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- Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.programmer
- Path: sparky!uunet!caen!hellgate.utah.edu!jensen.cs.utah.edu!brian
- From: brian%jensen.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Brian Sturgill)
- Subject: Re: Can someone at IBM please explain why developers should develop for OS/2?
- Date: 28 Jul 92 03:10:31 MDT
- Message-ID: <1992Jul28.031031.8737@hellgate.utah.edu>
- Organization: University of Utah CS Dept
- Lines: 99
-
-
- I am not sure that in my earlier post I made my intention clear, also
- at the time I was quite upset, which I'm sure did not help
- the clarity of the message.
-
- If someone would post this message on the IBM internal board too,
- I'd appreciate it.
-
- As always, the views presented here are mine, and don't necessarily
- reflect the views of the University of Utah or the spin-off
- company associated with the research group that employs me.
-
- Dear IBM:
-
- I am an applications developer that develops applications that
- are marketed and supported through a small company.
- As I'm sure is true with most developers, I've been closely watching
- the battle between OS/2, Windows & Windows NT, Unix, and other operating
- systems. I have a problem -- I have limited resources -- the question
- that immediately comes up is what platforms do I develop for?
-
- As my application works best in a 32-bit environment, OS/2 2.0's
- arrival was quite welcome, and I immediately tooks steps to
- bring my application there. Much change in IBM's attitude toward
- the end-user market was occurring, and much more change was promised.
- Unfortunately (as I explained in detail in an earlier message) the
- promised change is not occuring in as timely fashion as I would
- like.
-
- Enter into the picture, Microsoft. I had not paid NT much attention
- as I believed it largely non-existant and thought it would be
- quite some time before it was out. But, Microsoft kept saying
- that it was real and that in July they would have a developers
- conference. They sent me many letters, and posted announcements on
- the Internet and CompuServe, telling me of this grand conference and
- said that I would be given a copy of NT if I attended.
- (IBM has never sent me any mail, and often does not announce
- things on CompuServe or the Internet.)
-
- So what do I find at the conference? Well I find an operating system
- that is about as stable as OS/2 2.0 LA. I find Microsoft bending
- over backwards to help me create or port applications to NT.
- Microsoft has been somewhat "evil" in the past with respect to
- their treatment of developers; but at this conference, they
- even _invited_ specifically Borland, and let the Turbo Jazz Band play.
- While I have no doubt that the behavior of Microsoft is "better"
- than it will be if (actually more likely when) NT succeeds, it
- is clear that Microsoft has learned that the secret of success is
- to getting lots of applications on their platform. And that
- being nice to developers, big and small, is a very good way
- to make this happen.
-
- What does IBM give me? Well their treatment of me as a customer, makes
- me wonder how I'll get any customers for my OS/2 product -- as
- customers (unless of course they have an SE) seem to
- be treated rather poorly. As a developer they charge me outrageous
- prices for poor tools. They don't answer my questions on CompuServe.
- I'm not saying by any means that it is all bad, but it's seem quite
- clear to me that IBM does not really care about OS/2.
-
- I see lots of IBM employees "trying hard" with respect to OS/2,
- but clearly this will not be enough to fend off NT.
- I really would like for a change to see something done completely
- and quickly in OS/2.
- For example, the DOS environment under OS/2 is clearly excellent --
- probably far better that what Microsoft will put into NT.
- On the other hand it is hard for ordinary users to configure, and
- the configuration facilities there are largely undocumented.
- I have never seen an IBM ad tout this feature.
-
- If OS/2 is to have a significant market share, it will have to be BETTER than
- NT. Considering the state of things like WorkPlace Shell -- a brilliant
- shell but it's buggy, slow, and poorly documented -- I have grave doubts that
- OS/2 will be better at anything.
-
- What I want from IBM is simple: I want them to send me a clear signal
- that they can compete with Microsoft. I want them to actively
- recruit ISV's and to fix the bugs of OS/2 2.0. Most importantly I want
- to see open, honest communication of IBM's strategy with respect
- to OS/2. I want to see a plan, and that plan implemented in
- a non-sloppy manner. In short, I want IBM to give me a reason
- to develop for OS/2 2.0. As things stand currently, I'm afraid
- I've wasted my time learning about OS/2. I have a product for 2.0 in
- beta now -- once NT comes out -- will I have any customers?
-
- I have gotten a number of responses to my last message privately.
- I hope that those people and those others that considered responding,
- will do so now, publically If you don't then IBM will think I'm one lone nut
- and perhaps won't get the message.
-
- Sincerely,
-
- Brian Sturgill
-
- (801) 581-5591
- brian@cs.utah.edu (Internet address, my preferred contact point)
- CompuServe: 70363,1373 (personal)
- CompuServe: 76300,3115 (U of U)
- (Spin off company account setup still in progress)
-