7 May
1998
7 May
'98
3:48 a.m.
"Jeff Kaneko"
<Jeff.Kaneko(a)ifrsys.com>
One thing to remember here is that your logic is based on the premise
that the information still exists.
Recently, I wrote to AST (a company which is pretty good about making
old tech info available) about jumper settings for a Mac286 board.
(The Mac286 is the original DOS coprocessor for the Mac. AST later sold
the rights and technologies to Orange Micro.) According to the polite
reply I received back, there was nothing available. The tone was not a
brushoff, so I can only assume that the info is either:
a) lost
b) stored in a locked file cabinet in a disused lavoratory marked
with a sign which reads "Beware of the Leopard".
One thing to add to your PHM logic, also... I suspect that a lot of
companies keep close hold on old technology because they feel, rightly
or wrongly, that it contains "sensitive" information which might lead
to the compromise of some current product. One can imagine Microsoft
using this logic to protect MBASIC or Apple using it with regards to
the Lisa Office System.
<<<John>>>
P.S. If anyone has a copy of the docs for a Mac286 board (any and all
versions), please let me know. I maintain a small web page devoted to these
cards and would love to answer some questions and get some info.
You know, this idea makes sense. But have a
feeling that most
product managers (the guys most in the position to make these
decisions) are so far removed from the product, so intimidated by
the almighty 'Company Policy (tm)', (not to mention hair being way,
way too pointy) that even this will not get consideration.
Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
Well, I'm sure we all think that would be a
Good Thing, but just try
convincing companies of that.
OK, help me brainstorm arguments to persuade companies to release
obsolete information. Certainly pointy-haired managers (does the
cartoon "Dilbert" cross the pond?) will opt for the simple safe
solution of "don't let anything out of the office, or out of our
control". And there's the question of money to be made. As soon
as someone seems interested in old technology, they'll believe
there's still some money to be made. Then there's the question
of the cost and trouble of drafting or approving any legal document
to make the transaction official. Why spend money on giving away
products?