Microsoft threats (Re: ./etc/APPLE. No Free Software for Mac users.)

[Ralph Hyre]

In article <8155 at cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> wetter at tybalt.caltech.edu.UUCP (Pierce T. Wetter) writes:
>   My own personal theory: Apple in '85 is in dismal shape. ... Bill gates ...
>says ok, then I'm never going to produce anything else for the mac... 
>Thus, MS commits the ultimate in software hoarding: driving companies
>out of business by withholding software.
As I recall, the 'threat' also had some component of not relicensing
Applesoft BASIC, which would have crippled the Apple ][ line.  Even with
the preponderance of commercial software, people would be shocked to
turn on their new Apple ]['s and not be able to program them right out
of the box.  (I always enjoyed Integer BASIC, myself.)

This would have hurt Apple more than the loss of Microsoft product updates 
for the Mac.  The Apple ][ was the 'bread-and-butter' product at the time.
I still hear that they're selling 20,000 GSes a month.
-- 
					- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.
Internet: ralphw at ius3.cs.cmu.edu    Phone:(412) CMU-BUGS
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW at W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA
"You can do what you want with my computer, but leave me alone!8-)"