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From: jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R. Carbin)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Does Anyone Know the Real Scoop About the DEC Rainbow?
Message-ID: <1534@ritcv.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Feb-85 00:16:14 EST
Article-I.D.: ritcv.1534
Posted: Fri Feb 15 00:16:14 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 18-Feb-85 05:42:02 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Lines: 40


Headline on Page D4 of The New York Times; Tuesday, February 12, 1985 -
"Product Abandoned by Digital" - "Rainbow Plant Being Refitted" - excerpt
from article included: "...[DEC] conceded yesterday that it has ceased 
production of its Rainbow personal computer." 

In the Wall Street Journal on page 63; Wednesday, February 13, 1985 -
"Digital Equipment fell 4 7/8  to 117 with nearly 1.5 million shares
changing hands.  The company confirmed  that it had stopped production 
of the Rainbow personal computer line.  The company said it objected to
'abandon' the line, but some market participants persisted in that 
interpretation."

A call to the Rochester Marketing Office of DEC resulted in a statement that
they knew nothing about the situation, but hoped to have clarification within
a few days.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that at DEC-World 85 held in Boston in
December, a representative from VenturCom Inc. indicated that a Rainbow
version of Venix would be released soon.

In addition, DEC just offered to a number of Rainbow owners the opportunity
to "trade up" some of their present hardware.  Hardly seems very ethical if
DEC had indeed already decided to "abandon" the line.

Just what is going on?  Statements like, "DEC still supports PDP-8's are
hardly encouraging."  At what cost does DEC continue to support DPD-8's?

Certainly with the number of DEC people on the net, someone should be able
to shed a little more light on this situation.  I am sure that many Rainbow
owners would like to know.

as ever,

j.r.             {allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jrc

p.s.  It is estimated that approximately 1,500 DEC Rainbows are owned by
      either the Institute, faculty, staff, or students at R.I.T.   I
      wonder if DEC realizes the impact of not fully disclosing their
      intent with regard to their reputation.