12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

DEBATEDEBATEMicrosoft vs. CUCUGMicrosoft vs. CUCUG

Barnes HallBarnes Hall

Cornell UniversityCornell University

December 2001December 2001

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

So Many Choices…So Many Choices…

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

As Long as You Play by As Long as You Play by the Rules!the Rules!

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Opening Statement: Opening Statement: CUCUGCUCUG

Mike WebbMike Webb B.S. Communication, Cornell U. B.S. Communication, Cornell U.

19971997 Founder, Editor, Founder, Editor, The Amiga The Amiga

MonitorMonitor Representing CUCUGRepresenting CUCUG

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Opening Statement Opening Statement Cont’d.Cont’d.

Other computer platformsOther computer platforms Growth of “Wintel”Growth of “Wintel” Negative effects of Wintel Negative effects of Wintel

“monopoly”“monopoly”

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Other Platforms:Other Platforms:Apple MacintoshApple Macintosh

Introduced in 1984Introduced in 1984 Graphical User Graphical User

Interface (GUI)Interface (GUI) Strengths: Printing, Strengths: Printing,

Desktop PublishingDesktop Publishing

((History of ComputingHistory of Computing))

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Other Platforms:Other Platforms:Commodore AmigaCommodore Amiga

Introduced in 1985Introduced in 1985 GUI, multitasking, GUI, multitasking,

32-bit, OO, MM, 32-bit, OO, MM, etc.!etc.!

Strengths: Graphics, Strengths: Graphics, Desktop VideoDesktop Video

((History of ComputingHistory of Computing))

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Intel Intel OutOutside?side?

Mac/Amiga use Motorola Mac/Amiga use Motorola processorsprocessors– 68000 series in Amigas and 68000 series in Amigas and

early Macsearly Macs– PowerPC in PowerMacsPowerPC in PowerMacs

Comparable to IntelComparable to Intel Problems with Intel Problems with Intel

architecturearchitecture

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

““640K ought to be 640K ought to be enough for anybody.”enough for anybody.”

- B. Gates, 1981- B. Gates, 1981

((History of Computing ProjectHistory of Computing Project))

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Growth of WintelGrowth of Wintel

IBM created the Personal IBM created the Personal ComputerComputer– IBM’s extensive legacy/historyIBM’s extensive legacy/history– 1981: introduced “IBM PC”1981: introduced “IBM PC”

Intel provided processor; Intel provided processor; Microsoft provided operating Microsoft provided operating systemsystem

IBM faltered; Microsoft/Intel IBM faltered; Microsoft/Intel succeededsucceeded

(MicrocomputerHistory)

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

May the Best Technology May the Best Technology Win?Win?

Not Necessarily!Not Necessarily! Famous example: Famous example:

Sony Betamax vs. Sony Betamax vs. VHS (VHS (History of History of Computing ProjectComputing Project))

IOMega Zip vs. IOMega Zip vs. SyQuest EZ-Drive SyQuest EZ-Drive ((Zip vs. EZZip vs. EZ))

Beta

Zip

VHS

EZ

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Drastic MeasuresDrastic Measures

Anti-competition clauses lock Anti-competition clauses lock computer manufacturers into computer manufacturers into using Microsoft productsusing Microsoft products

Internet Explorer bundled with Internet Explorer bundled with Windows, Netscape suffersWindows, Netscape suffers– Market Share: IE >90, Netscape <10 Market Share: IE >90, Netscape <10

((BrowserWatchBrowserWatch))

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Effects of Wintel Effects of Wintel MonopolyMonopoly

Lack of competition hinders Lack of competition hinders progressprogress

Lack of competitors discourages Lack of competitors discourages new competitorsnew competitors

Power to the fewPower to the few Superior technology ignored or Superior technology ignored or

forgottenforgotten

12/200112/2001 Communication 301 – Mike WebbCommunication 301 – Mike Webb

Mike Webbwebb@cucug.org607-272-7413