Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!agate!ziploc!eps
From: eps@toaster.SFSU.EDU (Eric P. Scott)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Next Wish List
Message-ID: <1031@toaster.SFSU.EDU>
Date: 22 Nov 90 03:01:13 GMT
References: <2489.274A5E64@blkcat.fidonet.org> <1542@berlioz.nsc.com>
Reply-To: eps@cs.SFSU.EDU (Eric P. Scott)
Organization: San Francisco State University
Lines: 33

IMHO, It's usually a mistake to ask for particular programs "by
name" as opposed to particular functionality--you're likely to
end up with relatively crippled software.  The NeXT is a far more
capable machine than PCs and Macs, and it's just plain stupid to
try and clone the old stuff.  (Politics notwithstanding) I think
Lotus set a very good example by producing Improv rather than
1-2-3.  Improv will import 1-2-3 files, so your investment is
protected, but it's sooo much of an improvement over what it
replaces.

We have better <wordprocessors, databases, spreadsheets,
you-name-it> already.  If you keep asking vendors for CRAP you
are going to get CRAP (this is called "responding to market
demand").  "Well, we wanted to do things that exploited the
unique features of the machine, but our customers kept telling
us they wanted CRAP, so what were we to do?  It's a good thing
our competitors think the same way or our sales would be in the
toilet."  Hogwash!  I really don't think companies can get away
with this unless there are enough customers "stupid enough to cut
their own throats"--it's very expensive to bring a product to
market, and any company that can't GUARANTEE enough sales of
wimpified software is going to lose bigtime as soon as someone
trivially fills that market niche with a vastly superior product.

BTW, When companies do develop "the same" program for multiple
platforms they report that it's much easier for the NeXT.  Adobe
is showing off Illustrator 3.0 for the Mac for BMUG (local Mac
user group) tonight.  They showed it for the NeXT TWO MONTHS AGO
for BaNG (local NeXT user group), at which time they couldn't
announce a date for Mac availability.  I think we're going to see
more stories like this.

					-=EPS=-