It sure looks like things are getting better

And why not you ask? Everyone with at least a high school education knows that things run in cycles... that history repeats itself. So why should TPF be excluded from the grand scheme of things' Actually, it's not, and I'm here today to announce that things are actually starting to get better. Now before you break out the champagne and streamers, let's make sure we're all assessing the situation from the same vantage point.

I've taken the liberty of pointing fingers and criticizing almost everyone in the industry for their efforts (or lack of efforts) regarding TPF in many of my previous editorials. Surely some of you have asked yourselves; "What could have started this journalistic purging?"

A. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York
B. Being a teenager in the '60s
C. Standing up for what you believe is right
D. Intolerance for complacency
E. All of the above

And if you've asked that question, inevitably you will also ask; "What gives him the right to say those things?"

A. He's the Editor-in-Chief
B. He's the owner of the publication
C. He's been completely truthful
D. The Constitution of the United States
E. All of the above

So now that that's out of the way, let's get back to the topic at hand. As editor of ACP·TPF Today, I have the advantage of a global perspective regarding the TPF/ALCS industry. I'm constantly in touch with IBM, developers, programmers, managers, human resource people, and other TPF related vendors. What I'm seeing and hearing lately gives every indication of an "upswing" in the business. For example...

• Rumor has it that an announcement is forthcoming about a new TPF shop which will be running a new (for TPF) application.
• The grapevine is humming about "not 1, but 2" new ALCS shops in the US close to signing licensing agreements.
• Organizational changes at the Poughkeepsie Development Lab are a healthy sign of renewed commitment to TPF and ALCS by IBM. Closer to "home", requests for advertising space from shops, recruiters and vendors all over the world continue to come into our office. There's more work to be done, more money budgeted to hire, and more opportunities available than we've seen in several years.

A sense of stability seems to pervade, and while there will always be shops who will choose to leave TPF for legitimate business reasons, the attrition has slowed dramatically and is likely to be completely offset with the announcement of new customers.

What I believe is important is the reality that business decisions are now being made which will positively influence the direction of the technology. The days of sliding backward because of poor management are over, and the days of standing still because of irresponsible indecisiveness are over as well. This is the time for progress. This is the time for growth. This is the time to contribute and to share in the success. And as long as I'm on the subject of contributing...

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge an individual who receives little if any recognition for his efforts. Paul Austin is the Managing Editor of the TPF Systems Technical Newsletter published by the Development Lab in Poughkeepsie, NY. Many of the articles that appear in ACP·TPF Today are reprinted (with IBM's permission) from this publication. As a "fellow editor", I know how much time and effort goes into the preparation of any technical publication, and I'm also well aware of the problems and obstacles that can sneak up and bite you.

In addition to his normal responsibilities in the TPF Customer Service area, Paul has managed to consistently meet his deadlines and provide a quality product. On behalf of our readers and myself, I want to take this opportunity to say "thank you" for your contribution, and the contributions of those technicians in the Lab who have taken the time to share their knowledge and expertise with the rest of us in the field.

Alan Sadowsky