Date: Sat, 18 Dec 93 09:14:37 CST
Subject: Re: Letter to Cameca
From: johnf@ice

Dec 18, 1993

Tom:

It certainly looks like you had a successful meeting in SF last week. I
think the letter is excellent, with just the proper mix of flattering and
castigation.

A few points/questions:

First paragraph: Was there any distinction made between SX owners and
users (ie in our title)? Obviously there is (responsibility etc) with the
former being generally the core of the broader group of users, but I think
it should be clear that we are a users group.

Second paragraph: re lack of prompt and knowledgeable response. Maybe
add something regarding what happens once there is a response (warm body on
the scene). Was there any mention at the meeting of the poor
reputation/skills of specific service personnel? Most of my experience has
been with their top people (J-M. Pineau, Sam, Stefen), but the one "local"
guy (Roy from Michigan) who was here once really turned me off. Should we
mention that (general comment) or leave for later?

Along this line, I think we should document our (perceived)
shortcomings of these "local" service guys amongst ourselves and if
agreement is acheived about any particular one, we should communicate this
also (later) to Conte with recommendations.

Third paragraph: re routine maintenance schedule. First, they must agree
amongst themselves! I have gotten different suggestions from almost every
Cameca person who I've asked. (They preface the advice with "it depends how
much use the machine gets" - ok, certainly, but then they should give us
some suggestions like "after 5000 hours of operation" or 12 months" - and
attached to this comes the question why don't they have a "hv on" clock to
log the hours??


Fourth para: Yes

Fifth para: Yes. Ed Vicenzi (Princeton) and I have the new release/beta
version and there are still problems!!

I would agree that the letter should be sent out to a broader list of
SX50 owners/users; now the question is, who is that? Obviously, all the
folks who've expressed interest so far and are on the email list. But there
are also an equal number who aren't on the internet (or we don't know that
they are). While we certainly don't need the majority to sign it in order
to send Claude a "wake up" call, it might be worthwhile.

I can send you the internet address list of everyone on the list so far
so you want to broadcast the letter to get additional co-signers.

I suggest that each of us (the 6 at the meeting, me, and perhaps Ed
Vicenzi {who I've talked with alot and will give a copy of the letter for
his comments and whom will likely help if he can}) to take responsibility
for maybe 3-5 or so other SX50 labs not on the email list, give a simple
call/fax, wait a week and send the letter to Claude on January 3. I could
coordinate that.

Also, I'm glad that Brian Patrick was able to attend. What was discussed/
decided regarding the development of this users group? The UC Santa Barbara
folks had volunteered to send out a letter to everyone several months ago;
was anything decided?

Minor: obviously most folks who have expressed interest are in US and
Canada, but we do have on the email list 1 SX50 lab in Puerto Rico and 3 in
Brazil {who have been apparently orphaned by Cameca}: maybe we should call
ourselves the SX50 group of the Americas (or of the western hemisphere?).

John



John Fournelle
Electron Microprobe Lab Internet:johnf@geology.wisc.edu
Dept of Geology & Geophysics Telephone: (608) 262-7964
University of Wisconsin Fax: (608) 262-0693
1215 West Dayton Street Amateur radio: WA3BTA/9
Madison, WI 53706 (14.030, 21.030 mHz)