Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!ncar!tank!phd_ivo@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
From: phd_ivo@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Rumors, rumors, rumors...
Message-ID: <4327@tank.uchicago.edu>
Date: 7 Jul 89 19:36:30 GMT
Sender: news@tank.uchicago.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Lines: 33

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