amthor@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu (Geoffrey Amthor) (12/11/89)
This has come up before, but I've yet to hear a definitive answer: Will IBM's new workstation line (to be introduced early next year) run NeXTStep? I suspect that if it did, the NeXT application software picture would greatly improve, considering the presumably large user base that a major IBM line would draw. But the question is, in the light of IBM and Microsoft recently cozying up after almost splitting up the relationship, is IBM willing to gamble hurting that relationship and confusing its SAA marketing picture by supporting the technically superior product that is NeXTStep? And if IBM supports NeXTStep, will it do so enthusiastically? Please, no IBM flames. NeXT needs IBM's marketing credibility. (Ali & Avi: can *you* share IBM's plans?) I'm also curious about the timing of upcoming announcements. Anybody have a good idea when to expect the IBM introduction? I have a hunch that NeXT's expected early '90 announcement of the color NeXT is good ol' IBM FUD--or fear, uncertainty and doubt. Just when IBM's rolling out the new line, out comes NeXT with what it will profess is a better product. It probably *will* be better than IBM's, but the problem is, when will NeXT's product be delivered? 1991?
smb@datran2.uunet (Steven M. Boker) (12/12/89)
According to what I have been told by reliable sources, the new IBM workstation will run NeXTStep as an option. It is unclear if there will be an additional charge to add NeXTStep to the OSF motif environment that is already there. The new IBM RT could be a real boost to NeXTStep if it is a good, aggressively priced machine. I fear that the AS400 people are going to kill it before it can take a breath. Steve. smb@datran2.uunet.uu.net
langz@asylum.SF.CA.US (Lang Zerner) (12/13/89)
In article <286@ns-mx.uiowa.edu> amthor@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu (Geoffrey Amthor) writes: >...is IBM willing to gamble ... confusing its SAA marketing picture by >supporting the technically superior product that is NeXTStep? This is not exactly a flame on IBM (Geoff requested restraint), but when introducing a new technology IBM typically dumps several solutions onto the market and picks up the winner. This helps them to more often than others "create the new standard," since they create *most* standards and use the ones that hold. -- Be seeing you... --Lang Zerner langz@asylum.sf.ca.us UUCP:bionet!asylum!langz ARPA:langz@athena.mit.edu "...and every morning we had to go and LICK the road clean with our TONGUES!"