From: cs611a10@umbc5.umbc.edu (cs611a10)
Subject: Re: Number of users etc.
Organization: University of Maryland Baltimore Campus, Academic Computing Services
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 18:49:44 GMT


>Also interesting is the same for Windows 3.1. In this case (an maybe in
>the OS/2 case) subtractions for "shelfware" might be needed.
>
   By shelfware I assume you mean programs bought, but not in use, right???
Lots of people believe that a hefty amount of MicroSloth Windows aren't
being used.  Before calling me a bigot, I agree that there must be people
out there who bought OS/2 and aren't using it (can we help it if they
have no taste in operating systems),  but using a little common sense
I (note: me personally) believe that a greater percentage of people 
are NOT using Windows, than are people not using OS/2 for one reason:
    
     The ease in which Windows can be bought, compared to what has to be
done to buy OS/2.  Windows packages are sold EVERYWHERE!! Anybody been
to a computer store that doesn't have Windows out on display CHEAP
($49 or so now???).  Any common user can say that looks neat, I'll think
I will try it.  Its like going to EggHead and buying Wing Commander because
the box look pretty.  If they like Windows, they will use it. If they don't,
then it goes on the self.

    OS/2, on the other hand, is much more difficult to buy.
When I bought it the ONLY place it could be found is directly from IBM.
If people have to go through this trouble, and wait 2-4 weeks for it to
arrive, they probably have thought about this a lot, and have concluded this
is what I need!! (whether it is or not is not the question).  Anybody who
has doubts would probably not have ordered it in the first place.

    Here's definite proof that at least SOME Windows packages are instant
selfware.  Everybody and their cousin is GIVING away Windows with their
packages.  I forked over the money for 3.1, but when I bought a Soundblaster
Pro, I got a FREE Windows 3.1 System.  What am I going to do, install TWO
versions of Windows on my machine???  Mouse Systems (mice???) comes with
Windows, Scanners come with Windows, all new machines come with Windows,
CD drives and some Video cards come eith windows.  SOME of these are bound
to go to users already running windows. I also think that users would
be less likely to use a system that they got as an extra bonus, instead of
something they went out and spent some effort to get.  Its kind of like mailing
out NRA bumper stickers. How many people are going to put them on their car
(opps, I mean TRUCK with a gun rack in the rear window).  Not many (I wouldnt).
On the otherhand, people who PAY the NRA to get these stickers are more likely
(opps, I mean WILL) to stick them onto their trucks simply because they have
a desire to do so.

   Here's a question: IBM is counting the number of OS/2 2.0 being sold,
right?? Is MicroSoft counting the number of 3.0 sold, 3.1 sold, or all 3.x
packages sold???? If it is counting ALL 3.x sold, they are out of line, since
3.1 is basically an upgrade.  How many people have Windows 3.0 AND 3.1 
installed on their machines???  Its true 0S/2 2.0 is an upgrade from 1.x,
but IBM isn't including 1.3 sales in the number of OS/2 sold (right????).
Is Microsoft including win-os2 in their sales of Windows??? If they are
OS/2 will never sell more than Windows!!!!!!!!!!!

  DEEP THOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I figured out how to COUNT ALL Microsoft 3.x users.  Anybody ACTUALLY
USING  Windows 3.0 would have upgraded to 3.1 by now to fix  (kind of)
all the faults of 3.0.  Simply count up the number of 3.1 units sold and
we know how many (at least a good upper bound: SOME people will still look at 
3.1 and say this still sucks) ACTUAL users of Windows there are. 

>And last but not least, is the number of NT betatesters (prerelease
>users) known?

  Present number of NT BETA-testers. ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NONE.  NT is NOT in
BETA TESTS (yet)!!!! It will be sometime between NOW and 2001.  Remember
these are the people who released Windows 3.1 ONE YEAR after their inital
estimate, and still couldn't get it right!!!!  Maybe some MicroSoft people
can take some time away from flaming us OS/2 people (IBM:"my operating system
is better than yours", MS: "no yours sticks, OURS will be MUCH better", IBM:
"you don't have an operating syetms yet", MS: "We will SOON, and it will be
MUCH better than yours WHEN it comes out", IBM: "PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!!")
and figure out how many prerelease users of NT are there. Also try to
figure out how many are ACTUALLY using the NT system (I'm joking, don't
try to look that up, it might give you a headache).


  Spelling by PETE.EXE 
(  Its true MicroSoft can write BUG FREE SOFTWARE!!!!!! )

  DTB