Conference 7.286::digital

If this is really from PC Week (and not a total put-on), then you have to admire
how perceptive they are about the method behind our [down|right|dumb]-sizing!
Of course, our customer base probably doesn't really need to see more of this...

- paul

    The previous issue of PCWeek had the article about DEC buying Windows
    NT?  What's going on there?  This is not the usual venue for our rumors
    and ribbings.
    
    Did a former Digit land there?
    
    ..Larry

I would have thought that in order to create the right balance in the new
administration, RP would have recommended splitting Al Gore's VP position
between about 150 worthy citizens.

    A few years ago I would laugh at this, being certain that it was
    written in humor.  Now, with the world being the way it is, I am not so
    sure.  Just to keep on the safe side, for the time being I will keep my
    ears glued to CNN for updates.

    
    	Actually, the source I use stated that Clinton originally began
    the conversation with RP "Let's talk about what one needs to do to get
    a 40% salary increase, while convincing everyone else (who isn't)
    you're worth it." That started the whole ball rolling downhill.
    	After a time (and my source swears this is absolutely true) Hillary
    entered the room and requested the VPs slot right-off with the comment,
    "Since it appears to be working so well at Digital (the downsizing), 
    why don't you boys help Al (Gore) find the door."
    	One small correction, however, outsourcing the Supreme Court was
    only touched upon. What was agreed was that judicial review needed to be
    streamlined, and that the appropriate response should be to create an
    outside task force to develop new policies and procedures to be acted
    upon at a later date.
    	Otherwise, my source confirms .0 as totally accurate.
                                  
    		the Greyhawk
    
    

OK.  I'll bite.

There may be a teeny problem with having the Executive branch of the 
government trying to streamline the Legislative branch.  

There's the matter of separation of powers, as noted in the U.S. Constitution.

The date on that pcweek should have been April 1, not may 16!


:)

Tony

    That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever read, and the best laugh
    I've had since...since...the 31st of May!  Of course, it can't be real, 
    because it's too stupid for even our government to try...besides, 
    it doesn't seem to be working so well here, so why try it on a 
    larger scale?!  Well, then again, it wouldn't be the first time the 
    government set itself up for failure...Interesting concept, 
    very interesting...
    
    M.

RE:      <<< Note 3165.8 by SWAM2::GOLDMAN_MA "Blondes have more Brains!" >>>
   
    >>Of course, it can't be real, 

     It's already circulating as authentic.

                                    Greg

I can't find this in the May 16 "PC Week", nor in any issue since that.
I'm presuming it's a hoax, though a funny one.

				Steve

    	Please, don't search for the article, please don't...

    Re: .11
    
    I had figured that this was a humor piece that had actually
    appeared in PC Week.  But it didn't; someone invented the
    attribution, which is unusual.
    
    				Steve

    
    
    Re: .*
    
    It's alarming to think that ANYONE would have thought of the article
    as * real * ...  :-)
    
    

    What's really alarming is that anyone would write it in the first
    place.  To have a venerable, respected manufacturer such as Digital
    become the fastest-growing joke material in the industry is not only
    alarming, but equally depressing.  Unfortunately, it is indicative of
    what our customers and our competitors are thinking...
    
    Personally, I (obviously, from .8) never thought it could be real.  On
    the other hand, it's great that (at least) we few survivors can laugh
    at ourselves, too!
    
    M.

    > Just to keep on the safe side, for the time being I will keep my
    > ears glued to CNN for updates.
    That's about as informative as putting your head in the toilet.
    
    ;^) of course.
    MadMike

    What I found interesting about .* is that Mr. Palmer is the butt of a
    joke in a Digital wide forum.  This tells me that the rank and file of
    this organization is soo disenchanted with Mr Palmer that they 
    accept/contribute/distribute public denigration of his activities.
    
                                     
    	-David

Not necessarily. It is not true for me that, if I make jokes
about X, then I must therefore have a wholly negative view
of X.  I am quite capable of making jokes about people
I like and whose abilities I respect.   It's called "having a 
sense of humour" where I come from.

