Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!decwrl!deccrl!news.crl.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!rust.zso.dec.com!stoppani
From: stoppani@rust.zso.dec.com (Pete Stoppani)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: GO OS vs. Microsoft Pen Windows
Keywords: go microsoft stylus notebook windows
Message-ID: <1445@rust.zso.dec.com>
Date: 19 Mar 91 02:19:08 GMT
References: <71335@microsoft.UUCP> <1991Mar18.190012.11311@zip.eecs.umich.edu>
Organization: DECwest, Digital Equipment Corp., Bellevue WA
Lines: 45

In article <1991Mar18.190012.11311@zip.eecs.umich.edu>, kamidon@zip.eecs.umich.edu (Keith Amidon) writes:
> [stuff deleted]
> right!  As a student,  I find the notebook metaphor around which the PenPoint
> operating system's GUI is built to be absolutely superb.  I have dreams of
> being able to sit in class, writing notes on a thin portable LCD screen,
> and then being able to go home and reorganize and append my own incites into
> them.  I can't imagine anything that could be less threatening to a
> [stuff deleted]

I pretty much feel the same as Keith.  The notebook metaphor is perfect
for my needs.  It seems like many of the basic applications (word processor,
appointment scheduler, drawing programs, communications program, etc) can
be seamlessly integrated into the notebook in a much more user-friendly 
manner than Windows.  Small, pocket versions could easily replace day timers 
and electronic personal organizers (sharp wizard and casio boss) because 
of the ease of use, flexibility  and handwriting recognition capabilities.

As much as I would like to see GO's system become very popular (and 
inexpensive :-) ) I'm certain that Microsoft's Pen Windows will be
the winner.  Mainly because, as has been mentioned, there is literally
a ton of software available for Windows based systems and because a lot
of companies have latched onto the Windows bandwagon.  It would be 
financially difficult for such companies to port software to something
as different as GO's system.  It seems like the only way for GO's system
to become popular (software-wise) is if a lot of inovative and
ambitious startups make some really good software for PenPoint.

If computer history is any indication then Pen Windows will succeed even
if the PenPoint is the superior product.  In the past it has rarely been the
case that the best computer products are the most popular.  I won't mention
any names to avoid a flame war but I'm sure you can all think of examples
(they are probably staring you in the face right now!).

Anyway, I hope GO's system makes it; after all, there is no  reason
we can't have three successfull personal computer systems (Apple, GO, Windows).
Hmmm, I suppose I ought to include Unix :-)

I wonder what will be Apple's contribution to the pen-based computer 
generation?

-- 
| Pete Stoppani          | stoppani@decwet.dec.com                   |
|  DECwest Engineering   | decwrl!fungus.enet!stoppani               |
|  Bellevue, WA          | stoppani@fungus.zso.dec.com               |
| "The wise learn more from fools than fools learn from the wise."   |