NetNews Offline 2/NetNews Offline Volume 2.iso/news/comp/sys/amiga/misc-part2/11850

Internet Message Format | 1996-08-05 | 4.6 KB

Path: jobe.shell.portal.com!jcompton
From: [e-mail] (Jason - Compton)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc,comp.sys.amiga.applications,comp.sys.amiga.hardware,comp.sys.amiga.marketplace,comp.sys.amiga.games,comp.sys.amiga.introduction
Subject: Re: Wonder Computers International Launched
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.misc,comp.sys.amiga.applications,comp.sys.amiga.hardware,comp.sys.amiga.marketplace,comp.sys.amiga.games,comp.sys.amiga.introduction
Date: 11 Apr 1996 04:58:01 GMT
Organization: Portal Communications Company -- 408/973-9111 (voice) 408/973-8091 (data)
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Stephen Bowie accidentally did a "reply-mail" instead of a "follow-up" to
this message and asked that I post it here.  I left the mail headers
intact just so nobody thinks it's part of another conspiracy.

From [e-mail] Wed Apr 10 17:53:18 1996
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From: [e-mail] (Stephen Bowie)
To: [e-mail] (Jason - Compton)
Subject: Re: Wonder Computers International Launched
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc,comp.sys.amiga.applications,comp.sys.amiga.hardware,comp.sys.amiga.marketplace,comp.sys.amiga.games,comp.sys.amiga.introduction
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: As far as your "weasel" reference--suffice it to say that you've never met
: the man, I'll venture have never done business with him, and are totally
: and wholly unaware of what the past few months have meant to him.
: Shutting down the dream he built over the past few years wasn't a joyride.

Without getting involved in the "who owes whom what" debacle, I want to
make a couple of points here:

Let me preface my remarks by stating that while I have met most of the
Wonder principals over the past few years, I've never been in their
employ and am not now.

1) What has been stated by Jason as to the shock and surprise resulting
    from the banks sudden decision to bail out is certainly true.
    There absolutely was not any collusion to rip off anyone, and
    expansion plans were in the process of implementation.  There was
    no 'hunkering down ' which might typify a calculated move to
    protect one's own personal investment.

2) Mark, Rob, Steve et al are to a man fine, decent, hard working, and
    long suffering Amigaphiles.  They all suffered personally as a
    result of the 'fallout' in a variety of very real ways.

3) Even given the sad history of the last few months, Wonder contributed
    to the Amiga community in Canada more than any other single entity in
    the 'dark days' of the last several years.

4) There's not a shadow of doubt in my mind that if they were able,
    appropriate re-imbursement would be made.  Sadly, business and
    good wishes do not always travel the same road.

5) The personal investment made by Wonder shareholders/employees in both
     real and 'sweat' equity received the same harsh treatment as that
    of any creditor.


Nobody wanted this to happen....their main mistake seems to have been in
timing the 'big push' a little too early, perhaps only by a matter of
months.  This does not, IMHO, make them scum!


With an even break, Wonder can rebuild (obviously they will face some
obstacles, and guarantees may reasonably be sought).  No-one (well, few)
are cursing the Amiga name, though it went through a similar trial by
fire, and has yet to completely emerge.

I only lost a pittance, so understand that very real harm may have come
to a few.  Business is like that, and it's a shame.  But these are good
people, and I wish them well.


    Steve Bowie [e-mail]
    North York, Ontario, Canada
      << new sig imminent...honest!! >>





Jason Compton                                      [e-mail]
Promotional Director, Wonder Computers Int.        [phone] FAX