Microsoft - King of Vaporware
IMHO we all have to keep an eye on the developments of Windows 98 and especially Windows NT V5.0 & Windows NT Workstation V5.0. The following is from the CRN (Computer Reseller News) web site: techweb.cmp.com
>>Windows NT 5.0 Sooner Rather Than Later?
By Stuart Glascock
San Francisco 3:45 p.m. EST Wed., Oct. 1, 1997
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said that Windows NT 5.0 will ship earlier than expected in the second quarter next year.
Previously, company officials said the operating system would ship in the second half of the year. Some OEMs and analysts had feared that Windows NT 5.0 would not ship until the fourth quarter of next year or even 1999. (my emphasis)
"If they really ship [Windows] NT 5.0 in the second quarter . . . it will be a huge revenue boost," said Chris LaTocq, an analyst at Dataquest, a San Jose, Calif.-based market research firm.
Speaking at the Seybold '97 conference here, Gates also reaffirmed that Windows 98 will ship in the second quarter next year.
Microsoft officials are urging corporations, including publishers, to adopt Windows NT 5.0 rather than Windows 98.
Windows 98 is being positioned by the software giant as a consumer desktop operating system.<<
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Based on past history, I'm suspicious of Gates' statement:
>>Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said that Windows NT 5.0 will ship earlier than expected in the second quarter next year.<<
There's a good chance his statement was damage control and will be 'updated' later. And then 'updated' again, and then again...
We're in a situation where the hardware folks (Intel, video board manufactures, etc.) are ahead of Microsoft and are releasing product that isn't supported by current Microsoft operating systems. For those who can wait, they have to be thinking: 'why buy hardware that does 'X' when the operating system software won't be in place for another 4 or 5 months (Win 98) and possible another year - or more (Win NT & Win NT Workstation)?'
It's possible that if Microsoft stumbles on delivery dates the entire stockmarket could feel the effect. With the history the month of October has and the Microsoft OS situation, it would seem SYQT's 'turn around' timing isn't too good.
Regards - Emory |
