MacTel post.
Seems that the link I posted has expired so, with permission and proper credit, I'm re-posting it here.
Comments?
soup
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From: Robert Morgan <rkm-echo4@worldnet.att.net>
Organization: Echo 4 Communications / MagNet Holdings
check out the link:
geocities.com
8 Feb 97
"MacTel" Boxes"
Recon LiteÿÿApple ReconÿÿÿRumors, Allegations &...e-mail
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8 Feb 97:In one of the worst kept secrets in the Tech Sector of late,
reports and rumors have been flying about that "Rhapsody" is going to be
ported to Intel Boxes in what is called the "Red Box"; which would also
enable PPC boxes run Windows applications. And, some of the resultant
reports seem to have "blown it" by failing to look at the telegraphed
punches as well as some of the nuances in the reports and rumors. And some
have been mislead by factions who don't want to see MacOS on X86 boxes
because of the mere thought of "Sleeping With The Enemy" is abhorrent to
them. However, they're wrong in that belief.
Some have run stories on the "Red Box", that while accurate in the context
in which they were written, were also inadvertantly misleading. How do we
know this? Well, RFI mentioned the "MacTel" boxes a long time ago and
"consensus" snickered at the assertion. And our Mar 96 Special Report: "The
Not Intel Standard & Strategy" was considered "Pure Heresy", but with the
developments since that time, we're not so "crazy" anymore....
So, we're going to lay out the MacTel box rumors and reports as we have
known them.
First. Yes Virginia, Rhapsody will be ported to the X86 platform. That's the
latest line we have received. We've been calling them "MacTel" boxes for a
while. However, the MacTel Rhapsody port won't be able to run MacOS
applications, but will run Windows applications as well as applications for
the MacTel ("Yellow Box") Rhapsody port. "MacTel" will have the "Yellow" and
"Red" Boxes but not the "Blue" (MacOS 7). The "Three Boxer" is going to be
kept for PPC/PPCP boxes. Why give Intel an "equal footing" with the PowerPC
Partners? It would be stupid to do so. Also, the limitations of the X86
platform, versus PPC, wouldn't suit having the "Blue Box" in MacTel.
Second. While Apple has no intention of becoming a MacTel/WinTel cloner,
they have to work with Intel to make sure the port works well on the X86
platform. Something RFI mentioned on 24 Jan 97 with its Apple,WinNT & Intel
item. Furthermore, there is no love lost between Intel (INTC.O) and
Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Intel won't refuse to have another option to Windows
on the boxes running "Intel Inside"; especially if MacTel will give WinTel a
run for its money. All of the recon regarding the WinTel channel is even
more true to than it was in February and March 1996.
However, the current crop of WinTel cloners might have problems with
Microsoft because of their Windows licensing agreements. Dual installs of
MacTel and WinTel might not be so easy for the cloners. But more on that
later.
Third. Apple has been talking with Microsoft so they can complete the
MacTel/Red Box port as well as enabling Windows applications to be run on
PPC boxes; even though WinNT 4.0 is already ported to PPC. The reports of
MacTel/Red Boxes caused Microsoft to reissue "old news" and the media
obligingly picked it up as "fresh news". Yes, it was months ago that
Microsoft announced its intention to abandon the PPC and Alpha platforms in
favor of focusing on the X86 platform. And, RFI had mentioned, as far back
as July 95, why WinNT on PPCP would prove to be an "embarrassment" in its
current incarnations (WinNT 4.0/5.0, etc.).
Fourth. The reports that Apple is also talking with IBM (IBM.N) to license
the OS/2 Warp PPC kernal is another way for it to easily integrate Windows
applications into the "Red Box"/MacTel. It's also a form of insurance lest
Microsoft decides to balk at having competition for "Windows" Operating
Systems and applications. Expect Microsoft to chafe at the bit being placed
in its mouth once MacTel boxes start being produced. And that some WinTel
cloners will migrate to making MacTel boxes after some of the Mac Cloners
start selling them and encroaching on their market share is a "No Brainer".
