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Date:      Sun, 19 Dec 1999 07:57:32 -0800 (PST)
From:      "Jonathan M. Bresler" <jmb@hub.freebsd.org>
To:        jcm@dogma.freebsd-uk.eu.org
Cc:        uncleben@mindspring.com, chat@freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: windows debate
Message-ID:  <19991219155732.D48B214E62@hub.freebsd.org>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.4.21.9912191537540.26906-100000@dogma.freebsd-uk.eu.org> (message from Jonathon McKitrick on Sun, 19 Dec 1999 15:40:51 %2B0000 (GMT))

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jcm@dogma.freebsd-uk.eu.org wrote:
> 
> On Sat, 18 Dec 1999, Ben Pitzer wrote:
> 
> >Jonathan, in all, your brother-in-law is right about Gates' economic
> >impact.  He undercut Apple's prices and technology, and convinced the world
> >that his product was better than Jobs' product.  Was he right?  Does it
> >matter?  He got computers into homes, and now it's the job of people like
> 
> The one point i disagree with here is that HARDWARE prices, not OS prices
> got computers into homes.  WIndows helped,but it was cheaper hardware that
> made them more accessible.  And unfortunately, a poor OS then made them
> prettier, if not more usable to the average Joe.

	Intel has done an incredible job of increasing the
capabilities of their processors from year to year over the last 20+
years.  the x86 has been an abomination from the beginning...back in
the days of the 386, i was convinced that the day was soon approaching
when Intel and therefore Microsoft would have to ditch the x86
instruction set.  Then with eveyone having to replace their software a
different better instruction set would have a chance against the huge
installed base of machines.

	wrong.  Intel has been unstoppable.  So we are all still using
the x86 instruction set (we will see what merced turns into and what
instruction set gets used....).  Intel has saved Gates from the horror
of having to compete anew for customers.  

	Its not Microsoft and Bill Gates, its Intel, the other makers
of computer equipment and ideas from Xero PARC, Mac and everywhere
else that Microsoft has used, often badly, to reach their current
position.  Now their announcement of vaporware is taken more seriously
than shipping product from other companies.

jmb


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