The day Bill Gates overthrew Big Blue

Article Abstract:

The turning point of the rocky Microsoft Corp/IBM relationship came in a garishly decorated conference room at the Comdex trade show in Nov 1989. Microsoft Chmn Bill Gates and IBM microcomputer executive James Cannavino had reached an agreement. Before two dozen or so of the top executives in the microcomputer software business, Cannavino would endorse the forthcoming upgrade of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface software, while Gates would say that Windows was a low-end product and OS/2, IBM's next-generation software, should be used on more powerful microcomputers. Gates would also agree to focus Microsoft's efforts on developing OS/2. While a noisy air conditioner drone on, neither Gates nor Cannavino went quite as far as they had committed to. When Gates refused to commit to OS/2, all the executives realized that Microsoft had won the battle for industry dominance; all the numbers were on its side.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Computer software industry, Software industry, Microsoft Corp., History, Gates, Bill, MSFT, Comdex, 1989 AD, Computer history, Human Factors, Competition, History of Computing, Cannavino, James A., Comdex-Fall

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Next task at Apple: first order, then orders

Article Abstract:

Newly appointed Apple CEO Gilbert Amelio has had successful experience restoring profitability to National Semiconductor, but he will face more deeply entrenched problems in his attempt to revive Apple's status. Apple's inability to innovate new technologies in recent years is at the center of the company's loss of market share, and National Semiconductor experienced the same problem under Amelio. Reports indicate that Apple's acquisition talks with Sun Microsystems have not broken off because of the personnel move, but those familiar with Amelio insist that he would not accept the Apple post on simply a short-term basis. Analysts suggest that Amelio's technological expertise and superior management skills make him an excellent candidate to lead the restoration of Apple's prestige.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computers & Auxiliary Equip, Officials and employees, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, AAPL, Company organization, Apple Inc., Amelio, Gilbert F., Company Business Management, Company Employee Status Change

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IBM expected to try to bring order to software chaos

Article Abstract:

IBM will introduce a broad initiative to help corporate customers deal with their problem of writing software fast enough. IBM will introduce its own new software and also alliances with developers that offer software-writing tools. Other developers are expected to announce that they will make their products compatible with IBM's products. Some competitors and consultants are concerned that IBM will focus on mainframes and IBM-compatible systems, ignoring minicomputers, microcomputers and hardware made by IBM's competitors. But, IBM would like to provide a framework for computer-aided software engineering, the main technology that customers are incorporating to solve their software development backlog problem.

Software, Product development, Services, Software engineering, Customer service, Industrial productivity, Productivity, Computer Industry, Software architectures, Software Architecture

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