Conference 7.286::digital

2277.0. "Farewell Posting on Behalf of Al Saloky" by MRKTNG::FINOCCHIARO () Tue Dec 15 1992 21:43

			A farewell to the Performance Community          
			        Written by Al Saloky

 This is a note I never thought I'd have to post, nonetheless the moment is
upon me.  On 11-SEP-1992 the US Benchmark Center in Marlboro was shut down and
this past week was the last for the majority of the staff.  After eighteen and
one half years of loyal service to Digital I have been TFSO'd.  This place has
been my extended family, my extended home, and my 'culture'.  As a college kid
fresh out of UMass in 1974 I was awed by the energy, vitality, and honesty the 
company afforded both its customers and its employees.  Over the years, Digital
gave to me an unprecedented opportunity to learn, grow, travel, and excel in a 
true niche in the computer industry: performance characterization and benchmark-
ing (of computer systems, that is).

 It has been my extreme honor and pleasure (most of the time) to be allowed to
associate with, hire, teach, mentor, and promote some of the best and brightest
folks I've ever known.  In turn, they taught me more than words can describe, 
and gave back to Digital countless days, nights, and weekends far and above what
any mere company has the right to expect.

 Through all of the tough times Digital always 'came through'.  I still believe
it has some of the best and brightest engineers, hardest working Sales and
Sales Support people, and highest quality products in this industry.  Were it to
be done all over again starting in 1974, I don't think I'd change an awful lot
I did, yet there is much the company would likely alter, including the uncon-
trolled 'fat cattedness' that is responsible in large measure for where Digital 
is today, laying off hundreds(/thousands?) of talented people while many 
individuals - and indeed entire organizations - whose mission no one understands
continue full tilt.  Among what I'll stretch to call the 'legitimate cuts' we 
all can (grudgingly) understand must happen for the company to survive are the 
kind of senseless, politically motivated actions such as befell the unique 
resource that was the US Benchmark Center in MRO2.

 If there's one thing Digital must do to survive it is to purge itself of those
parties that play the 'shell game' of moving expenses from organization to
organization, knowing full well they are actually *INCREASING* Digital's
costs while *REDUCING* quality, smugly confident that they moved some expenses 
and headcount out of their Cost Center so now it's someone else's problem.
No doubt down the 'food chain' some unsuspecting person will suddenly be faced 
with an out-of-budget 'cross charge or you don't get the service' ultimatum.

 Perhaps almost twenty years is a bit too long to stay at any company.  Cer-
tainly when you're told *NOT* to write down or speak about creative ways to 
reduce expenses and generate revenue (therefore discrediting a 'management
decision' to 'save money) lest you jeopardize what short tenure you have remain-
ing with Digital might be a sign to move on to greener - and hopefully more 
ethical - pastures.  More than ever it seems like 'going along to get along' 
is in vogue.  For those who know me, you'll agree that's not my style.

 Before I go I especially want to recognize the incredible skill, talent, and 
highest standards of most - but unfortunately not all - of the people associated
with performance characterization and benchmarking.  In what is regarded my most
as the truly 'smoke and mirrors' profession in the computer industry there are
oh so few good men and women.  I was often quoted as saying that in our business
there were a lot of fans and not very many players.  These days some of the
fans are even season ticket holders - titles to hold, presentations to make, 
task forces to chair.  But more than likely not an honest day's (or night's)
work slaving over a *REAL* performance problem or a *REAL* benchmark to be shown
as ante to The Game.

 In closing, I wish those that remain the strength to continue on in the face of
what some days seems like insurmountable odds, yet keep a sense humor about
you, trying to maintain the quality and ethics that used to be Digital's trade-
marks.  This time of involuntary separation not withstanding, I look back on
these last 18 1/2 years in Digital with the fondest of memories, with the hope
that I meet up with many of you in my 'life after DEC'.  Until then, I wish you
Good Luck and Godspeed.

Al Saloky

    Al, I remember that you did a winning benchmark for a Navy opportunity
    back in 1982-1983. It was for five VAX750s and associated products and
    services worth $1.75M to Digital. We couldn't have done it without you
    and your group.
    
    My best to you Al - you will be missed.
    
    Regards,
    Bruce