Following last week’s agreement between Microsoft Corp and Apple Computer Inc to back each other’s technologies (CI No 1,966), The New York Times put Bill Gates and John Sculley on the spot and asked them to clarify their relationship. Despite their often acrimonious differences, the two claim to be allies, although recent slanging matches and legal disputes would seem to indicate otherwise. Both insist that Microsoft is committed to the Macintosh, and Sculley makes a point of recalling that Microsoft was supportive right from the beginning. Gates acknowledges that there was a time when Microsoft threatened to cease developing software for the Macintosh, but given his talent for lucre, he must have been talking to the marines. The Macintosh business represents approximately $265m in annual revenue in the company’s fiscal 1992 just ending, and Microsoft says that’s its highest level ever, 65% higher than last year. Anyway, according to Gates …I came down and saw John. Apple licensed us some rights and we reaffirmed our commitment. Well that’s all right then. So have the lads put that lawsuit behind them?
Life goes on
Sculley says that despite filing a motion for reconsideration, Apple never ran its business on the assumption that it would win, ..so life goes on then. Now there’s a philosophy to induce wet dreams in every law fraternity across the country. Still, true to the type that persuades millions to drink teeth-rotting bilge-water, solely on the back of image, Mr Sculley isn’t that laid back. Apple’s recent advertising says that the Macintosh is very different from Microsoft Windows, and Sculley insists that this is so once you get beyond the screens. Bill Gates, while declining to dissect every single ad, says mildly …I think I’d find somethings I disagree with. For example? Well, the it’s only software line deemed a memo saying he’d be glad to be hung on that line. In Bill Gates position, wouldn’t you? Sorry if I bruised Bill a little on that one…, says Apple’s chairman. Commentators say that their experimental interfaces are very similar, and Sculley suggests that they have the same goals, even if they’re travelling from different directions. Gates is more enigmatic, suggesting that while they share a goal, Microsoft’s screens will change between now and general release. And does Apple’s relationship with IBM affect its alliance with IBM? No, says Sculley. Whatever happens to software technology in the personal computer industry is still determined by Apple and Microsoft, so people shouldn’t be too suprised if they decide to do certain things together.
Collaborate
The highlight of this pact is for the pair to collaborate on future technologies to ensure the evolution of Microsoft’s applications for the Apple Macintosh. Also, Microsoft has announced updates of three applications for the Macintosh and revealed plans to develop versions of its applications that will run on Apple’s next-generation computer, the PowerPC. Applications for the PowerPC Macintosh will run in native mode and be designed explicitly for the new PowerPC chip. The three updated applications are Microsoft Works, version 3.0; Microsoft Project, version 3.0; and Microsoft Mail, version 3.1. The two companies spelled out a series of technology initiatives and Apple intends to support Microsoft’s Open Database Connectivity applications programming interface as a standard facility of the Macintosh Data Access Manager, enabling Open Database-compliant applications to have access to server databases through one set of API calls. In addition, Microsoft and Apple have endorsed the combination of Open Database and Apple’s Data Access Language, via Apple’s Data Access Manager, as a cross-system offering. Apple says that it intends to build, distribute and support a Macintosh Open Database Connectivity-Data Access Langauge client; the client will translate Open Database calls and information into Data Access Language functions and requests and give Open Database applications access to Data Access Language servers. Apple intends to dev
elop an ODBC/DAL client for the Windows operating system, while Microsoft will distribute and support the ODBC/DAL client for Windows. Microsoft will support Apple’s Open Collaboration Environment in the next major updates to its flagship applications for the Macintosh, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Microsoft will support Apple’s QuickDraw GX in future versions of its applications for the Macintosh and support will be in three areas: use of the new print architecture will provide new printing features, as well as more powerful printing; the new imaging model will provide with features formerly available in only high-end graphics packages; and use of the line layout manager will provide typographic quality text output.
Object Model
Microsoft is to expand support of the Object Model and AppleScript to its other applications. The FoxBase+ database is a further addition to the applications for the Macintosh, and Microsoft Project version 3.0 organises, schedules, charts and summarises all aspects of a project. In addition to planning the schedule, Project manages resources and budgets for multiple projects, enabling users to view and manipulate data. Project 3.0 has enhanced consistency with the Macintosh interface, other Microsoft applications, and Microsoft Project for the Windows operating system. Microsoft Project for the Macintosh version 3.0 will be available in August at $700 and current users of Microsoft Project can upgrade to version 3.0 for $149, while users of other project management software packages can switch for $200. Microsoft Works version 3.0 will ship in the third quarter for $250. Version 3.0 includes multi-line headers and footers with automatic date-time-page number; Microsoft Mail support; character formatting including 256 colours; previewing of stationery documents; workspaces to group commonly used documents; and recorder macros.
