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Readers' Choice Awards (siteadm) Fri, 13 Jun
Maybe just maybe (bowenjm) Today

Attempt to answer

Posted by: w nau
Date posted: Thu, 19 Jun 1997

Let me warn you that I do have a bias. I will try and be objective, but I do have my limits. You asked some questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

I know that most OS/2 advocates would argure that the OS/2 people aren't calling because they already know what they are doing
My belief is different. I like to believe I know what I'm doing (many people come to me), but there are plenty of times that I need help. Why don't I seek it from the general sources? I have. I get told to go away. After getting turned down a certain number of times, I stop trying. Perhaps, they don't call you with questions because they don't believe (true or not), you'll be willing or able to help them.
How many OS/2 software stores are there?
I don't have an exact number, but will say that it's quite a bit less than Windows stores. That doesn't mean software isn't available. The software stores that do exist have a wide variety and are raking in the money.

On a side note, I've gone to some of the local stores to check out their OS/2 selection. In speaking with the salespeople, they told me that what they had is already sold out. They said that they couldn't keep it on the shelves. They also tell me that they don't expect the software to be reordered. They couldn't explain why (it wasn't up to them). I can't explain why.
What kind of business do they do?
Who? Sorry, what kind of business does who do?
How many native commerical OS/2 apps are being worked on right now?
Quite a few. Not as many as Windows, but nothing to sneeze at. Pick your catagory and there's someone working on it for OS/2. However, MicroSoft is not one of those companies.
Don't tell me about Java just yet. If I can right once run anywhere why should I stick with OS/2?
The same argument goes both ways. If you can run anyware, why stick to MicroSoft? Why not just use a Java virtual machine? Java isn't a good reason to jump to OS/2, but it is a good reason not to feel the need to stick with MicroSoft. The hope isn't that Java will make OS/2, but that it will break MicroSoft.

It's clear that there's a lot you don't know about OS/2 and its marketplace. Personally, I blame the media for that. However, you've shown interest in learning more. I'll be happy to help where I can. Thanks for your interest.

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