first time in 5 years, I see morale improving
    once more.  The new SAVE plan, IMO, will go a long way in continuing
    this improvement in morale.  Kudos to all responsible for implementing
    this plan. 
    
    
    -steve

re: .0

  Thanks Ken, when you're at a customer site 40 hours a week, fighting to keep
Digital business, it's easy to feel isolated and get discouraged.  Your note
was a great boost!

re: .10

  WOW!!!!  After I scraped my jaw off the floor and began to realize the
importance of Bob's note in here, I drove home with an energy uplift I 
haven't experienced in about 7 years.  It really feels great to work for
Digital again.

				SQ

PS.  I'm also in favor of Winston Cup sponsorship (or Indy Car or F1 or NHRA 
or all of the above).

    ...YES THANKS BOB....its amazing to see all these people coming out of
    the woodwork to suck up!!!!
    
    horNET
    

    
    
    shaddup and wipe off your nose, horNET......
    
    Mike

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     01-May-1995 12:13pm EDT
                                        From:     JACK CARLTON @MKO
                                                  CARLTON.JACK
                                        Dept:     CSS AMERICAS FINANCE
                                        Tel No:   1-603-884-5547

TO:  Robert B Palmer @MSO                 ( PRESIDENT AT A1 at SALES at AKO )


Subject: RE: Company to Contribute to SAVE Plan                      

Bob, thank you.  It's something.  It's positive.  It makes me feel better about 
working here.  

Thank you.

I am stunned and impressed that Bob would reply.  Bob's comment means a great
deal to those who have stuck with Digital all this time.  It means more than
he probably would ever understand.

What will turn this company around now is the energy generated by a motivated
and excited workforce.  In many cases, like Bob's note, this isn't a matter
of throwing money at the problem.  It's a matter of giving everyone a reason
to believe.

This thread is beginning to show that this is happening as a snowball rolling
down a hill.  I personally am pleased as punch at these new developments.

Nobody is going to buy from a company who they believe has as their sole 
motivation to make a profit.  This is necessary but not sufficient.  They have
to feel they can trust a company to keep its word, to do their best, to stand
by you through thick and thin, to develop and deliver to you the products that
will help ensure your success so they can in turn ensure yours. 

To get the best from your employees they need to feel the same.

As Bob's note shows, it often the little things that count the most.

    re .55
    Hi Hornet,  Nice to see you're happy too.  I didn't see a smiley after
    your comment, but perhaps you forgot to include it...  Actually it's
    pretty nice to see so many people responding positively in this notes
    file.  If you prefer to call that sucking up I suppose that's your
    problem, I prefer to see it as another indication we're moving in the
    right direction and some attitudes are changing for the better.  I
    don't think Bob is reading this notes conference.  I think he has lots
    of other things to keep him busy.  I believe someone advised him of the
    note.  However, I am pleased that he responded to it herein.
    
    Put a smile on your face and appreciate the kudos which will probably
    be reported to Bob as xx% of the replies favored the fact that you
    responded personally.  Appreciate also the change in attitudes and
    morale.
    
    Suzanne :^)
    

    Re: .10
    
    Ah, don't you have something better to do than hang around in notes
    conferences?  %^)
    
    -- Jim

    I just got home from the 25th anniversary diner, where Bob gave a
    short, but very positive talk. feeling a bit up on DEC from that I
    thought Id log in for a few minutes and catch up- and this note pops up
    first!
    
    There were about 175 of us 25 year veterans at the dinner. A good
    evening of old Dec stories.
    
    Things are looking up!  

    Very positive base note... makes me quite jealous I'm not a permie any
    more...
    
    
    if only Bob had realised some time ago how simple it would be to
    improve morale? one note..... ;-)
    
    
    
    Xtine

    Yes, but does it make you sufficiently jealous to hand back your
    redundancy wad and get rehired?

    Is an XXXX.10 reply a snarf?

      I was very pleasantly surprised at the Notes File responses to my
      short reply to Note 3846.  I think everyone in Digital is tired of
      pessimism, and it certainly shows in what you had to say.  Suzanne
      (3846.59) got it right when she said I have lots of things to keep
      me busy, so you won't be able to count on me as a frequent Notes
      File contributor.  However, I do hope to get a word in now and then.
       
