Re: OS/2 - Windows 95

> I'm a Computer Consultant in Washington, John.  I'm not saying that anyones
> opinion is correct or incorrect, but I CAN tell you what I'm finding.
> I'm finding that MOST people are so used to using MS Windows that the thought
> of switching OPERATING SYSTEMS away from Microsoft causes great fear in the
> AVERAGE user (both business and personal).
> Call in brain-washing, or effective marketing, or whatever you like.
> Microsoft has the biggest slice and people are FROTHING AT THE MOUTH for the
> latest Microsoft TOY (Windows 95) so that they can be on top of the pile once
> again and brag to their neighbors/associates.
> Taking into consideration that there are more orders already for WIN95 that
> there are current users of OS/2 should be a BIG reason for software
> developers to create Windows software FIRST, then decide if there's a large
> enough market WITHIN the OS/2 users to warrant the expense of re-writing the
> code for a different operating system since MOST applications cannot simply

That is one of the things IBM is working on. They have a compiler that is in
Beta that will take Visual Basic code and compile it for OS/2. OS/2 for the
PowerPC is being held up because they want it so that someone can write
software for OS/2, and then just recompile it for OS/2 for the PowerPC. The
SMART tool allows porting over Windows stuff without too much pain, except
for price.( I don't know this for fact, it's what is advertised.

Right now there are some gaping holes in OS/2 applications where some
companies can make some SERIOUS money. Yes, Windows is bigger, and there are
more potential buyers, but a 10 million installed base is definitely worth
looking at, and more companies are doing it. With Windows NT out, and Windows
95 coming out, cross compiling for OS/2 will become easier. Also, OpenDoc is
going to help. It is going to be interesting to see if OLE will stay the
'standard', since OpenDoc is so much more portable, and gets around silly
little things like having to use rectangular shaped objects.

John

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