Sorry Tom. I thought that you were busting my Balls the other day. But, now, I see that you were asking serious questions.
I reviewed many old posts. Within the 600s there is talk about Del posting. So, I looked for them and can only surmise that he posted under the name "Aspect" (which was a trial membership). It seems that he tried to answer specific products and quality issues. Perhaps, two other Borland executives also posted technical answers under "Trial Memberships." But, they stopped almost as soon as they began.
I also listened to the Conference Call after our give-and-take and realize that you were referring to Dale's reference to "supporters on the messages boards". Yes, he and others are monitoring what is being discussed. Do I have a problem with it? No, because I'm acquainted with Fortune 500 executives and I know that they monitor these boards also. I guess it is only human. Plus, it is so new and pervasive now that it would almost be silly to not avail oneself with an instant "feel" of what your "bosses" (i.e., the shareholder and customers) think about the company. In the past, companies would pay Fifth Avenue to do market research to get at the same "attitude info." While those market studies continue, it doesn't hurt to get the "knee-jerk" actions instantaneously.
Lastly, I think that Dale is doing a good job running the company. He had a lot to correct. I think that you have to say (objectively) that he's gotten us headed in the right direction. But, now in early 2000, he needs to go up-and-down Wall Street telling the INPR story to put Inprise/Borland back on the map. It is unacceptable to have only two small firms covering a quality company like Inprise. In the past, I believe that Hambrecht & Quist and Goldman Sachs used to cover Borland. We need those types of firms covering us again. |