Fifth. Back to PPCP Rhapsody boxes. RFI has repeatedly stressed that Apple's
PPCP/CHRP goal was: "To make the OS one of preference rather than default".
We can't stress that enough. Given that Microsoft has "balked" at competing
with MacOS on PPCP, Apple is having to provide current users of WinTel
clones the ability to migrate to PPCP boxes with their Win95/NT
applications. Ergo, the MacTel port to the X86 platform and the "Red Box" in
Rhapsody PPCP boxes. If WinTel users become accustomed to running their
applications on MacTel boxes, it isn't that far of a leap for them to
migrate to PPCP Rhapsody boxes and bring their applications along with them.
Sixth. That all of this isn't "news" in the real sense shouldn't be a
surprise. Not only has this been in the works for quite some time, as a
"strategy" if not "operationally", but Dr. Amelio, et al, have been giving
"Telegraphed Punches" regarding all of this for quite some time. Something
which accelerated after Copland was sent to the "Trash".
RFI has been discussing this in depth for quite some time, and the reputable
Mac-The-Knife and MacWeek staff have been unearthing the news in an
expedient manner, which supports rather than disproves RFI's "Recon" on this
topic. Just read the MacWeek item "Apple Execs Fill In OS Details"
Seventh. The recent stories and articles in some publications, and other
media outlets, that state that "Rhapsody on Intel" was not going to happen
were mostly due to misunderstanding some of the finer details and nuances of
what was being said or inferred. As well as the aforementioned factions.
"No Blue Box" in MacTel Rhapsody was interpreted as no "Rhapsody" port to
the Intel/X86 platform. Apple stating that they did not intend to make Intel
boxes was interpreted as no "MacTel" boxes. And, it was easy to
misunderstand the various strategies and plans that are being formulated and
executed. In fact, a lot of the misunderstanding was fomented by factions
that don't want to see Rhapsody on X86 boxes as they see it as a form of
sacrilege.
Eighth: MacTel Cloners. When Rhapsody/MacTel boxes hit the markets, even
before then, don't expect Microsoft to lay back and allow their current
Windows licensees to dual install Windows and Rhapsody on the same box.
According to their licenses, the cloners are supposed to make sure that the
first thing the user sees is Microsoft on their screens, and installing
MacTel on the same box would violate their licensing agreements. Apparently,
Microsoft was more than willing to allow "Free Market Competition" on PPCP
boxes, but when it comes to their home turf they are extremely proprietary.
But, not all is lost as the first MacTel cloners probably won't be any of
the current crop of WinTel Cloners. In fact, the first MacTel boxes will
more than likely be made by the current Mac Cloners as they are not
restricted by the Microsoft licensing agreements. Ergo, the first
advertisements for Windows compatible MacTel boxes that will appear in the
PC publications will probably bear the nameplates of Umax, PowerComputing,
Motorola, APS, IBM, etc., rather than Compaq, DELL, etc.
Sound "crazy"? Not as farfetched as you might think. IBM and Motorola have
sublicensing rights to the MacOS and that includes any port of MacTel. Ergo,
the cloners with licenses for MacOS will also have the opportunity to make
MacTel clones without the contraints placed on the current crop of WinTel
cloners.
However, if the MacTel clones are sucessful, the current crop of WinTel
cloners will be sorely tempted to figure out a way to make them as well.
They are only shackled by Microsoft and Windows to the extent that there is
no other real alternative to Win95/NT. Even if that means making MacTel
clones without Windows installed.
Bottom Line? RFI has been repeatedly warning people to look for and listen
to those "Telegraphed Punches" as well as paying attention to the nuances
and minor details because it is within them that one can discern a lot more
than what is being revealed in the press releases and news items. Liken it
to the "Kremlinologists" during the Cold War. And, there will probably be an
explosion of "Macologists" amongst The Street once it becomes apparent that
MacTel boxes will offer a credible challenge in the PC marketplace.
And to get a taste of what the future might hold, read Meltdown Time for the
PC, which is the "Front door" to the article "Has The PC Had Its Day?" It's
worth reading.
Recon LiteÿÿApple ReconÿÿÿRumors, Allegations &...e-mail |