      As I have stated in speeches and DVN's, this job is a special
      privilege for me, even if (just like yours) it comes with some
      frustrations.  But, the kind of momentum I have seen building in our
      company in the past few months and the support I have felt in the
      last couple of days for what I am trying to accomplish has more than
      overcome any frustrations. 
       
      Thank you, 
       
      Bob  
     

                                    Applause.
        

    
    
    hear hear Bob!!!! By the way, you need a new personal_name, how
    about, "I'm CEO, and your not" or "Have Porsche, will travel" Well,
    you get the idea. Nice to know that the CEO knows how to use Notes,
    now if you could show the other VP's the same. :-)
    
    Mark

    Another reason to feel good is that clearly at least some of the senior
    management have resumed telling us about the things we're doing right. 
    And yes, I do believe that we are doing many things right, and I also
    believe that the ratio of mistakes to succeses is dropping.
    
    I make this comment because in the last year or two I felt that too
    many have been restricting themselves to telling us what we were doing
    wrong.  Sometimes their words excluded themselves from any blame of
    mis-management.
    
    I also number myself among those who are deeply appreciative that BP
    has taken the time and trouble to respond twice in this string.
    
    Nick

    This is all your fault Ken! No longer can I have a whinge and moan and
    not feel hypocritical.
    
    When I was a DECcie working for Digital I could contemplate and discuss
    the good ol' days. Tell newcomers what life used to be like. But not
    anymore.  It feels like the good ol' days are coming back! 
    
    I was stunned by .10 but for it to happen again...
    
    I'm beginning to believe we really can make it and be the best.  
    
    Exciting isn't it?
    

	I'm going to copy .10 and send it to my group.  Bob has come a long way
	since he was the speaker at my 5 year lunch in '89 and it really feels
	like we'll be going a lot further.  I don't care if Bob reads the notes
	himself or has someone informing him.  That doesn't matter.  
The fac
	is that he's informed, concerned and involved.  A good role model for
	us all.
					JT

One of the things that endeared Ken Olsen to so many of us old timers (I've 
got 22 years) was his ability to reach his employees.  He did it by simply 
mingling with them at the oddest times.

It appears Bob's taken a page out of Ken's book and is using today's 
technology to emulate MBWA.  Suddenly, he seems to be in touch with the 
company.  It's one thing to stand up in front of a group and deliver a 
speech.  It's another thing to sit in the audience and talk to people.  
You find out a lot more by listening than by talking sometimes and Bob's 
shown us he's listening.

    >...at least some of the senior management have resumed telling us
    >about the things we're doing right.
    
    Directly in the spirit of that "other" Ken's little book, "The One
    Minute Manager".

    Re: .67, how about "Leading the best past the rest..."  or something to
    that effect (in keeping with the spirit of this string)...
    
    Gotta get on fer myself, too...!
    
    				JC

    RE: .65  Bob

    It's wonderful that you've seen first hand the excitement your note has
    generated.  It's been a morale boost (even at a time when morale has 
    already been visibly rising for months.)

    My husband works for Digital, too - when I read your .10 on my home PC
    last night, I told him 'Get ready to read the most exciting note in the
    history of Notes at Digital' and showed him your note.

    (It's too bad I didn't think to grab a camera to capture his smile.) :)

    Thanks so very much for your notes,
    Suzanne

> One of the things that endeared Ken Olsen to so many of us old timers (I've
> got 22 years) was his ability to reach his employees.  He did it by simply
> mingling with them at the oddest times.

Interesting you mention Ken Olsen.  Just this past Tuesday, I walked into
my cube to find the following hand-written note stuck to my monitor:

        Good luck Ram,
        from a fellow Unix partner,
        Ken Olsen

(It turns out that Ken was in town visiting his daughter, and stopped
by the office Monday afternoon to chat with people, while I was at
a customer site.  He doesn't know me personally, but probably noticed
the UNIX Partner sign outside my cube.)

The personal touch, and the attempt by senior management to indentify
with the front-line troops goes a long way, as evidenced by Ken's note
and Bob's postings in .10 and .65.  Digital middle-management in the
field could get more mileage out of us sales-droids with more of this
kind of communmication.

