What's in I.B.M.'s and Apple's gunsights? Microsoft

Article Abstract:

The significance of the recent agreement between IBM and Apple Computer Inc, according to some industry observers, is in the probable consequences for Microsoft Corp and Intel Corp. The computer industry has depended on Microsoft for operating system software and on Intel for microprocessors. IBM, which has been losing market share to competitors, and Apple, which wants to establish itself in the corporate market, hope that together they can reassert their influence. Microsoft has controlled the market for the DOS operating system, which is used on tens of millions of microcomputers, but now, IBM and Apple plan to develop a different operating system. And they plan to build powerful new computers based on a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, which they will share. The agreement with IBM represents a major change for Apple, from a long-standing policy of maintaining proprietary technology.

Semiconductors and related devices, Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Product information, Intel Corp., INTC, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Technology transfer, Strategic Planning, Competition, Marketing Strategy, Open Systems

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On the font battlefront, an uneasy truce raises hopes; there are signs that Adobe, Apple and Microsoft standards will work together

Article Abstract:

Microcomputer users planning to use Microsoft's Windows 3.0 program or Macintosh System 7.0, or other graphics-based interfaces or operating systems, will be able to access various type styles and sizes for use in their documents or applications. Until recently, standards for type fonts and page description languages were matters of considerable dispute, but two of the most important disputants - Adobe Systems Inc and Apple Computer Inc - reportedly have reached an agreement and have decided to work together. Details of the agreement are not released, but analysts speculate that Apple will make it easy for Adobe fonts to be used with Apple's System 7 operating software, and Adobe will make it easy for Apple's Truetype fonts to be used with Adobe's Postscript printer language. Microsoft is also working on Truetype-compatible products and arrangements.

Computer software industry, Software industry, Software, Desktop publishing software, Desktop publishing, Typesetting, DTP Software

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The fallout from the font wars

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp and Apple Computer Inc have agreed to share outline font technology and printer software. The agreement will bring the superior graphics and text display capabilities of the Macintosh to microcomputers running Microsoft's OS/2- and DOS-based applications and will improve Macintosh compatibility with microcomputers. The agreement also may mean the demise of Adobe Systems. Adobe has kept its PostScript font technology under wraps for several years, and may have missed the chance to become the industry standard by so doing. IBM has yet to announce whether it will support Adobe's or Microsoft's font technology.

Product development, Graphics software, Screens (Separation), Screens

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