[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: Another Mac Rom Question



fazz9818@tao.sosc.osshe.edu (Christopher Fazzio) wrote:

>ARDI is cool, but it is in serious trouble.  Apple currently has an
>emulator for Unix users, called MAE (Macintosh Application Envirinment). 
>It includes Macintosh ROM cade, and is 99.9999999+% compatible with Mac
>programs.  It also has networking services in addition to other things
>that Executor can not.  ARDI is in trouble, because a "PC" version is due
>for next year.  Two thing will happen:

>1) Apple's MAE will be more compatible, faster, better features, and more
stable

>and/or

>2) Apple will buy ARDI, swallow their source code, and some features, and
>seel it a MAE for "PC's".

>ARDI's executor is neat because it's a first, but it's only a mediocre
>first-generation product.  Apple's emulator will make it impossible for
>ARDI to compete.  

Well, first of all.. I didn't particularly care for your nearly flame-like
tone.

Secondly, I read such articles in my trade magazines, but they only spoke
about "possibly" an NT port of MAE 3.0. That still leaves DOS, Windows
95/3.1, Linux, FreeBSD, and NEXT users out in the cold.

Given the notorious delays in larger companies to develop software of this
scope (Soft Windows only just now runs 486/386 code after 6+ years on the
market in one form or another). By the time Apple got the product out,
ARDI would be at version 3.0 or better. You can use your own imagination
to decide what Executor would be like at that time, certainly better than
a "mediocre first-generation product".

I know ARDI has been at Apple and shown them Executor. ARDI has been
close-mouthed about the meeting, but since ARDI is not a division of Apple
(8 months or more later), I don't think they will be soon.

If anything Apple might want to license Matt's Synthetic CPU. But Apple
owns the Toolbox ROMS and has no need of the rest of Executor.

Mostly I object to the tone of your message. ARDI is doing great with
Executor, and I have no hopes, expectations or desire that they go out of
business anytime soon...

Do you?

- Al Hartman, Computer Expressions -


References: