POWERPC (CONT).

Users still have to make that big choice between one operating system or another. Good news includes the current availability of some popular software packages designed specifically for the PowerPC such as WordPerfect native Power Macintosh. Bad news includes the decision of Lotus Corporation not to produce native PowerPC versions at the present time. Even more discouraging for PowerPC hopefuls are analyst forecasts of the pent up demand for Windows 95 and Windows 2000 that will probably lead consumers toward Intel and NexGen processors. At the moment, it's still a horse race between Intel and PowerPC with PowerPC far behind and waning hopes for a burst of speed. Francis (1994) reports that Moody's Investors Service Inc. placed Apple Corporation under review largely due to "concerns about the computer vendor's long-term operating performance and the viability of its technology strategy." A huge area of concern has been the tapering off of demand for the new Power Mac versions of the PowerPC. Apple's share of the PC market reached 14% in 1993, but has since slipped back down to less than 5%. Apple admits to losing the operating system war to Microsoft. In Information Week, November 11, 1996, p. 26 Marco Landi (Chief Operating Officer at Apple Corporatiion) is quoted as saying "We are not an OSS company. We've lost that battle." In 1997, Apple intends on moving more into the cross- platform basis for software for the Internet. (See Cross-platform . Market share determines the number of native software applications being developed for operating systems. Mac, UNIX, and other operating systems are losing the native software development war to Windows 95, 97, and Windows 2000. Windows 2000 is almost certain to become the PC operating system standard of choice until its upgrade called Windows Cairo rolls off the line and/or Windows 2000 with upgraded object-oriented programming features become the operating systems of choice among users having newer hardware speed and memory components. But for users who stand by their Power Macs, we recommend joining the Apple Multimedia Program (408-974-4897) that offers a variety of online services and other services that, in our viewpoint, are well worth the $750 price of membership. (See also Native , CPU , Pentium , CISC , RISC , Taligent , Operating system , Mozart , Copeland , Gershwin , and Mac )