Re: Amelio's ouster

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Geoff Kaiser writes ...
> 
> > John Johnson wrote:
> 
> > "I bought a new PC...and then found out
> > that the Macintosh has had a 32 bit OS for a decade. Apple does not 
> > advertise this in any PC Magazine..."
> 
> I agree that it's been a long time since Apple's advertising was "in
> your face", .... I hope Apple tries to
> regain this attitude they once had, and keep pushing it in everyone's
> face; ....

     First, Apple needs something to advertise. Mac is an over-priced PC.



> 
> > "Here is what Apple needs to do, IMHO...
> > 1. Sell off the hardware manufacturing divisions
> > 2. Design and license software only."
> 
> I doubt this will ever happen. ....

     Dumping most Apple hardware manufacturing may, in fact, have been 
Amelio's intention. As noted last year, the strategy is a bit risky since it 
involves a 'controlled collapse'. Evidently, some stock holders got nervous. 



> 
> > "3. Program a top notch word processor, spreadsheet, and database from > 
> scratch, in 32 bit language, and bundle it all with Macintosh clones.
> 
> Apple tried that a couple of times, first with the Lisa (it bombed),
> then with AppleWorks for the Apple II (much more successful; ....  I don't 
> see anything like this happening in the forseeable future.
>

     The idea of sluffing off all Mac manufacturing to cloners and raking in 
revenues via wp, net, etc. software is part of the 'get out of computer 
making' strategy. The idea is not likely to work so long as Mac's market 
share is so small. Yet, were Apple to seem about to withdraw from Mac 
manufacturing, confidence in Mac's future could easily evaporate overnight 
along with what remains of Mac sales. It is not a simple problem.   


 
> > "4. Write 64 bit OS and put 128 bit OS on the design plans."
> 
> .... you might be
> interested in Rhapsody; it looks to be a killer OS. It will be much more
> ready to exploit the power of the chips it runs on, much more than
> anything Apple's ever done (so what if they had to buy the company to
> get it? Microsoft does that all the time...)

     Microsoft, however, is not about to go into the tank.


> If you know anything about
> NeXTSTEP, you'll appreciate its robust foundation. Rhapsody will have
> the stability of UNIX,  the interface / ease of use of the Mac and NeXT,
> what's even better, it'll run on Intel boxes.
>

     Fine; but, does Apple have Microsoft's permission to introduce a new 
OS?



Rubywand