Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Reginald Middleton who wrote (29075)	9/2/1999 7:43:00 PM
From: codawg	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 74651

OK Reginald, here goes. Apologies in advance for the length. I don't know much about Star, what I do know is the following: 1) If I am CIO of a large to mid sized corporation, then I want something that will provide enough functionality for EACH of a diverse group of users. Many call Office bloatware, but it is this fact that allows Fortune 500 companies to put it on the desktops of all of their "customers". The user in accounting has different spreadsheet needs than the user in sales or project management or finance and all of them need to be accommodated. So a full set of integrated features is crucial for the large corp market. 2) The same CIO will typically want a single solution to provide this functionality due to training and maintenance issues. 3) Same corp also needs software that will allow interface with the rest of the corporate world. Anything more difficult than receiving a file in e-mail and double clicking on the icon is too difficult. 4) The individual user doesn't want to be left behind on technology and will pay extra money to insure that they are not. I recommend computers and software for many of my less technological friends, and I just can't imagine any of them choosing Works over Office, much less Star over Office. Just too much possibility of regretting the decision later if Star can't do or interface to what you want. Free vs. a few hundred bucks isn't even a consideration vs. peace of mind. 5) Office has momentum. People do not buy the best or even the cheapest product unless all other factors are equal, and in this case they are not. Proven by Apple, Netscape, Lotus, and Yugo. 6) Office has installed base and familiarity. Inertia will cause many not to even choose. 7) Prestige. Try telling your friends that your using Star instead of Office. Surely they won't let you hear the end of it <vbg>. This leaves a commercial market with small businesses who understand the technology and are wish to save money. This leaves an individual consumer market with knowledgeable users who understand technology well and wish to save money. In my opinion this is the niche where Star can compete. I would welcome your opinion on the subject.