An upbeat survivor in Indianapolis,

Ram

re .75

Ram,

>The personal touch, and the attempt by senior management to indentify
>with the front-line troops goes a long way, as evidenced by Ken's note
>and Bob's postings in .10 and .65.  Digital middle-management in the
>field could get more mileage out of us sales-droids with more of this
>kind of communmication.

	Yes i think that is what is missing, there is NOT enough personal
contact from senior mangement down to the troops. Its good to see that BP is
listening in but what about the next ten levels of mangement (well it seems like
there is 10 levels!!)

Gerald_who_hasnt_seen_a_VP_ever!!

    Years ago my Father-in-Law died, and Ken Olsen sent me (a new hire at
    the time, in Field Service, in Texas) a personal (not machined) letter
    of condolence.  He had this way of reaching out to employees at the
    "right" time.
    
    I never thought I'd see anything like that again. 
    
    In a different way (but, not so very different) Bob has just reached
    out to us all.  
    
    I appreciate it.
    
    Tony

    DOUBLE WOW!!!!!!
    	I was impressed with Ken's note, and again at BP's response!  But,
    to see BP respond again.....I just don't know.....to actually 'listen'
    to the 'regular' people more than once!  
    	I really am impressed!  Keep it up Bob!
    		Na

    Bob
    
    	 You have found the way to motivate the masses Its always something 
    simple like parking your car with the rest of us. Only the best managers 
    seem to find the way.

    
    
    
    My colleagues mentioned this thread, and the fact that Bob replied.
    I've read a few of the replies, and I feel as though I've blundered
    into some kind of surreal party.
    
    
    I work in one of the CSCs, Digital is making great products, and that
    was one of the reasons why I wanted to join the company a year ago. But
    since I've been here I just see more and more work being heaped upon my
    plate, with no forseeable letup. Nobody beyond our immediate management
    seems to be aware of this. 
    
    Does this mean that there are two Digitals ? or did I miss the good
    times by joining so late.
    
    
    
    
    
    Conrad
    

    
    
    I have only been a Digit for a short time (just under 4 years), so I
    really don't know what the "old Digital" was like except from what I
    have heard from those that have been around since them.  But in my
    short 4 years, I have seen a lot of changes.  I came in at a time when
    things were starting to look bad, and got worse from there.  But I
    always had 'faith'...even when others knocked me for it.  And we are
    turning around.  Things are slowly going back to the way they were (at
    least for me).  I never expected it to be an overnight success...nor
    would I want it to be, as it probably wouldn't have been a lasting
    victory...I still have faith...and I think a lot of others do now as
    well...especially after seeing the now infamous note .10 in here.  
    
    I just want to say thank you for taking the time out of a very busy
    schedule to put a lot of minds at ease, and for scoring some major
    brownie points with your worker bees... %^>
    
    -raquel

Re: whole topic

I, too, feel happy that Bob Palmer has appeared in a public forum such
as HUMANE::DIGITAL.  But does he deserve the praise that many of my
fellow noters are showering on him because he has entered a nice note
or two?  Has it taken him *that* long to discover Notes and the effect
it can have on the many employees that read DIGITAL? 

I think that Bob and the SLT should be seen more often in forums like
this.  Many employees never get the opportunity to communicate with
them directly, let alone see them in presentations, so a forum such a
this is the next best thing in many ways.  I hope this episode has
opened a new chapter in SLT awareness of the positive power of Notes. 

It's well past time that Bob and the SLT climbed out of their ivory
tower and mixed it with the employees in electronic conferences like
this.  Saying that Andy Grove (Intel - Pentium debacle) did that
recently and look at the trouble it got him into :-). 

                          James.

    
    There I was brousing through a motorcycle notes conference when I came
    across a note telling us to read this entry.......I was stunned.   I
    mailed my group and they were stunned.  I can only endorse everyone
    elses comments.  It's so good to know you actually care enough to
    reply!  As if you had'nt guessed I think you have won more friends
    in the time it took to type your reply than you realise.
    I have, in my 7 year time at Digital, enroled in the ESPP - for the
    first time in a long time I believe in Digital..
    Thanks you for your inspiration ....
    
    Paul 
    
    Proud to be a Digit ;-)

    Speaking of Ken, does anyone know how he is doing and how he's
    spending his time?
    
    I remember that Ken had no reserved parking spot at the Mill, and I
    once came into my cubicle to find on my desk a handwritten note of
    appreciation for a project I'd worked on from Larry Portner.
    
