From: aa596@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Peter Haller)
Subject: Re: Master Tracks Pro and Windows 3.1 - HELP!
Reply-To: aa596@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Peter Haller)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 92 00:11:02 GMT


In a previous article, bgood@sundagger.lerc.nasa.gov () says:

>I think a lot of us that use Next, Atari or Mac will somehow find it in ourselves to
>resist the siren song of Windows.  I, for one, am far more interested in seeing
>something like a future Vision/Galaxy/MAX combination running under a real
>multitasking operating system;  getting into DOS at this time seems like
>beating a long-dead horse.
>
>If DOS/Windows does become the defacto standard, I think we'll all be poorer for
>it, especially if more innovative and powerful platforms and operating systems
>are stillborn because of it.  
>

I'll agree that DOS is old and antiquated. This is the reason for Windows. (I 
know that I will not change your mind, so I will not try. Instead I will talk
from the perspective of a developer.)  While Windows uses the DOS file system,
this is about all. Windows provides the Memory management, Multitasking, and
most importanly, device independance. (I am currently using a MOTU Time piece
under Win3.1 with out fail, albiet with some home grown drivers for Windows.)
The point of Windows is the API and the device independance. Writing for
Windows now or for the future is a safe bet, as long as you follow the rules.
(Many don't.) Windows NT will completely replace the DOS file manger, though
support for reading such an 'outdated' file system will be maintained. (Yes,
I am buying into Microsofts plans and announcements. They seem to be as 
accurate as any other software or hardware manufactures. [Are you listening
Atari?]) 

Win3.1 is not a 'fix' for 3.0. It is what Windows was ment to be, for 16 bit
applications. It seemlessly binds hardware into a central control. (I can
hear the flames!) While there will always be alternatives and none of us
really know what we'll be using in ten years, Microsoft with Windows is
trying to address the future as best as any industry leader can. Whether
Microsoft and Windows will control the future market remains to be seen. But
with sales in the millions and growing, how can you argue that it does not
control the software that is being developed? Why would any niche market
software develope - ie MIDI - ignore Windows? Users are comfortable with
DOS and are growing comfortable with Windows. Developers can not ignore
this, not if they want thier 'market share'. 

As a personal note to all of this: My company has developed custom Atari
software for the MIDI market for two years. All of a sudden, my customers
are asking for Windows versions of everything I have done. In addition,
new customers - via referal - are asking for Windows product info and what
I can do for them. (I've yet to be asked about Mac or Amiga.) I can't
ignore, nor would I, Microsoft and Windows.

Off my soap box...

PCH

-- 
Peter C. Haller				|	'If you do what you 
Imagination Processing Systems		|	have always done,
aa596@cleveland.Freenet.Edu 		|	expect what you have
"Are we having fun yet?"		|	always recieved.'