Re: If Windows 98 is delayed, we're all in trouble?

[John Bryan <jnelson@bga.com>]

>I would like to hear the reasons why "... delayed shipment of 
>Windows 98 ... could disrupt the entire computer industry by 
>causing consumers to delay purchases of new systems."
>

I believe it might be true.  (Qualified of course with the
standard CYA: "But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."),
I am sure there are more than a few non-MS execs sleeping less 
soundly, and going through the Maalox a little faster these days 
because of this issue.

However, I think it should be apparent that if this is all
it takes to "disrupt the entire computer industry" then there
is something terribly wrong with the computer industry.

That the delay of one software product, by one company, might
have severe, long term, detrimental effects on the entire
computer industry indicates to me that something is exceedingly
out of balance, and that this imbalance is what we should then be
concerned about, i.e., treat the disease, not the symptom.

I would remind these people that delays due to Microsoft
-itself- haven't seemed to cause the market to go into freefall,
nor the California coast to fall off into the ocean.  When
was Windows "98" -originally- supposed to be out??  Last -year- ?
How many times has it already be delayed??  Did the delays
of W"95" cause the downfall of our way of American life,
("cats and dogs, sleeping together") and other such calamities?

I don't think so.

In fact, recall Mr. G himself attesting not too long ago to a 
group of folks in Washington, that the computer industry has never
been better?

It would seem then by his own testimony, and the historical
fact of past delays and release 'rescheduling', that there is a
contradiction:  Either the computer industry has been
damaged by the series of delays of W95, and the delays of
W98, (not to mention NTx), OR there is no danger in delaying
W98 a bit more.

Now 'delaying' W98 -indefinitely-,....    

-JohnB

>I don't believe it.
>
>Personally, I think the growth in the acceptance of the personal 
>computer in home and office has a heck of a lot more going for it
>than Windows 98.
>
>Am I naive?
>
>I would like to hear the reasons why "... delayed shipment of 
>Windows 98 ... could disrupt the entire computer industry by 
>causing consumers to delay purchases of new systems."
>
>Any takers?
>
>Let me hear your reasons.
>
>Gene Gaines
>ggaines@generation.net
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>Excerpt on the "New York Times on the Web" story today, by John Markoff:
>
>
>'Microsoft is nearing completion of Windows 98, the newest version of its operating system, and
>industry executives said that the Justice Department felt it was under pressure to act before the
>company releases the so-called "golden master" version of the program in May or June. 
>
>There were broad industry concerns that if the legal battle delayed shipments of Windows 98, it
>could disrupt the entire computer industry by causing consumers to delay purchases of new
>systems. Typically many businesses and consumers will buy new hardware to take advantage of
>a new operating system's features or requirements. 
>
>"Justice fully understands the time pressure they're under and the risk of freezing the market,"
>said Ken Wasch, president of the Software Publishers Association, a Washington-based
>organization.'



>I don't believe it.
>
>Personally, I think the growth in the acceptance of the personal 
>computer in home and office has a heck of a lot more going for it
>than Windows 98.
>
>Am I naive?
>
>I would like to hear the reasons why "... delayed shipment of 
>Windows 98 ... could disrupt the entire computer industry by 
>causing consumers to delay purchases of new systems."
>
>Any takers?
>
>Let me hear your reasons.
>
>Gene Gaines
>ggaines@generation.net
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>Excerpt on the "New York Times on the Web" story today, by John Markoff:
>
>
>'Microsoft is nearing completion of Windows 98, the newest version of its operating system, and
>industry executives said that the Justice Department felt it was under pressure to act before the
>company releases the so-called "golden master" version of the program in May or June. 
>
>There were broad industry concerns that if the legal battle delayed shipments of Windows 98, it
>could disrupt the entire computer industry by causing consumers to delay purchases of new
>systems. Typically many businesses and consumers will buy new hardware to take advantage of
>a new operating system's features or requirements. 
>
>"Justice fully understands the time pressure they're under and the risk of freezing the market,"
>said Ken Wasch, president of the Software Publishers Association, a Washington-based
>organization.'