🚀 go-pugleaf

In message <sqfwinajutuuke.pminews@usr95.neocomm.net> - "Carlton E. Wyatt"
<ttaywec@useiname.com>Thu, 09 Oct 97 10:58:58 -0500 writes:
:>
:>It seems that IBM is purposely trying to push the average user of OS/2 to
:>drop the operating system, leaving it for use by their big corporate accounts
:>with deep pockets.  We now have very desirable upgrades that require and
:>"Upgrade Protection" contract in order to obtain.  This applies currently to
:>the new TCP/IP version 4.1 that was just released.  Unless you've purchased
:>that contract, you can't download it or get it.  And word is that the new
:>Communicator for OS/2 will require the same thing, and only a "refresh" of
:>the current Netscape 2.02 to use Java 1.1.1 will be released for the average
:>user to get for free.  And how do you get an "Upgrade Protection" contract? 
:>You have to contact your  IBM Account Executive (how many of us non-corporate
:>people have one of those????) and pay approximately $200 per license (for an
:>operating system that only cost me $89 retail????).
:>

Umm - actually, Upgrade Protection is available to individuals w/o an
IBM account executive - Indelible Blue sells this contract for $198, last I
looked.

And, as Software Protection is defined, it's for those who want *now* things
that will be generally available later - probably in a new rev of the 
operating system.


:>I really love OS/2 and have been using it exclusively since 2.0 was in beta. 
:>I've gone from 2.0Beta to 2.0, then 2.0+SP, 2.1, 2.11, 3.0, and now 4.0,
:>purchasing the upgrades as they've come available.  I love the WPS and think
:>it's the best user interface ever developed on ANY platform.  But it seems
:>IBM is finally abandoning me and pushing me towards the Microsoft camp.  All
:>of the new IBM software and features are Win32 platform only, with only token
:>attention paid to OS/2 Warp.  I'm officially pissed off, now.
:>
:>Carlton Wyatt
:>Usually a proud TeamOS/2 member since 1994
:>

I don't know, Carlton.  I guess I've come to the realization that no business
model successfully incorporates the 'free lunch' model of product pricing. 
You
say that you "really love" OS/2; at some point the notion of value for the
dollar
must have come into the equation.  If you don't "love" OS/2 enough to pay for
the privledge of getting things in advance (which is what Software Choice
seems
to be), I think you're jumping the gun on whether or not the ultimate upgrade
to the next full version is going to be worth the $$.

And, BTW, I've heard the rumors about how Netscape will be released and there
seem to be as many versions as there are reporters.  It's probably worth
waiting to see what actually transpires......


My $0.02


===========================================================
Frank R. Field, III
E-mail: "Frank R. Field, III" <furd@mit.edu> 
PGP public key available from PGP public keyservers      O-
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