guerra@lll-crg.llnl.gov (Frank M. Guerra) (07/07/89)
I haven't seen anything formally, but I met someone the other day who indicated that Jobs had announced plans for a color board that was due to ship before the end of next summer. I would have dismissed this if not for the fact that a NeXT rep was also aware of the statement. It usually takes quite some time for the word to get down to me, so I'm sure that someone else must have more to say on this than I have. Anyone? Frank
phd_ivo@gsbacd.uchicago.edu (07/08/89)
In article <28150@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV>, guerra@lll-crg.llnl.gov (Frank M. Guerra) writes... >I haven't seen anything formally, but I met someone the other day who >indicated that Jobs had announced plans for a color board that was due >to ship before the end of next summer. First, I want to say that during my use of a NeXT for more than a month now, I find it to be quite a pleasant environment to work in. My comparisons are PC-based, not versus Sun. But, despite the OS only being 0.9, it is a sound, reasonably fast workstation for personal use. I'd even take this OS which is still in development anytime over a Mac or PC. Second, I appreciate the support of the NeXT folks via this medium, and via the university route. Third---and here it comes---I wish there was a little bit less of all the marketing hype, and a little bit more in terms of announcements of what NeXT is actively considering. Not a binding commitment, but, for example, a simple statement that NeXT is aware of its floating point limitations and is looking into solutions or addon boards---which will not make curent buyers get stuck with obsolete equipment. Or a statement about possible color upgrades---although I don't require it myself. Or a statement that NeXT is actively considering (or NOT considering) providing an upgrade path to future NeXT stations (e.g. 68040 board swaps). I would think that publizising such intentions (not formal announcements) would provide buyers with more incentives to actually acquire a NeXT now---and it's the establishment of a critical mass of workstations SOON that I believe NeXT should be concerned about now. Just an opinion... Ivo Welch phd_ivo@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
guerra@lll-crg.llnl.gov (Frank M. Guerra) (07/08/89)
>First, I want to say that during my use of a NeXT for more than a month >now, I find it to be quite a pleasant environment to work in. My comparisons >are PC-based, not versus Sun. But, despite the OS only being 0.9, it is >a sound, reasonably fast workstation for personal use. I'd even take this >OS which is still in development anytime over a Mac or PC. I agree entirely. I have used Macs since the advent of the Mac 512 and find the NeXT aesthetically more appealing in terms of appearance and usage. It's impossible to rate it in terms of productivity since there is a lack of applications (and I don't mean unix apps) that are currently available. However, if I were a student (well, I guess that I'll always be a student), I'd rate the cube as the best tool available for any course, technical or otherwise, that I have ever taken (notwithstanding courses that required usage of a particular package on a particular campus machine). > >Second, I appreciate the support of the NeXT folks via this medium, and >via the university route. Again, total agreement. > >Third---and here it comes---I wish there was a little bit less of all the >marketing hype, and a little bit more in terms of announcements of what >NeXT is actively considering. Not a binding commitment, but, for example, >a simple statement that NeXT is aware of its floating point limitations >and is looking into solutions or addon boards---which will not make curent >buyers get stuck with obsolete equipment. Or a statement about possible >color upgrades---although I don't require it myself. Or a statement that >NeXT is actively considering (or NOT considering) providing an upgrade >path to future NeXT stations (e.g. 68040 board swaps). > >I would think that publizising such intentions (not formal announcements) >would provide buyers with more incentives to actually acquire a NeXT >now---and it's the establishment of a critical mass of workstations >SOON that I believe NeXT should be concerned about now. Personally, I think that the marketing hype has died down considerably and more attention is being spent in providing for a solid 1.0 release and for providing support for developers of new NeXT-specific applications, particularly those that focus on exploiting the sound capabilities of the machine. Also, I'm not sure that statements like those you recommend would be very productive. True, they are the kinds of things that other PC owners have often tried to wry out of the manufacturer, but from a manufacturer's point of view, it's not good business to give indications of what is currently under development. I think that competition has something to do with this, but it might also have to do with avoiding possible embarassment should other eventualities arise. As a user community, it is partially our responsibility to see that NeXT is aware of our needs, but ultimately, it is their responsibility to manage their business as best they see fit. Frank p.s. I have no doubt that all of the marketing hype will return once 1.0 hits the streets and more universites make the cube available for student purchase.