In a year that is marked by the loss of HP's labs, the 3000 community can give thanks for the resources which remain. Community members can be thankful for one another, the ability to connect with experts, and the continued efforts of OpenMPE and advisors trusted to empower transitions.

HP's announcement of a licensing program for read-only source code might spark some gratitude as well. The level of thanks at the moment hovers around hope, since no deals have been struck yet or code distributed. The vendor is opening up its intellectual property to possible license. The magnitude of the offer will be determined next year, but it's a start.

The generosity that you can count on today, this week, and this year flows from your community. This collective of wise, patient and seasoned individuals and companies supplies real value to your 3000 experience. An independent support team, or the honed skills of a migration services provider, or the resolute business plan of a software vendor which still offers maintenance contracts: This is what you can give thanks for today, this day when the US celebrates Thanksgiving.

You can ensure there's just as much to be thankful for next year, too. As of today, there's one under-thanked organization which has earned more respect. HP told its customers that OpenMPE played a vital part in the plan to release MPE/iX source code as reference material. HP's e3000 lab director Ross McDonald said that "We also want to take this opportunity to again recognize the OpenMPE Board for their continued advocacy on behalf of the HP e3000 customers who are continuing to use their systems through this end-of-life period."

OpenMPE is built of volunteers, but the organization will need to make ends meet soon if it's to continue to do the work it has accomplished up to now, plus shoulder the loss of HP assets like Invent3k and Jazz.