    Karen (4 digit badge number, gave up a pot of money at Adobe to
    rehire with Dec two years after a TFSO, and glad I did.)
                              

    
    
        Thanks for the positive base note... thanks Bob for letting people
    know that you are out there.
    
        It just goes to show you how something positive touches so many
    people (in many different ways), and makes them want to share it.  I
    too heard about this base note in another notes file where everyone was
    talking about Bob Palmer entering a note.  Its amazing how fast news
    travels... its great when its positive.
    
        Someone else stated it perfectly several notes back ....
    
    
    
         "APPLAUSE"
    
          
    
           just me

    Hey Bob,

    Now that two of the best weekend Brunch places are gone, where
    are you filling your tummy?  Cafe Rhubarb and the Coach House.
    We (hubby and I) found another neat place that opened in down-
    town Hudson (Hat's Off Deli) that was great until some personal
    problems forced the closure.  Hubby and I are getting somewhat
    paranoid about finding another good place for weekend nummies
    in case we factor into closing down the place by enjoying it 
    so much!!!  ;*)   If you are ever in downtown Northampton,
    try Sylvester's for brunch.  It's on Route 5 near the center
    going toward Springfield.  The quality is the same as we got
    in Marlboro and Sudbury on Route 20.

    Let's just say that this is a way of checking to make sure that
    the REAL Bob is behind the node.  ;*)  I work in HLO (Q&R) and 
    told you to try the Coach House when Cafe Rhubarb closed so you 
    wouldn't have to spend a fortune at Bullfinch's!  

    justme....jacqui
    

RE:  3846.80 (KERNEL::PRICEC)

>    Does this mean that there are two Digitals ? or did I miss the good
>    times by joining so late.
 
To be the resurging Digital we are right now, we have to be the Digital that
works our butts off to make it a reality.  I look around my group, and am
totally amazed at how we do it.  We have an amazing product with more
customers than we can deliver to, we're understaffed with frozen reqs, and
the field keeps promising new functionality within already impossible
deadlines. It's a nightmare worse than the one on Elm Street.

I'm sure I'm not the only software engineer who throws her hands up in the 
air, screams, and contemplates briefly those jobs on the "outside" with
normal work weeks, where people actually get promoted, and where I can make an
easy $10,000+ a year more.
 
Yet, somehow we do stay here and somehow we deliver....and I think that reason
has to do with a sense of ownership and pride in what we accomplish and what we
bring to this company from our own little neck of the woods.  There was a time,
a couple of years ago when I didn't think I'd ever see it this way again...

Yes, there ARE two Digitals, because one couldn't exist without the other.  And
I thank Bob for beginning to recognize that through the decision with the
SAVE program.

As for sponsoring the Winston Cup, I'd rather see the Matching Gift program
re-instated.  To me it's much more important to see our corporation
making a positive difference in the world by taking this ownership and pride
out into our communities where others can begin to see a glimmer of hope for
their lives just like the glimmer we are beginning to see for Digital.


Kathy Gallup
KBSG -- Cellular Fraud 

    Yes, I'd like to see the Matching Gift program back as well.
    

    
>    you get the idea. Nice to know that the CEO knows how to use Notes,
>    now if you could show the other VP's the same. :-)
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    based on the way this info is flying, I don't think thats going to be
    a problem.
    
    Mike M.

    
    RE: (back a few replies): Are there two Digital's? Well, I thought
    there were. Maybe Bob has found a way to unify them. As a way to reach
    large numbers of coalface staff in DEC on company matters, notes is far
    more effective than a shipload of buckshot emails, DVNs and memos.
    
    Maybe the two company subcultures which have for so long existed CAN be
    unified. It's about time!
    
    Well done, Bob.
    
    Regards
    Alan T.
             

about .10 & .65

Can he do that? 

Isn't there some unwritten notesfile rule somewhere that says management types 
aren't allowed to mix it up in notes like that? 

Mark

    
    I think it's a really good sign that Bob Palmer is taking an interest
    and took the time to post a reply here. 
    
    I think there is still a long way to go and it would help morale if the
    benefits/rewards on both sides of the Atlantic were the same. 
    