I plead the 5th Amendment on comments relating to the
people appearing in this notes string, though!  :-)

    
    .....rumour has it that even Mr. Palmer has a sense of humour
    
    hornET
    

    
    	No kidding. You have to these days, or else the tears won't stop.
    
    	Having some fun is OK. Most of us out here in the field still
    maintain our sense of humour in spite of all our problems. Sales people
    always believe that problems present opportunities. I personally have
    the greatest respect for RP ( even had lunch with him at COE last year)
    and am convinced he has the toughest job in corporate America today.
    
    	However, Bill Clinton doesn't know diddly, so why won't RP try to
    straighten him out?
    
    		the Greyhawk

        I checked with Jon Callas (who posted the topic note to an
        Internet mailing list he maintains), and although he no longer has
        the original, he recalls receiving a couple of different copies,
        each of which had the "original forwarding nuked" notation.  He is
        not sure he knows who wrote it, and suspects that the author may
        be the person who included the "forwarding downsized" comment.  It
        may even have originated at Digital :^)
        
        So, can we turn this into an urban legend?  Steve is usually very
        good at spotting (almost wrote stopping) those..
        
        Tom

    I saw this posted in another conference -- it was in the "humor" string.  

Re: .20

This doesn't classify as an "urban legend" to me.  It was clear from the
outset (at least to me) that this was a humor piece.  The only oddity was
the attribution to PC Week.

I suppose, though, that this could be likened to people who hear that,
for example (and I'm just making this up), Bob Palmer appeared on Geraldo and
admitted that he's a closet philatelist.  (And he perambulated his sister,
too!)

I suppose the notion of Palmer meeting with Clinton is itself at least
plausible, but the rest?  Come on!

					Steve

    The reason I believe it must have started at Digital is the reference
    to TFSO, which would have been called layoff anywhere outside DEC.
    
    ..Larry
    
    >>National headcount                Must be cut by  min. 20%. Clinton
    >>					would like to see a smaller, more
    >>					profitable US. TFSO package for     
    >>                                 	people to move to Europe and Mexico.
    
    

Re. Note 3165.23 DPDMAI::ROSE 
>    The reason I believe it must have started at Digital is the reference
>    to TFSO, which would have been called layoff anywhere outside DEC.
    
>    ..Larry
    
Actually, "fired" is more accurate. Layoff implies a temporary condition.
    
    
    /Bob

    Of course the basenote is authentic. I suppose no one believe what they
    read in  "National Enquirer" either.
    
    BTW,
    I have some metric crescent wrenches for sale to anybody interested.
    
    Russ

    The European edition of the relevant PC Week also quotes that Clinton
    was also seriously thinking of downsizing the US to 80 million or
    so.
    
    The rest would be moved to the outer islands of Polynesia and would
    recieve a 4 week training as TV evangelists. Apparently Digital
    is being asked to provide a bid for its leading edge video servers
    and networking to supporting the exponential increase in evangelist
    services that this move would create.
    
    They would also be provided with free soccer balls and a complimentary
    brochure: Now I've Got The Ball What Do I Do With It? A simple
    multiple choice questionair guides the reader to a thorough knowledge
    of the sport. Sample Question:
    
    Now I've Got The Ball What Do I Do With It?
    
    	a. Kick It.
    	b. Eat It.
    	c. Sit On It.
    	d. Take It Home.
    	e. Shout "Look Ma, No Hands"
    
    
    re roelof
    

    
    	This makes perfect sense, Roelof.
    
    	Since SUN is the "proud computer sponsor" of the world cup, we
    should be much more active in tele-evangelism. Maybe get Jimmy
    Swiggert, or Tammy Whatsherface (with the heavy make-up) from the PTL
    Club, to do our ads.
    
    	Personally I believe Digital is downsizing to JUST managers. Then
    they can blame each other.
    
    		the Greyhawk