Porting to another 32-bit operating system was trivial. To increase the visibility of alternative 32-bit platforms to application developers and hardware vendors, we need to communicate our desire for alternatives. We can get the ball rolling if each of us writes to our favorite computing publication that reviews hardware or software and asks it to include a check box for other systems in their standard review summaries. We have all seen tables in reviews of desktop or laptop computers that list all sorts of features such as standard and max RAM, hard disk, ports and cost. By getting our favorite periodicals to support our desire for information on non-Windows systems, we will provide a strong incentive to manufacturers to support them.
Manufacturers hate to see unchecked boxes in evaluations.
Similarly, for applications, there should be a check box for support of the other systems. In any large office there is a need to share files. The tested alternative would mean that they have tested their product and verified that it runs on the other system. For example, the Windows apps that run in WinOS2 would be marked as tested. The stark image of empty circles in comparison tables would encourage application developers and hardware manufacturers to support a wider variety of systems.