The International Phoenix Alliance

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The International Phoenix Alliance (IPA) has grown out of a group that met with a number of IBM personnel prior to the Technical Interchange in Phoenix in Feb.-Mar. 1993. This group consisted of a number of OS/2 users who were concerned about the directions that IBM was taking with OS/2 support and maintenance. They asked IBM to meet with them and discuss these issues. Since these meetings, there has been a continuing interest in thisarea, and discussions have taken place among the members of this group about these issues, and the fact that for OS/2 really to survive and grow it must spread into the home and smaller company environment not just the Fortune 500 environment. These individuals felt that it was important to provide the small users with an organization that could voice concerns, ideas, and feedback, to the developers of OS/2, WorkPlace Shell, and OS/2 products, much the same as Share & Guide provide for the larger corporate user. It is hoped that The International Phoenix Alliance can provide at least part of that voice.

The International Phoenix Alliance is actively seeking a cooperative relationship with IBM and other OS/2 software developers to further the concerns, and ideas of the smaller user, and to provide insight from these users to the OS/2 development community.

The IPA will provide a forum which can provide a conduit for information flow between the OS/2 user community and IBM, and other OS/2 software and service developers.

With the wide distribution of the membership, which already includes two countries and the interest shown during an initial survey from several others, we do not see this group holding many physical monthly meetings. Rather, IPA will establish electronic based communications for its members. Most likely, the first of these will be through Talklink/OS2BBS and then spread out to other venues such as Compuserve, Internet, and possibly some local bulletin boards. These forums will provide a place for the user to get information from other users, express concerns, and voice opinions. These same forums will provide the means for members to vote on issues, receive IPA newsletters, and download information on discounts for products and services related to OS/2. For those members who do not have access to the electronic forums, alternative means of delivery will be available.

Membership in the group is open to any user of OS/2 who wishes to promote and further the usage of the product. While the stated goal of the IPA is a 'Voice for the small user', we encourage and welcome all users, from the individual home user to the small business owner, from the IS professional working at a major corporation to the college student. IPA wants the participation and input of anyone who wants to be involved in the future of OS/2.

Membership dues are $32 (US) per year, and provide for the following:

   1.  Access to IPA electronic forums
   2.  IPA Newsletters
   3.  Discounts on OS/2 software and services (in negotiation)

The International Phoenix Alliance Board of Trustees consists of:

   President:                     Eric Brunsen
   Vice President:                Robert Holmes
   Acting Secretary/Treasurer:    Jack Hiatt
   Board Member:                  Mike Andrews
   Board Member:                  Stan Hawkins
   Board Member:                  Peter Norloff
   Board Member:                  Barry Thomas

To contact the International Phoenix Alliance or the Board of Trustees:

   International Phoenix Alliance
   c/o Jack Hiatt
   107 Powder Mill St. 
   Dallas Ga.  30132

   Phone: 404-445-6453
   Eric Brunsen
   Station 15                        IBM OS/2 BBS:   TPA0001    
   Computer Services                 IBM OS/2 BBS:   WZ00190
   Eastern New Mexico University     IBM OS/2 BBS:   IL14761
   Portales NM 88130                 IBM Link:       IL14761@HONE81
   (505) 562-2694 work               IBM PCC BBS:    Eric Brunsen
   (505) 562-2349 fax                CompuServe:     70612,1446
   (505) 683-5302 home               Internet:
                                      Brunsene@email.enmu.edu 
   Jack Hiatt
   107 Powder Mill St.                IBM OS/2 BBS:  TPA0003    
   Dallas Ga. 30132                   IBM OS/2 BBS:  IL26761
                                      IBM Link:      IL26761 HONE81
   (404) 394-5665 ext.355 work        CompuServe:    74160,2565
   (404) 445-6453 home                PCCBBS         Jack Hiatt @
========================================================================
                  Enrollment Application
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                  The Phoenix Alliance
 
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Please complete and mail with your check/money order for $32.00(US) for
1st years dues to:

   The Phoenix Alliance
   c/o Jack Hiatt
   107 Powder Mill St.
   Dallas Ga. 30132