🚀 go-pugleaf

Mr Freeman wrote:
 
> 1)	NeXT uses a (psuedo)true color imaging model.  All
> application writers know that they can count on asking PS for
> any color.  And, it will give it to them.  The 8 bit cards are
> palette driven and will not follow the model.  NeXT doesn't
> want to break the model (more mail in bound with a list of
> non standard 12 bit graphic cards :-) )
> 
> 2)	The AT backplane will barely support the gray scale
> blitting that we do.  Remeber all windows are backing stored and
> smooth scrolling (expensive) is always supported.  The PCISA 
> bus was not really intended for the amount of data that flys 
> across at 1024x768 by several bits.
> 
> 

I do agree. To port such an environment to the PC seems incredible,
and it's normal to buy a powerful PC with EISA graphic card and more
RAM and diskspace to access better technology.
Mach and NeXTStep are a consistant couple.
The machine is -now- perfect with this software.
No other platform offers such an integration.

Anyway, not every user in the world needs the power of UN*X to run MS-WORD, but
for the developers and power users such as traders and engineers, a
multitasking and easy to use software is a top priority.(okay, everybody knows)
IBM, Sun and others are aware of that, and though they have a less integrated
product, their marketing plans are really aggressive.

The pricing of NeXTStep486 is a difficult matter because it
could completely changes the image of the company if its too expensive.

Let's categorize the potential users:
1. - Traders, executives
2. - Engineers, technicians
3. - Graphic designer, Publishing technicians
4. - Developers
5. - Students
6. - Non-programming people attracted by new technology

Categories 1 to 5 are power-users but they have different needs and resources.
Let's have a specialized bundle offer and a price scale.
As a student, I would look at the NeXT Station with all the development tools
like a miracle.
But look at the european pricelist and you go back with regrets to your old PC.
 
The last chance is NeXTStep486, but why such high prices ?

Let's start with low prices and then sell upgrade at higher prices.
Now MS-Windows is for free and Borland sells Dev tools for almost nothing.
And most members of categories 1 to 5 use them (except category 2 and 3...).
How can you fight and establish a new standard with such high prices!
Why refering to UN*X platforms pricing when power users are still accustomed to
DOS prices.

NeXTStep is revolutionary and can be a standard (a moving one), but it requires
a revolutionary pricing!
---
Alan STOUDER                 "NeXT plans to produce EISA Multimedia boards"
Medicine dept.                                          It may be a joke.
University of Geneva