June of 1998 may very well be remembered in the computer industry for something other than the formal release of Windows 98. Something much more important; a wake-up call to IBM's Lou Gerstner from American consumer-advocate Ralph Nader regarding OS/2. The story was first reported by Mary Jo Foley of Sm@rt Reseller on June 8th. In her article, Foley reveals that Nader sent Gerstner a letter suggesting that IBM make the OS/2 source code public as a means of combating Microsoft's domination of PC operating systems. Further, Nader confronted IBM, "We are writing to ask that IBM stop forcing customers who buy IBM personal computers to purchase Microsoft Windows." "You should give your PC customers an opportunity to buy a non-Microsoft operating system, or at a minimum to permit the consumer to buy a PC from IBM without any operating system."
But Nader's real surprise was when he announced in the letter, "Millions of OS/2 users are bitterly disappointed at IBM's failure to promote and improve the OS/2 platform as an alternative to Microsoft Windows."
Nader's letter comes as a breath of fresh air, particularly at a time when OS/2 enthusiasts were discouraged by the IBM suffocates Warp story produced on May 19th by Sm@rt Reseller which reported that IBM had no plans to deliver a 64-bit version for Intel Corp.'s forthcoming Merced chip.
Nader hasn't said anything we as OS/2 users haven't already asked ourselves. The difference is that Nader is a high-profile consumer advocate that businesses listen to, whether they want to or not. If you read his comments carefully, Ralph is basically saying to Lou, "Look, you've got something good here, why aren't you pushing it harder?"
Between the government's case against Microsoft, the comparative weaknesses of Win98, and Nader's request to bring OS/2 out of mothballs, perhaps IBM will realize it is time to resurrect this powerful product like the Phoenix from the ashes. I'm not yet convinced of the need to give OS/2 away as Netscape did, but I am convinced the time is right for a radical departure from IBM's staid approach to marketing OS/2.
Keep the faith!
Copyright © MBA 1998
