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