chris@que.UUCP (Chris DeVoney) (08/05/85)
Phillip "Don" Estridge and his wife were among the 133 fatalities of the Delta crash in Dallas. Don Estridge was the IBM executive who took the fledgling Entry System Division group from five people to a $4.5 billion dollar business in only four years. Estridge was the most public figure IBM had in many years. Estridge has pleased to grant interviews and was very casual (for an IBM executive) with the press. Through his direction, the personal computer world gained a powerful competitor and new fuel for its growth. Regardless of personal opinions about the IBM PC box, the box legitimatized the 16-bit microcomputer world (Z80s & 6502s were the standard fare). The box established a standard for micros and set an evoluationary path that will be followed for many years. The power of large RAM, not processor "power," spawned new and innovated educational, entertainment, business and personal productivity programs. These programs brought fresh and potent uses of all computers to many new people. Estridge, working within one of the largest corporations of the world, kindled an entreprenerial sprit at IBM which will not occur again for many years. Through this work, a many billion dollar company produced a new standard in computing in less than 14 months. Few people could accomplish the same. Although I did not know him personally, I feel the microworld has sustained another loss. I think Don Estridge would enjoy being remembered for his role as architect of a machine which threw the microworld into the "next" generation. Phillip "Don" Estridge, dead in a airplane crash at the age of 47. R.I.P. -- Chris DeVoney voice: 317/842-7162 Que Corporation uucp: ihnp4!inuxc!que!chris Indianapolis, IN #include <trademarks.all && disclaimer.all> /* you know what these are for */