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From: burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: A different View of the value of OS/2 - it's better than UNIX
Message-ID: <502@parcvax.Xerox.COM>
Date: Tue, 15-Sep-87 14:08:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: parcvax.502
Posted: Tue Sep 15 14:08:00 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Sep-87 06:49:15 EDT
References: <494@parcvax.Xerox.COM> <680@hsi.UUCP>
Reply-To: burton@parcvax.xerox.com.UUCP (Philip M. Burton)
Organization: Xerox PARC
Lines: 37
Keywords: it's only your career at stake

In article <680@hsi.UUCP> tankus@hsi.UUCP (Ed Tankus) writes:
>
>Now the bottom line is this:  OS/2, U*IX, or ABCD operating system will NOT
>take over the world.  Over time, each will have its own market, and hopefully,
>enough overlap, that we will start moving towards a more homogenous environment.
>This is not possible now and maybe not in 5 years.  But let's face it, we will

Brave noises from someone who probably doesn't remember the plethora of OS's
that existed for micros *for the business world* prior to 1981.

There was CP/M, of course, but there was also the P-system.  INcidentally,
IBM offerred these two in addition to DOS by IBM when the PC first came out.
There was also OS-9, the Apple DOS, one or more for various TRS-80 models,
and probably some others forgotten by history.


>make our own choices based on what is easier for us as individuals, as 

Only the truly independently wealthy can say that.  Others must consider 
spouses, children, empllyees and employers, and mortgage-holders.

>business people, educators, and corporations.  Time will tell what operating
>system will be prevalent and in which market.  Afterall, the marketplace
>determines the size and shape and quantity of what sells.  The marketplace

By now, you shouldhave some notion that various market forces will favor
OS/2 over UNIX.  (Just ask Lotus or Ashton-Tate what their product plans
are.  -) -). )

Sure, UNIX will continue to have a "niche" role.  And I still like it.
But I'm not goin  to bet the ranch on it.


-- 
Philip Burton       burton@parcvax.COM   ...!hplabs!parcvax!burton
Xerox Corp.         preferred path: burton.osbunorth@xerox.COM
408 737 4635   ... usual disclaimers apply ...