Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!wuarchive!uunet!bu.edu!nntp-read!j From: j@bucsf.bu.edu (James Allard) Newsgroups: trial.misc.legal.software Subject: Re: Capitalist Software Tools Message-ID: Date: 15 Aug 90 17:46:39 GMT Sender: news@bu.edu.bu.edu Organization: Boston University Skateboarding Team Lines: 50 In-reply-to: brad@looking.on.ca's message of 15 Aug 90 07:19:11 GMT >>Electronic spreadsheets? You think it's super obvious today, but I was >>one of the people demonstrating VisiCalc when it was launched in 1979 >>at NCC in New York. Then you should remeber how "similar" 1-2-3's menu tree was to VisiCalc's. When I first sat down with 1-2-3, I got around pretty quickly with my knowledge of VC's functions, menus, etc.... I'd have to say that Lotus was "inspired".... >>*Nobody* is coming up with the identical Lotus 1-2-3 menu tree >>independently. ...... >>While I am not keen on it, I can see Lotus' case here pretty well. >>They designed a menu tree, which one can easily depict on a piece of >>paper. Yeah, but Lotus didn't really come up with their own either..... >>The only reason to duplicate that tree is to take advantage of the >>immense effort Lotus has put into gaining and training customers who use >>that system. Not to innovate. I agree wholeheartedly. It's jumping on the bandwagon. But aren't PC clone manufacturers just as (ir)responsible? I don't disagree with Brad's points. However, with all of this discussion about Lotus' lawsuit, I must admit that I'm surprised at how little VC was mentioned. Does anyone know anything about what VisiCorp is doing today, or where they stand in this debate? I'd be interested in hearing about it. One more (small) point: Since there is a finite number of say, two-stoke keyboard sequences on a 101 key keyboard, say n, then is it impossible for n+1 manufacturers to produce applications w/o fear of lawsuits? I really find this whole issue tough to swallow. Just a curious kid, I don't claim to know anything (much). -- =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= J. Allard A funny thing about regret is 109 Peterborough St. #12A That it's better to regret something Boston, MA 02215 You *have* done (617) 424-8818 Then to regret something You *haven't* done And by the way..... =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-= =-+-=