From: jhenshaw@microsoft.com (Jeff Henshaw)
Subject: Re: Insults (was: Re: standardizing NeXTSTEP)
Date: 16 Dec 92 18:03:20 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation


In article <1gmleqINNm78@phakt.usc.edu>,
rawyatt@phakt.usc.edu (Robert Alexander Wyatt) writes...

| In regard to Jeff Henshaw's comments...
|

<< Thrashing of Microsoft and its products deleted. >> 
 
| However...if I am not mistaken, was it not Bill Gates who initiated the war 
| between MicroSoft and NeXT?  From what I understand, Jobs wanted MicroSoft to
| port software to NeXT, but Gates flat out refused...in fact, didn't Gates
| make some ridiculous comment to the effect that he would rather piss on the
| machine then develop for it?...(read it in UNIXWorld or some mag like that - 
| don't flame me if I'm wrong)

Interesting that you mention the notion of Microsoft "starting a war."
You are both correct and incorrect.  You are correct that Jobs did
seek Microsoft's support for the NeXT platform (and continues to do
so, from what I read).  You are also correct in saying that Bill Gates
refused.  He didn't see NeXT as having a market potential suitable
for a development effort.  As far as Bill Gates saying "he'd rather piss
on the machine,"  well, I read that in Lt. Sullivan's column in NeXTworld
magazine.  I had never heard it before, especially not from Bill Gates.
If you can find a decent reference for this quote, then I'll be more
inclined to agree that Gates was out of line, but for now all you have is
"didn't Gates ... some ridiculous comment to the effect..."  I still see
Gates as making just another business decision.

| I was under the impression that Jobs had sought out MicroSoft support 
| initially...I don't think NeXT and MicroSoft will ever make a happy couple...
| NeXTstep is everything weenie Windows wants to be but never will...

I think that "weenie Windows" wants to be a top-selling software product,
with thousands of apps running on it, and millions of users worldwide.
It want to progress its technology, but not the the degree of losing its
existing customers in the process.  So far, NeXT does not exhibit any of
those qualities.

| MicroSoft can pride itself on vaporware until it is blue in the face - NeXT
| however delivers its customers the goods, not just empty promises...

I agree...NeXT delivers the goods.  As I said before, I love the system,
but hate the attitude that you're exhibiting.  Yes, NeXT delivers to its
customers the goods...they just need more customers to deliver to.

| So the war will continue and no one will win and eventually no one will care
| as NeXT carves out its market - with or without MicroSoft...I for one am happy
| that MicroSoft isn't writing anything for NeXT - not that I would so much as
| pay one cent for software like Excel or Word - on any platform!

I'm glad that key people at NeXT don't share your view.  The day that
Steve Jobs stops trying to get each and every software vendor writing
for his platform is that day that I give up hope of NeXT becoming a
truly successful (in both technology and userbase) company.

       ,       |
               |/\
______/| eff__/| / enshaw______________________________
       |/        \/
      /|                         jhenshaw@microsoft.com 
      \|                   not a microsoft spokesperson