Robert Gingell declares that as a board member he would emphasize both open systems standards and the need to educate customers about using these standards in real-world solutions. He also suggests that UniForum might develop specialized events and educational programs that are more precisely targeted to UniForum members and their needs.
In addition to his work at Sun Microsystems, Gingell has participated on the boards of standards organizations such as the X/Open Co. and the Open Software Foundation. He was also instrumental in the recent formation of The Open Group. Gingell feels that standards organizations serve a vital function in the open systems community. "The industry and its consumers don't always relate very well with each other in terms of how to use open systems. Users need to know what to ask for."
At the same time, these standards need to be a part of actual implementations. Gingell points out that there are a variety of standards and procurement guides that are used as check-offs in computer acquisitions, but the technology listed in these guides is not necessarily a part of the final implementation. "The customers ask about these features. Then they don't use them and wonder why the system doesn't work." He adds, "We need to clarify these standards so they are actually used in reality."
Education is especially important for open systems, Gingell adds, because the technology has been developed from a highly complicated, pluralistic society. That is one of its strengths, he stresses, but this complexity also creates extra requirements for continual education and discussion. "That's where UniForum comes in. It's a vehicle through which customers can understand exactly how open systems works." The technology, Gingell concedes, can be "chaotic" from a customer's point of view, but the Association is uniquely positioned to answer the important questions concerning what the technology does and how it can be applied in the real world.
Gingell would also like to see a more "targeted" approach for UniForum activities. Although he feels that the Association is still the "primary personal development organization in the industry," he points out that it is harder these days for customers to justify the travel and expenses required with national conferences. "Large conferences don't seem to be creating the same level of value these days," Gingell says. He argues that with a few exceptions like the Comdex shows, consumers are now responding more to events and messages targeted to a narrower range of concerns. UniForum might therefore concentrate on a "finer-grained set of activities" such as regional rather than national conferences, or additional partnering with other organizations in order to reach more specific audiences.
Don Harbert has been in the open systems business at Digital for over 10 years, much of that in helping the OpenVMS operating system expand in the high-end marketplace. He feels that this experience has given him a good sense of what the open systems community needs today. "Many of the problems are similar," he says. "Customers are demanding more integrated systems, they want components that work together and they are demanding solutions that address entire problems rather than individual bits and pieces."
As a board member, Harbert says that he would emphasize the importance of better systems integration and better systems engineering to help solve these problems. He would also emphasize the importance of coexisting with other technologies such as Windows NT. Asked to sum up why he is running, Harbert says that it is important that vendors in the Unix community have an active role in the policy and strategy of UniForum. "UniForum is a very important organization and, as a leading vendor, Digital feels that it should have representation on the board. We feel that we have a lot to contribute."
Part of Digital's contribution, Harbert explains, is marketing and technology experience that involves embracing Windows NT as an "emerging paradigm" in the computer industry. "I think it's vital for UniForum and its members to understand the importance of NT," he says. Although he feels that it is not clear how NT is going to be positioned in the long term, "the industry can't ignore it. That wouldn't be rational." He also points out that as a Digital representative and as a former manager of Digital's NT group, he could help members understand how the Unix community might deal with NT as it evolves in the customer base. He adds, "I personally think that coexistence is mandatory."
In terms of other UniForum activities, Harbert stresses the need to reach out to a broader constituency than the traditional Unix community. "We need to talk to the decision makers as well as the implementers." While retaining the technical programs designed for systems administrators or managers, UniForum also must create a wider range of educational channels for higher level executives, with both courses and documentation. As a result, he says, UniForum's message and information can reach the people who ultimately sign off on new systems and technology.
Fred Luiz offers an open-systems background involving research, product development and sales. If elected, he would like to stress (among other things) the continuing viability of Unix as an important, leading-edge technology. He also feels that UniForum might serve as a valuable forum for discussion among board members and general members.
Luiz joined Hewlett-Packard in 1982 and was part of the first RISC development team. He has served in a number of other positions at HP, with a strong focus in systems and network architecture. He feels that his experience at HP, and at IBM before that, helps him understand the difficulties that customers face in dealing with real-world problems. "We've talked to a lot of customers and worked with a lot of customers to understand what their needs are," says Luiz about his development and research experience. He would like to apply what he has learned in the field to his role as a board member.
Luiz also stresses that Unix, in particular, needs to be positioned as a viable technology for the 1990s. "If elected, I would want to put a lot of effort into dispelling the notion that Unix is 'old technology,' that it has reached its limits," he says. "It can continue to expand and incorporate new technologies and capabilities."
Does this mean that Unix should be developed to coexist with other proprietary technologies? Yes, replies Luiz, adding that this coexistence applies all the way from Internet services at one end to embedded solutions at the other. "I think UniForum can be a very good forum in which to enlarge the discussion in terms of the benefits of Unix to users. If we don't continue to remind ourselves that we need operating systems, we will lose focus."
In terms of an agenda for the next two years, Luiz suggested that UniForum should continue to broaden its channels of information and education. The UniForum Press is a good example, he says. He also suggests that board members might participate in a series of open exchanges concerning ideas and technical directions that are important to the open systems community. These exchanges might generate statements of consensus, for example, that can be used to further guide the community in the evolution of open systems products and markets. "Too often, we are engrossed in the areas where we can compete, rather than thinking how we can cooperate," says Luiz. "Perhaps we can start to change that."
Board of Directors Election Coming Soon!
UniForum members should watch their mailboxes in early June for their Board of Directors Election ballots. A slate of seven outstanding candidates is running for four seats.Your vote DOES count. Help direct the future of your organization: be sure to vote!