While the success stories coming out of HP’s advice to get off the 3000 were still invisible, the company did reveal coupons that reduce the cost of learning about Unix to zero. A set of Fundamentals classes offered over the Web on administering Unix are free to customers who have received HP’s e-coupons by standard mail during the last week or so. HP’s list prices make the classes to be taken over the Web a $2,221 value. However, HP e3000 Transition Program Manager Mark Pollans said another, more extensive level of training, the In-Depth classes on Unix, “is the minimum recommended HP-UX curriculum” according to HP’s education experts. These In-Depth classes aren’t free, because they’re instructor-led classes offered in HP offices.

The Quick Start to Unix course, and three HP-UX from an MPE Perspective courses covering system and usage configuration, networks and the HP Eloquence database are free, along with a Unix Foundation Technology Curriculum. Customers who get an e-coupon can use it at www.education.hp.com/curr-mpe-e3000.htm. If you didn’t get your coupon, Pollans said you can send an e-mail asking for it to e3000.training@hp.com.