Lauantai, 18.9.1999
Ei uutta OS/2 client-versiota
Stardock yritti saada IBM:ltä oikeudet lisensoida OS/2 ja myydä sitä eteenpäin. Neuvotteluja käytiin lähes vuosi, ja niiden ollessa jo loppusuoralla IBM päätti, että ei käy. IBM:n mukaan uusi OS/2 client-versio olisi ristiriidassa heidän strategiansa kanssa.
In 1998, Stardock took the position that if IBM had no current
or projected plans for a new fat OS/2 client, that it was in the
interests of OS/2 users and the computing community in general that
a third-party should work with IBM to license OS/2 technology
on an OEM basis and make a new client available.
To that end, late last year, Stardock prepared a business plan and
opened negotiations with IBM. The wheels of bureacracy grind slowly,
but eventually it was up to "IBM" (executive level) to make the ultimate
call on proceeding.
For the past 6 months, Stardock and IBM have been working closely
together in hammering out the details of an OS/2 client. Everything
from potential names down to which minute components would or would
not be included. These meetings included multiple in person
meetings with IBM staff and executives here at Stardock's office
complex in Livonia Michigan.
With an agreement in principle in place, the last major hurdle
was this week in which the IBMers in favor of our proposal (mostly in
Austin) presented their case to IBM as a whole.
The call has been made -- there will be no new client from Stardock
and IBM has indicated that they have no plans for an OS/2 based
client of their own.
Though IBM indicated Stardock had the strongest proposal, they have
decided that it is currently not in IBM's or their customer's interests
to license any current OS/2 technology on an OEM-basis.
There was never any discord between IBM and Stardock over financials,
technical viability, target market, or the like. IBM has simply finally
made the decision that a new OS/2 client would be in conflict with
their strategic directions.
Stardock would like to extend a special thanks to all the IBMers
(and in particular Ken Christopher and Timothy Sipples) who went above
and beyond the call in working with us and going to bat inside IBM.
Remember when you meet folks like them, who are and have been
intimately involved with OS/2, that their hands may be just as tied
as yours when the IBM Corporation as a whole sets policy.
Everything that could be done was done.
Brad
---
Brad Wardell
Product Manager: Object Desktop & The
Corporate Machine
http://www.stardock.com
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