    In particular I'm referring to long service awards. It seems that in 
    the USA, and even in other parts of Europe, the awards are better than 
    the ones we get in the U.K. - for 10 years we get our gold pen and pencil 
    set, that's all ! I don't mean to seem ungrateful and if that's all
    ANYone in the company (Worldwide) was getting I'd be thrilled but in the 
    U.S. I understand there is a catalogue with gifts which you can chose 
    from ?
    
    Bye
    
    Trevor
    (11 years service)

    re: Note 3846.30 by PKHUB3::MTEAM
           
    > It is.  Part of the organization I work for supports the Office of
    > the President
    
    I've gotten calls from "The Office of the President" too.  Only
    this fellow was at the White House.  (I'll skip the personal opinion).
    :^)
    
    I work from home, so my contact with co-workers isn't what one would
    normally experience.  So, I cruise through here and I see ODIXIE::
    hey, he's local... yup, I know that guy, familiar with him, ya, yup,
    BOB ???  <double take> Holy Cow.  Yup, that's the boss. 
     
    Thanks for listening and for responding.  Hey, you by any chance
    wouldn't want to turn in that porsche for a 715 horsepower Monte Carlo
    would you?
    
    Regards,
    MadMike

    Trevor,
    
    I just received the new awards catalog and although there are more
    choices than a pen&pencil set, they are still simple tokens of
    appreciation.  Certainly nothing that I could not buy in a Service
    Merchandise store with a Digital logo attached.  The Company is
    multinational and there are dozens of things that won't be the same in
    every country.  In my opinion, this one is not a big deal.
    
    Mark

    
    
    Sad Sack,
    
    
    Leave the Chevy.  Let's see if we can't get us a MOPAR to run around
    in circles. ;')
    

    Ya-but you run a mopar, you run in ARCA.  You run in arca, you don't
    get on teevee.  Except down here in the north Georgia mountains I watch
    ARCA on SportSouth.
    
    And I didn't want to sound cheesy pushing an idea knowing the boss
    is hanging around, but since you started it and notes is a good
    place to toss around ideas....
    
    Maybe Mr. Palmer can keep his Porsche and get some Monte Carlos as
    well.  Even some (gack) thunderbirds would be alright.  Heck, if he
    wants to check it out I can bring him over to the shop and he can see
    a stable-full of red and yellow 200 mph thunderbirds and meet
    some real nice folks.  Knowing him, he'd probably skip me and show
    up in town with the president of McD's or Coke.  Oh well.  
    
    Maybe we'll get Bob hooked, and he'll start playing the contest
    in VMSNET::NASCAR$NOTE::NASCAR %^)
    
    MadMike                              

    
.92> about .10 & .65
.92> 
.92> Can he do that? 
.92> 
.92> Isn't there some unwritten notesfile rule somewhere that says management
.92> types aren't allowed to mix it up in notes like that? 
    
    Though Bob has taken One Giant Leap for DEC Management, he cannot yet be
    considered as having "mixed it up in notes".
    
    The DEC_HISTORY conference has recorded Bob's One Small Step For a
    Noter in 269. A fitting footnote would be when his ongoing communication
    in this medium turns to something controversial and he suffers the
    inevitable slings and arrows.
    

    
    Mike, love the new p_name.
    
    Mark

Sorta brings back memories of David Stone.  Would love to see that trend
return.


	Now back to our regularly scheduled program in progress.

    Bob et al;
    
    As was tucked on the right side of the cover of the "Sgt. Peppers's"
    album:  "Welcome Good Guys!"
    
    The question has never been "Will Digital Make It?"  It has been "Will
    we be on board when it happens?!"
    
    Never been so busy, never had better stuff _or better strategies_ to talk
    about...
    
    Frank

    re: nabobs (e.g. .83)
    
    It's HIS conference too!  (Maybe more so!)
    
    It's hard to imagine someone with his schedule even LOOKING in here,
    much less writing.  Try and FEEL it, will ya?
    
    Frank

    
    	This note is getting forwarded around the company!! Astounding!
    
    	I came in to suggest that WE SHOULD OFFER THE MACHINE THAT IS
    	SO DAMN TOUGH TO CONFIGURE AND BUY AS A SINGLE PART NUMBER 
    	(the one in .0 that the	salesforce is getting) complete with
    	all the software pre-installed (and also shipped on an accompanying
    	CD). Maybe even a mobile version with cellular modem, air time
    	contract - the whole nine yards. It takes a long time and a lot
    	of effort to put a package like this together, we should sell
    	that effort/expertise. 
    
