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- Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.programmer
- Path: sparky!uunet!mcsun!sunic!liuida!isy!herkules.sssab.se!saruman.sssab.se!nicolai
- From: nicolai@sssab.se (Nicolai Wadstrom)
- Subject: Re: Can someone at IBM please explain why developers should develop for OS/2?
- Posting-Front-End: Winix Conference v 92.05.15 1.20 (running under MS-Windows)
- Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 18:59:51 GMT
- Message-ID: <1992Jul28.165958.21297W@saruman.sssab.se>
- References: <1992Jul28.031031.8737@hellgate.utah.edu>
- Sender: nicolai@sssab.se (Nicolai Wadstrom)
- Lines: 115
-
- In article <1992Jul28.031031.8737@hellgate.utah.edu>, brian%jensen.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Brian Sturgill) writes:
-
-
- >
- >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.
-
-
- I agree totaly. IBM has shown a much better attitude, but they will have
- do better if they want OS/2 to succed, I bought it, and use it at home,
- it works fine, and I really like the Workplace Shell (the most powerful
- user interface I ever used), and the powerful features a 32-bit address
- space, powerful API etc. (Without doubt a better and more powerful
- envoirment than Windows).
- But at work I write C++ code with Borland C++ under Windows, and nobody
- here (not even I) can see any good reason for developing anything for OS/2
- as things are now.
- Microsoft invited us to the NT deveopers conference (I wasn't there myself)
- and we received a copy of the NT beta, with compiler & SDK!
- We haven't ever heard anything from IBM...
-
-
-
-
- / nicolai@sssab.se
- --
- Nicolai Wadstrom Phone: +46-13-111660
- 3S AB (Scandinavian System Support AB) Fax: +46-13-115193
- Agatan 4, Box 535, 581 06 Linkoping BBS:
-