From: a218@mindlink.UUCP (Charlie Gibbs) Subject: What those proposals really mean I came across this while cleaning out some old files... PROPOSAL PHRASE MEANING --------------- ------- You are fortunate indeed to have If we don't get some revenue contacted a manufacturer who can from you this year we won't deliver the equipmentwithin the make our budget. six-month delivery period, which we estimate you require. We have carried out an exhaustive Look at the number of times and comprehensive survey of your we've taken you to lunch. problems. Furthermore, in a multiprogramming We can't do it on one machine. environment,two machines would offer an element of parallel processing which would not otherwise be possible on any computer equipment you are likely to consider. We cannot overemphasize the We have no floating-point importance of this decimal hardware. arithmetic capability. Our third-generation equipment There will be no local backup. provides the highest standard of reliability. While we have not been shown detailed We can't understand your flow charts and description of your specification, but the last production control systems, we one we did took four hours. estimate that the computer time required each week should not exceed four hours. No detailed knowledge of the You will have to hire interface to the communications a specialist who can network is required by the user's understand it. programming staff. Using our high-level COBOL compiler, 02 NICTRB REDEFINES SLSGTB programs can now be written in the PIC X(30). English language. This particular peripheral is We don't make it, and never available on a purchase-only basis. want to see it again once you have bought it. Local backup with comparable We are hoping to sell a installations will be provided. similar configuration to another company 350 miles away. The software we have recommended is We will start writing it as in the advanced development stage. soon as you sign the order. The equipment can be delivered to We cannot deliver a machine suit your requirements, but we for two years. estimate that you will not be ready to take delivery until considerable systems work has been carried out. Independent assessment has rated If you don't want our computer our data preparation equipment please buy our keypunches. among the best available. In accordance with our policy of We hereby divest ourselves of progressive improvement, the right any responsibility for what we is reserved to alter any detail of have said, written, or are price, specification, or terms about to say or write. without notice. (Taken from the October 1968 issue of Datamation)