    	Having spent 4 months trying to get to exactly the same configuration
    	(I'm nearly there, I've P1'ed the dongles from the US because they
    	have been discontinued from the European parts list), I know
    	how hard it will be for a customer who doesn't even have the
    	advantage of a clear vision of what they want.
    
	We should only offer the 475/TFT (if you want low hassle, you
    	have to pay for the best), and we should give quantity discounts
    	for 100 packs :-) Seriously though, I can see other corporations
    	doing the same thing.
    
    Regards,
    Paul Tallett @REO,
    ALL-IN-1/TeamLinks Engineering
    Reading, England

Re: David Stone in notes....

Another VP I have seen and continue to see sometimes in notes is 
Bob Supnik.  Always very well informed and having something 
worthwhile to say.

How can we sell technology if we don't use it ourselves?  Any
employee who isn't on the Internet, should get there ASAP.  It's
impact on society, I believe, will be as big as that of the 
computer (for better or for worse)

Robert Farago
Networks Engineering Australia

It is very nice to see a few words from Bob Palmer in this conference,
but I'm surprised that he is ahead of his immediate staff. Bob, please
ask your immediate staff to participate as well. I am sure that it would
help make many of the senior members of the company appear more real and
approachable to the rest of the employees. And it could also help elevate
this informal conference from bathroom grafitti to an open dialogue for
*everyone* in the company. BTW, I am not suggesting we should change the
format or structure of this notesfile.

>Per

Some time last year I heard BP in an interview on WBUR (Boston NPR station), and
liked what I heard. He acknowledged the problems, but came across with a
determined and positive message. At some point while listening to the interview
I realized that not only does he spend 40-odd minutes of overtime at work, he
spends his entire *life* working for Digital. If he is not in his office, he is
out talking to reporters, to analysts, business partners, wherever, busting his
butt for all of us (and the stockholders, of course ;^). You don't run a 14
billion dollar corporation 9 to 5; it takes a lot of personal energy and
dedication, and these came through to me on the radio.

So I sent him a brief note of appreciation, saying I liked the interview and his
message (hey, I've got his mail address on something somewhere, reach out and
ping someone!). It gave me a big grin the next day when I logged in and looked
at my mail. He had replied in characteristically brief style thanking me for my
words of encouragement. The message could have been a standard form reply
dropped in by his secretary for all I know, but it was a lot better than 1) no
reply, or 2) "Mr. Palmer thanks you for your message. Due to the large volume of
mail he receives...". 

He could have bailed out in his golden parachute a long time ago and made things
a lot easier on himself, but he didn't. He toughed it out with the rest of us.
So once again, my hat's off to him. Amazing what such a tiny little gesture can
do for people. And I hope others in senior leadership take note of that fact.

    Mr Palmer and fellow noters THANK YOU!!!!!!!
    
    I have spent the last 6 years working on Digitals 800 line talking to
    our customers. It has been very frustrating hearing from them that I 
    would be loseing my job and Digital folding,WRONG!!!
    
      We have all hung tough and promoted the products and Digital with the
    upmost concern. All though we have lost a few soldiers along the way we
    have dug in and fought the fight,we will win the war and come out of
    this alive and well in 1995!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
       Thank You to all of you for making tis company a fun place to work
    AGAIN!!!!!
    
                              Sincerely:
                              
                              Jim "JIMBO" Connor
                              C+P Hotline Suport @800-777-4343
    
     

Well...I'm a new hire and I must say that BP's .10 and .65 is something
I have never seen, and I hope the beginning of a new era at DEC.  I have heard
the critisim of DEC first hand, as a contractor at a large software company in
Redmond, WA...and it always p*ssed me off, the 'kick-whoever-is-down' attitude
that gets displayed openly there...

But I also recognize that the sentiment is increasly bourne of jealousy and
fear, as we continue to prove that excellence in engineering is still a
primary revenue generator, especially when coupled with a focus on statisfying
our customers needs, in many cases, satisfying those needs orders of magnitutdes
better then our competitors can.

