HP User Organization Disbands, Cancels Show

After 31 years in existence -- going back to the 16-bit computer days -- the independent HP user's group, Interex, has called it quits. Even 100,000 members could not support the annual Interex show next month in San Francisco. With poor finances and lack of interest, Interex packed it in.

Even though Interex is independent of HP, the fact that the company-focused user group folded does not send a strong positive message about the HP ecosystem. It looks to me like the HP game plan is: downsize, set the strategy, then execute. The downsizing phase is well underway, with thousands of HP employees looking over their shoulder for the pink slips. However, if the company's customers aren't even enthusiastic enough to hold a conference on the present and future of the world's second largest computer company, you have to wonder how hard a job HP is really facing when they get to the execute phase?