[comp.os.os2.misc] can it be?

tanith@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Michael D Kretzer) (01/30/91)

>The other day while driving home, I was jarred awake :-) by news
>on the radio (NY: WCBS) that Microsoft is dropping
>OS/2, and concentrating on Windows, because of it's relative popularity.
>
>Is this true?
>
>WHat does this bode for the future of OS/2?

This is either a vicious rumor or an outright lie!  (according to my miniscule
source capabilities, i.e. I am NOT affiliated with either Microsoft or IBM).
SO WHAT DO I KNOW!------NOTHING!


As far as what the most recent issue of OS/2 & Windows Magazine says,
IBM & Microsoft have made attempts at reaffirming their joint licensing
agreement, and although not all differences have been resolved, to date 
the major ones (i.e. Microsoft dropping OS/2) have been resolved.
OS/2 & Windows Magazine goes on further to say that Windows will eventually
become an OS/2 "shell", since all Windows is just a DOS shell anyway.
OS/2 will become Windows and Windows will become OS/2 (the twain shall meet
finally, and all will be groovy!)  (I don't have the magazine in front of me 
right now, so I can't make specific references, but...
They also say that one indication of this is the recent release of the
software kit that allows developers to more easily port Windows applications
to OS/2.  Also, future versions of windows seem to be approaching what OS/2 is
NOW, anyway.   As far as I know, Microsoft has no intentions of totally
dropping OS/2, but obviously they will be pursuing development for their
more lucrative Windows projects.
Well, that's my 2 cents worth!

cfreas@csws5.ic.sunysb.edu (Terry Freas) (01/31/91)

In article <9209@uwm.edu> tanith@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Michael D Kretzer) writes:
>>The other day while driving home, I was jarred awake :-) by news
>>on the radio (NY: WCBS) that Microsoft is dropping
>>OS/2, and concentrating on Windows, because of it's relative popularity.
>>
>>Is this true?
>>
>>WHat does this bode for the future of OS/2?
>
>This is either a vicious rumor or an outright lie!  (according to my miniscule
>source capabilities, i.e. I am NOT affiliated with either Microsoft or IBM).
>SO WHAT DO I KNOW!------NOTHING!
>
> [OS/2 & Windows magazine print of the latest joint license aggreement
>  deleted]

We've been hearing rumors like this for some time, however, MS is now
releasing all three platforms (OS/2, Windows, and Mac) simultaneously.
No more Windows first stuff.  Unfortunately, that doesn't mean *real*
OS/2 apps or just Windows ports.  Anyone from MS want to comment on
what is really being affected?

-- 
Jeremy Wohl / wohl@max.physics.sunysb.edu / cfreas@csserv1.ic.sunysb.edu

joeb@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Joe Barnhart) (02/05/91)

I'm afraid all this confusion resulted from an unfortunate Wall St. Journal
article that "scooped" the world by announcing MS was dropping OS/2.  MS
immediately denied the report, but the damage was already done.

There is one kernal of truth in the rumor: Although MS is committed to OS/2
it apparently feels no such committment to Presentation Manager.  This puts
Microsoft's strategy at odds with IBM, who still sees PM as essential to 
their SAA strategy.

If MS has its way, PM will die after OS/2 ver 2.0, to be replaced with the
Windows API.  This is sad news, indeed, for OS/2 developers, as the Windows
API is to PM what the DOS API is to OS/2...

-- Joe B.

P.S.  All opinions....  milage may vary....  etc. etc.

jack@cscdec.cs.com (Jack Hudler) (02/06/91)

In article <11750001@hpnmdla.HP.COM> joeb@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Joe Barnhart) writes:
>
>There is one kernal of truth in the rumor: Although MS is committed to OS/2
>it apparently feels no such committment to Presentation Manager.  This puts
>Microsoft's strategy at odds with IBM, who still sees PM as essential to 
>their SAA strategy.
>
>If MS has its way, PM will die after OS/2 ver 2.0, to be replaced with the
>Windows API.  This is sad news, indeed, for OS/2 developers, as the Windows
>API is to PM what the DOS API is to OS/2...

PM should be dead, and Windows re-written with a better API interface,
and placed on to of OS/2.
Microsoft should have never allowed IBM to force PM on what is an
excellent operating system. SAA what a joke!

Heres my vote for PM, (from my favorite General) cut it off, and kill it!

-- 
Jack           Computer Support Corporation             Dallas,Texas
Hudler         Internet: jack@cscdec.cs.com