But I believe in Digital, so much so that I picked Digital over that big
software company, the new line of PCI based Alpha systems and the success
of the PCBU to me are more than engineering successes, they are the crown jewels
in the new Digital...the new Digital I and many other new hires in the future
want to be a part of, I'm sure.

I worked at Digital as a contractor before a few years back...and it was sad
to watch all of the TSFO's...the decline in morale, the vehement resistance
to change, and the end of an era.  Today the DEC logo means more to me then
it ever has, and company spirit is more important then ever. This string of
notes is proof to me that Digital is back in spirit...and our declaration of
victory is within our grasp, if we fight the good fight...those of you who have
stuck it out and have never wavered in your commitment should be proud of this
notes file, and proud of BP's entry...this truly is a new Digital that I have
joined!!

It feels good to be working at Digital again!

    Like everyone else I'm staggered.
    
    I've worked here 9 and one half years and this is the first time I have
    ever seen a note from anyone who I would call senior. It sort of
    vindicates my stance that notes conferences are open fora, in which
    employees get their only chance to voice their true opinions. Up until
    now, I never got the feeling that anyone more senior than my immediate
    manager read my notes, spooky feeling.
    
    I too am feeling good about Digital, but there are still some strange
    management attitudes around, which takes the edge off my enjoyment
    somewhat.
    
    Bob, your entries in this conference leave me feeling vindicated after
    all the lukewarm warnings I have had about my notes. I can be positive
    and negative, people sometimes don't like the negative and thats
    usually because they know I'm right and so are thousands of others in
    here.
    
    Notes is the easiest way for senior management to gauge the feeling in
    the company, I wish they participated more. Maybe now they will!
    
    Stuart 

re Note 3846.111 by WOTVAX::HATTOS:

>     Notes is the easiest way for senior management to gauge the feeling in
>     the company, I wish they participated more. Maybe now they will!
  
        While I certainly am a big fan of Notes, I wonder how well
        Notes readership represents the corporation.  There are
        certainly particular classes of people that don't use
        computers much, or who have no time during the work day and
        don't have access after-hours, or who don't have enough skill
        (or confidence!) in written *English*.  There are other
        classes of people for whom access to Notes is awkward
        (non-VMS users!) or who may be in parts of the company with a
        new workforce or emerging culture of their own (might PCBU be
        in that category to some extent?).

        On the other hand, you are probably right:  Notes may very
        well be the *easiest* way for senior management to gauge the
        feeling in the company.

        (The participation of senior management may also draw new
        participants into this conference, persons who previously
        viewed participation in conferences such as Digital as
        somehow "non-work-related".)

        Bob

    I would hope that among the PCBU's *emerging* technologies is the use
    of Pathworks Conferencing or Teamlinks Conferencing....
    
    Stuart

>        					  There are other
>        classes of people for whom access to Notes is awkward
>        (non-VMS users!)

Technical trivia - I'm not using any VMS system, other than the server
on which DIGITAL.NOTE happens to reside, to write this note.  I'm
running NetNotes on Windows NT.  

The notes interface for the PC, runs under Windows 3.x,
windows 95 and windows nt...  There is even a server kit
that runs on nt 3.5 ...  plenty of ways to get to notes...

And thanks again to our CEO..  It sure is nice to see those
replies from someone who's got as much on his plate as he must
have.  Gee.. A regular guy runs the palce!!!!  What a concept!!!!!!

re: Sales workbench, Base Note, paragraph 6

Thanks!  My group was the team of engineers that configured the
Sales Workbench platform for the Ultras, assisted CNS with the
800 number PPP dials ups, and got the trainers the info and
equipment they needed to train everyone...

These utlras are the greatest laptops around, and it was a blast to
be able to work so closely with them, and have the roll-out be such a
success...  Onward through the fog!

/r

    
    re -.1
    
    So any chance of getting the Ultras into the hands of delivery
    people? We see customers on a daily basis. Some of us actually
    live at customer sites. It sure would be a blast to let the customers
    see some of our best and brightest with the latest and greatest.
    
    -Mike Z.

Word of Bob Palmer's responses in this notefile (.10 and .65 - as if anyone reading this doesn't already know!)
has spread through the company like wildfire, and I certainly echo the sentiments expressed thus far: things ARE
getting better, and Bob's participation here has certainly contributed to the rise in morale. 

