PowerOpen
6 messages in this thread
Geoff,
> it will run on Sun and HP machines … I think that it will provide
> a full emulation of the mac.
On their own Unix A/UX, Apple does not provide a "full emulation". What you
have today under A/UX 3.0 is System 7.0.1 with a bunch of well documented
restrictions. We'll see how Apple does it under PowerOpen, let us know about
your visit in Hanover !
Alberic
Have you seen the Apple OS plans document?
If not I will post it here
Cheers Geoff
Geoff,
No, I haven't seen recent formal OS annoucements from Apple. I am looking
forward to see them posted here.
Alberic
Here they are;
Apple Charts Course for Operating Systems
=========================================
[adapted from press release]
March 7, 1994 – Apple Computer, Inc., today outlined its "Stand
Out and Fit In" strategy for the future development of its Apple
Macintosh operating-system software.
"We aim to make Macintosh technology even more relevant – and
available to – a much broader group of customers, including
Windows and MS-DOS users," said David Nagel, Apple senior vice
president and general manager of the company's AppleSoft division,
which is responsible for development and marketing of system
software. "We plan to extend our leadership in making computing
even more natural and intuitive. And we also plan to make
Macintosh the best citizen in a world that has – and will continue
to have – many different types of computers in it."
"Stand Out" aspects of Apple's strategy include using the power of
Apple's upcoming Macintosh on PowerPC systems to extend the
Macintosh user interface capabilities. With future releases of
system software, the interface is expected to incorporate elements
of active assistance. Over time, greater levels of intelligence
are to be made available, so that the computer can more actively
help the user work, learn and communicate. Other "stand out"
platform innovations are slated to include advanced graphics and
multimedia technologies, improved speech recognition and
text-to-speech capabilities, and enhancements that should make the
Macintosh operating system the best platform for collaboration
services.
A key element of Apple's strategy, in terms of both standing out
and fitting in, is the OpenDoc component application architecture.
OpenDoc defines a new way for applications to be created, using
object-oriented technology. These smaller applications, or
software parts, which by design are interoperable with other parts
and applications, can be mixed and matched to more effectively
build custom solutions. With OpenDoc, a user opens a document,
which can contain any kind of information or data, and edits or
manipulates different kinds of data – text, graphics, sound,
animation – without switching between different applications.
This new way of interacting with a document lets the user focus on
the task at hand, rather than on the capabilities or
idiosyncrasies of the application.
"With OpenDoc, we expect our customers to benefit in two ways:
they will receive the fruits of innovation more quickly, and they
will have transparent software that lets them focus on their work
without having to become application specialists," said A. J.
Dennis of WordPerfect Corporation. "The realization of modular,
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component software and in-place editing lets us deliver solutions
that address specific needs of the user without getting in the
way. "
OpenDoc is a cross-platform application architecture, which
contributes to Apple's goals for fitting in. Apple is working
with companies such as IBM, Novell, Taligent, WordPerfect and
Xerox to ensure that OpenDoc is developed and enhanced as an open
standard; available on the most popular personal computing
platforms; works well over computer networks; and is interoperable
with other application architectures, such as Microsoft's Object
Linking Environment (OLE).
In addition to OpenDoc, Apple's "Fit In" strategy is designed to
ensure that Macintosh customers work well in mixed computing
environments. As part of this strategy, Macintosh on PowerPC
systems are expected to feature applications compatibility with
existing Macintosh applications. In addition, options are planned
for application compatibility with Windows and MS-DOS software.
Apple also plans system-level compatibility with popular
networking protocols such as TCP/IP and Novell NetWare IPX;
interoperability with mail and messaging systems; and
interoperability with a wide variety of personal-computer file
formats.
1994 Product Plans
——————
Apple plans to ship Macintosh on PowerPC this month, with an
operating system that provides a robust foundation for future
enhancements and compatibility with existing Macintosh
applications. Plans for these systems include the option of
compatibility with Windows and MS-DOS software.
Later this year, Apple plans to ship a major release of the
operating system, System 7.5, which includes a range of
advancements in the areas of active assistance, customization,
advanced graphics, networking and interoperability. Also in 1994,
Apple expects to deliver OpenDoc to software developers.
Future Product Plans
——————–
Apple plans other major releases of system software in the coming
two years. The first planned release is expected to incorporate
OpenDoc and include further technology advances in the area of
active assistance, as well as system-level improvements in areas
such as multitasking, memory protection and data input/output.
Apple plans to later deliver an even more advanced version of its
operating system, which is slated to provide intelligent
assistance, a fully exploited microkernel architecture and a
significant advancement in graphics.
on a lighter note;-
WHAT driving to the store would be like if computer operating systems ran your
car?
MS-DOS: You get in the car and try to remember where you put your keys.
Wi
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Windows: You get in the car and drive to the store very slowly because attached
to the back of the car is a freight train.
Macintosh System 7: You get in the car to go to the store, and the car drives
you to church.
UNIX: You get in the car and type GREP STORE. After reaching speeds of 200
miles an hour en route, you arrive at the barber shop.
Windows NT: You get in the car and write a letter that says, "go to the store."
Then you get out of the car and mail the letter to your dashboard.
Taligent/Pink: You walk to the store with Ricardo Montalban who tells you how
wonderful it will be when he can fly you to the store in his Learjet.
OS/2: After fueling up with 6000 gallons of gas, you get in the car and drive
to the store with a motorcycle escort and a marching band in procession.
Halfway there, the car blows up, killing everybody in town.
S/36 SSP [mainframe, obv.]: You get in the car and drive to the store. Halfway
there you run out of gas. While walking the rest of the way, you are run over
by kids on mopeds.
OS/400: An attendant locks you into the car and then drives you to the store
where you get to watch everybody else buy filet mignons.
VAX/VMS: You use up tremendous amounts of gas to go very slowly and only
getting to see an image of the store.
AmigaDOS: Your car somehow takes you to several stores simultaneously, where
kids in the parking lot try to insert quarters in the grill and play Arkanoid.
The car's non-standard design gets lots of stares, but no recognition or
interest.
NeXTStep: You get into your exotic sports car to go the store, but realize the
fuel tank is empty. The store goes out of business while you try to make some
of the unique fuel your ride needs.
MS-DOS 6: You get into the car, a note pinned to the dashboard orders you to
return the fuel system to the manufacturer. You walk to the store.
Cheers
Geoff