From: parallel@netcom.com (B. Mitchell Loebel)
Subject: The PARALLEL Processing Connection - What Is It?
Apparently-To: comp-parallel@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 18:47:29 GMT

The PARALLEL Processing Connection is an entrepreneurial 
association; we mean to assist our members in spawning very 
successful new businesses involving parallel processing.

Our meetings take place on the second Monday of each month at 
7:30 PM at Sun Microsystems at 901 South San Antonio Road in 
Mountain View, California. Southbound travelers exit 101 at San 
Antonio ; northbound attendees also exit at San Antonio and take the 
overpass to the other side of 101. There is an $8 visitor fee for non-
members and members ($40 per year) are admitted free. Our phone 
number is (408) 732-9869 for a recorded message about upcoming 
meetings.

Since the PPC was formed in late 1989 many people have sampled 
it, found it to be very valuable, and even understand what we're up 
to. Nonetheless, certain questions persist. Now, as we begin our 
fourth year of operation, perhaps we can and should clarify some of 
the issues. For example:

Q.  What is PPC's raison d'etre?
A.  The PARALLEL Processing Connection is an entrepreneurial 
organization intent on facilitating the emergence of new businesses. 
PPC does not become an active member of any such new entities, ie: 
is not itself a profit center.

Q.  The issue of 'why' is perhaps the most perplexing. After all, a 
$40 annual membership fee is essentially free and how can anything 
be free in 1992? What's the payoff? For whom?
A.  That's actually the easiest question of all. Those of us who are 
active members hope to be a part of new companies that get spun 
off; the payoff is for all of us -- this is an easy win-win! Since 
nothing else exists to facilitate hands-on entrepreneurship, we 
decided to put it together ourselves. 

Q.  How can PPC assist its members?
A.  PPC is a large technically credible organization. We have close 
to 100 paid members and a large group of less regular visitors; we 
mail to approximately 500 engineers and scientists (primarily in 
Silicon Valley). Major companies need to maintain visibility in the 
community and connection with it; that makes us an important 
conduit. PPC's strategy is to trade on that value by forming alliances 
with important companies for the benefit of its members. Thus, as 
an organization, we have been able to obtain donated hardware, 
software, and training and we've put together a small development 
lab for hands-on use of members at our Sunnyvale office. Further, 
we've been able to negotiate discounts on seminars and 
hardware/software purchases by members. Most important, 
alliances such as we described give us an inside opportunity to 
JOINT VENTURE SITUATIONS.

Q.  As an attendee, what should I do to enhance my opportunities?
A.  Participate, participate, participate. Many important industry 
principals and capital people are in our audience looking for the 
'movers'!

For further information contact:

-- 
B. Mitchell Loebel                                      parallel@netcom.COM
PARALLEL Processing Connection                                 408-732-9869

Newsgroups: comp.parallel