Tech shop: 'theocracy of hackers' rules Autodesk Inc., a strangely run firm; can the latest CEO survive a cabal of programmers who send 'flame mail'?; a most unusual interview
Article Abstract:
Autodesk Inc, the world's sixth largest microcomputer software company, is an unusual company that has been described as a 'theocracy of hackers.' Its reclusive founder, John Walker, who gave up management of the firm in 1986 to resume programming, is as eccentric as his Core members, his elite group of programmers. Walker and Core members are unpredictable, given to outbursts displayed through 'flame mail,' the stinging electronic messages they send one another and other executives. Walker is unconventional, giving outside programmer Michael Riddle an unusually generous $10-million royalty for his AutoCad software which became Autodesk's hit product. Walker, who still holds less than four percent or about 869,000 shares of the company, valued at $30 million, returned to company management in 1992 as technology manager for three months to help select a new CEO. In April 1992, Carol Bartz was named the new chairperson and CEO. Income and sales from 1986 to 1990 did not seem affected by the internal conflicts. They rose about five-fold, although not as good as the earlier years when earnings would sometimes grow ten-fold over a certain period. But in 4th qtr FY 1991, earnings dropped about 25 percent below targets. Autodesk's future seems a bit brighter, with a couple of new products, the Windows version of AutoCad and the scientific software HyperChem, out and 25 more to be released at the end of FY 1992.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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Apple aims to boost Macintosh power: move may hurt joint-system venture with IBM
Article Abstract:
Apple is planning to enhance its Apple Macintosh products, which could be a sign that the company is de-emphasizing its involvement with Taligent and the development of the 'Pink' operating system. Apple's joint venture with IBM began in 1991 with optimistic plans to produce a system software package to rival Unix. Some analysts believe that Apple may have joined forces with IBM to get access to the performance-boosting Power PC microprocessor, which uses reduced-instruction-set-computing (RISC) technology. Others believe that Apple is de-emphasizing Taligent in an effort to increase or maintain sales of Apple Macintosh products, even though Pink will not be released until 1993 at the earliest. Apple plans to encourage MD-DOS-compatible computer users to buy Macintosh add-on software to enable them to mix sound and images in applications. Apple's popular notebooks will offer MS-DOS support in an effort to reduce the DOS standard's strength.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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