I think the employees of this company (those who stayed, and those who were ALLOWED to stay), deserve their own
cheer, for keeping things going through the tough times, and for not giving up no matter how difficult things had
become. As important as the policies, strategies, or changes implemented by the senior management of this company
might be, it is the hard work of each and every person in the corporation, doing their job each day to the best of
their abilities, upon which the success of Digital ultimately depends. No single person, no matter how important,
no strategy, no matter how inspired, could have made the difference by themselves. But together, WE have made the
difference.

So Here's to us, the people that ARE Digital Equipment Corporation. 
Here's to the success that our continued hard (and smart) work and dedication will undoubtedly bring.

<---- Bob might be able to read the whole note if you write with only 80 
      columns..... :-)

    re .115, can you please provide a pointer to the Windows 3.x notes
    interface for one of my colleagues.
    
    Thanks,
    Steve.

    Yep,
    
    ABBOTT::WINDOWS_OFFICE is where Teamlinks and Conferencing is
    discussed, I think there may be a seperate conference for Conferencing,
    but there'll be a pointer in the above..
    
    Stuart

    re .119
    
    Conferencing for Windows is discussed in GALVIA::CONFERENCING
    
    Note 2.1  : The current kits are located at hngovr::notes$kit:
    
    Regards,
    
    Jan

         <<< HUMANE::DISK$CONFERENCES:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DIGITAL.NOTE;1 >>>
                        -< The Digital way of working >-
================================================================================
Note 3846.117      It's getting to be fun to be a Digit again         117 of 121
TUBORG::K_JOHNSON                                    15 lines  10-MAY-1995 21:56
                            -< Keeping it going... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Word of Bob Palmer's responses in this notefile (.10 and .65 - as if anyone
reading this doesn't already know!) has spread through the company like
wildfire, and I certainly echo the sentiments expressed thus far: things ARE
getting better, and Bob's participation here has certainly contributed to the
rise in morale. 

I think the employees of this company (those who stayed, and those who were
ALLOWED to stay), deserve their own cheer, for keeping things going through the
tough times, and for not giving up no matter how difficult things had become.
As important as the policies, strategies, or changes implemented by the senior
management of this company might be, it is the hard work of each and every
person in the corporation, doing their job each day to the best of their
abilities, upon which the success of Digital ultimately depends. No single
person, no matter how important, no strategy, no matter how inspired, could
have made the difference by themselves. But together, WE have made the
difference.

So Here's to us, the people that ARE Digital Equipment Corporation.  Here's to
the success that our continued hard (and smart) work and dedication will
undoubtedly bring.

English is not my native language, so I don't have good word to say, but let
me say my feeling.

I was recognized this thread at DIGITAL_JAPAN note conference.

I rarely felt I was a member of Digital Equipment Corporation, but one of just
local "Nihon DEC (Digital Japan)" until I read this thread.

Some people and books said about "good old days", but I don't know such days
because I joined Digital 5 years ago.

Local newspaper said only bad news, red ink, eraly retirement program ....,
and also internal news said retirement/cancel of products.

I felt the company was just sponsor to give me money.

But now I seem to be able to say proudly that I'm a member of Digital.

Cheers !!
Yoshiaki 

    Re windows pointers, thanks I'll follow up.
    Steve.

    Re .123
    
    Shimada-san, WELCOME to DIGITAL, we are the best.
    
    Steve.

read many of the entries of this topic and must say :'well , quite right'...
good to hear from the 'boss of the bosses' that 'digits' who work close to the
customers will receive the 'highnote ultra' ( best we can afford )....it's o.k
that way , but what about the people who do the internal support  ( IS )...
what equipment do they need ?????????  ..... some antique stuff to support users
who have got new newest PC"s , CD-ROM etc.etc.....Prioris, Venturis, Celebris ...
sounds good to us... and ... well, but if you work still with a DECPC 433 and
a 14'' screen the whole day long.. boy, your eyes are burning in the evening....
and if you have collegues who do PC support still with  386 models ???
what do you think about that ??? .....NO MONEY for us ???? .....
this is just a thought from someone within IS , giving his best , to solve users
problems .. doing testings at home....learning at home..
 ... but ... (seems like it's getting better but think it could be better...)

...'once upon a time '.... think/hope it will be again like it once was.

axel jacob  IS germany

    
    Outstanding achievement my Friends....