I agree with you, David, that we take our eyes off MSFT at our peril.
The better we understand that beast, the safer we will all be.
Regarding the WinCE threat:
Computergram International (3/20/97) is of the opinion that WinCE
can provide MSFT a "near-monopoly in the huge industrial controls
market". While conceding MSFT's lack of expertise in this area,
dominance may be achieved via the recently announced franchise
agreements with Ventur Com, Inc., Eclipse International, Inc., and
AnnaSoft, Inc., "embedded controls veterans" all.
Hyperbole aside, are you (or is anyone on this thread) familiar with
these companies? Do they represent a credible entree for WinCE
into the embedded controls space?
As to the embedded vs embedded-with-UI distinction, apparently MSFT
intends to provide alternative versions of WinCE: with, and without
UI (Microprocessor Report, 12/30/96).
Sincere thanks to everyone on this thread for their thoughtful posts.
Mark Thomas |
