Greetings All:
*** Regarding Backward-compatibility: ***
I have seen 2 types of backward-compatibility in the last few years:
1. Same size disk, greater capacity - The market likes this. People wanted to upgrade from 300K to 600K to 1200K with their 5 1/4" disks. Likewise, people wanted to upgrade from 720K to 1440K with their 3 1/2" disks.
2. Different sized disks - The market seems to shun these. While combo drives that could handle both 5 1/4" and 3 1/2" drives were available, people preferred 2 separate drives. Very, very few computers sold with the combo drives. 99+% sold with one of each drive.
Conclusion: The Zip has little to fear from a competitor's backward compatibility. In fact, I think backward compatibility would be a detriment. I would personally pay a little more for a 1.44 drive and a zip drive on the same machine, rather than pay a little less for a combo 1.44 & zip drive.
*** Regarding Generic Disks: ***
I think this is an area where Iomega is vulnerable.
1. I have trouble seeing how the judge could automatically rule in Iomega's favor. I think the ruling could go either way.
A. Iomega previousely stated that they have the right to cooperate with Noumai to make and sell Syquest disks.
B. Generic parts are often used in equipment. We can easily get generic brake pads for our cars. There are a host of similiar cases in the computer industry. While I would prefer that the judge would rule in our favor so that IOM will maintain it's upward rolling pattern, I prefer the availabilty of generic products. I re-ink my ink-jet cartridges in my printer. I use a third party trackball with my computer, etc.
2. However, even if the judge rules in Noumai's favor, I think their penetration will be minimal.
A. Iomega will probably declare that any warranty is null and void if a Noumai disk is used. It would be unenforceable. But, it would inhibit competition.
B. I don't think many people would want to risk a whole 100Megs of info on a generic disk.
C. Iomega has already stated that they have forseen the problem and have ways to make non-Iomega disks unworkable, if necessary (a la what nintendo did to 3rd party game makers with their first machine).
Heh, heh, heh, isn't owning (part of) a business fun?
Mike |
