Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!noao!arizona!jtgorman
From: jtgorman@cs.arizona.edu (Quaestor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Not another NeXT defector???!!!
Message-ID: <500@caslon.cs.arizona.edu>
Date: 5 Nov 90 08:31:56 GMT
References: <3818@idunno.Princeton.EDU> <1990Nov4.161502.5342@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <Fazhj7$2@cs.psu.edu> <1990Nov4.201838.26983@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: U of Arizona CS Dept, Tucson
Lines: 31

In article <1990Nov4.201838.26983@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> khcg0492@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kenneth Holden Chang) writes:
>I think Next is approximately where the Mac was in 1985 when, despite its
>advantages over PCs in terms of interface, it wasn't clear at all whether it
>(or Apple) was going to survive. The Mac Plus finally provided enough
>horsepower to convince people it was a real computer and just not a cute toy.
>Hopefully, the new Nexts will do the same, but it's not a forgone conclusion
>simply because it has not happened yet.

  Mentioning the Macintosh GUI does point out one thing - when the Mac came
out, one main selling point was it's GUI - something that IBM couldn't match
then and it only starting to match now (NO Win 3 flames, please).
  Now with the NeXT looking for market share, it's GUI doesn't matter that much.NeXT can't say that their machine is easier to use than a Mac or Win3 (maybe
it is, I haven't used Win3).  I'm not saying that interface is what makes or
breaks a machine, but if the Mac didn't have a GUI, would it be here today?
Not a chance.

  Another posting pointed out that 'general-use' programs won't get written for
the NeXT unless there is a general public that uses the Next.  Most of the
prices we see quoted are University prices, so does anyone know what Joe on the
Street pays for a Next?  It's Joe that makes a computer stay around.  Joe can
buy an IBM clone dirt cheap and a Classic for a grand, but the thing that IBM
and Mac have over NeXT is that Joe needs to spend 3-4 grand to get *started*.
  Imagine you are a brand new user.  Will you shell out 4 grand for a computer?
Heck, you might not ever spend a grand to get a Classis, for those clones are
so cheap, it's not funny.
  So, the NeXT might be a great machine, but will it survive in the *real*
world?  Are there any discount NeXT software houses?  That has to be the true
indicator of when a computer 'makes it.'

  Alright, that's all.  I'm putting on my asbestos underwear now, so flame
away...