Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!portal!sv!moose From: moose@svc.portal.com Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: Boycott 68040 upgrades that include Lotus Improv Message-ID: <1990Oct17.180544.14075@svc.portal.com> Date: 17 Oct 90 18:05:44 GMT References: <123553@linus.mitre.org> Organization: Software Venture Lines: 32 In article <123553@linus.mitre.org> ramsdell@mitre.org writes: >Lotus is trying to make it illegal to write software even partially >compatible in its behavior with existing software. If you write a >program that does a simular job, they will sue you. This is not a >negligible threat; Lotus has already won such a lawsuit. > >In response to this threat, it is in our best interest to boycott >Lotus, or those organizations that support Lotus. In this case, I >urge you to refuse to buy a 68040 upgrade board (N7003) for you 68030 >based cube until NeXT unbundles Lotus Improv. Take a stand for >compatible interfaces! > >John D. Ramsdell > I am publically telling you to go away and leave us alone. Lotus has won no such lawsuit. They won a lawsuit against a company that claimed to be a Lotus clone for half the price. Paperback went out of their way to make their product look identical to Lotus and said as much. All of this is irrelevant. NeXT is not bundling Improv. Lotus is giving it away to everyone that gets an '040 NeXT. It's a promotional by Lotus, not NeXT. Therefore, punishing NeXT is not going to further your aims, whatever they might be. In a nutshell, you are a nut. Take it somewhere else and leave it there. -- Michael Rutman | moose@svc.portal.com Cubist | makes me a NeXT programmer Software Ventures | That's in Berkeley smile, you're on standard disclaimer |