Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!sharkey!oxtrap!time
From: time@oxtrap.UUCP (Tim Endres)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.aux
Subject: Re: Future direction of A/UX?
Message-ID: <6408@oxtrap.UUCP>
Date: 19 May 89 15:32:15 GMT
References: <4036@emory.mathcs.emory.edu> <7304@hoptoad.uucp> <30843@apple.Apple.COM> <7359@hoptoad.uucp>
Reply-To: time@oxtrap.UUCP (Tim Endres)
Organization: Ocwen Trading, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, MI
Lines: 35

John Gilmore responds to Phil Ronzone at Apple:
   Where is the A/UX software market?
   I [and GrassHopper I assume, TGE] need there to be more than 1500
   A/UX machines and I need a way to find them.

John's main point is correct and to the bone.

Apple has made obtaining A/UX one of the most difficult prospects
a Macintosh owner faces. I am still amazed at the EFFORT it took
me, a certified developer of 4 years with a need to develop a
large Unix based custom software system for Blue Cross Blue Shield,
to get a working A/UX system. I had the box, I had the drive, and
I know Unix, all I needed was the software. Well, that took 6 months
and a lot of money, and little help from Apple.
A Macintosh owner with a MacIIx and a large enough hard disk
should be able to load A/UX run time for less than $500.

When I discussed a nation wide health care system, for BCBS,
implementing automated benefit documents, it fell on deaf ears.
The potential for sales of over 200 A/UX systems wasn't good enough.
*** And we talked to Apple's person in charge of health care customers!

Then, to top it off!!! I still don't have a 1.1 upgrade!
I see people on the net every day who got 1.1 new, but those
who purchased 1.0 are still waiting. Thanks for the support Apple!

Moral of the story is:
If you want to develop for A/UX, you're on your own!

In Apple's defense, I must say the people who worked the A/UX hotline
and other A/UX technical people at Apple bend over backwards! No question.
But the marketing people are voiding that effort daily!

Disclaimer: You have the right to remain silent.
            Anything you say will be used against you.