A Lesson in Relationships

Alan Frayer, CNE, CNI, CIW CI, Net+, MCP

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Some names just seem to belong together, like Siskel and Ebert, Abbott and Costello, Bill and Ted (excellent, dude!).

Some names aren't as likely to stay together as we thought. At one time, we believed IBM and Microsoft would be in that former category. After all, that potent duo showed the world PC/MS-DOS and OS/2 with Presentation Manager. It might have been forever.

Just as divorce runs rampant through our society (what's Sonny without Cher, or Donald without Ivana?), the marriage of IBM and Microsoft is on the rocks, with both sides openly courting new partners. The disagreement over the future of Windows and its place in the future of OS/2 has left the two companies building their own solutions, basically independent of each other.

Neither company can stand the single life, any more than Zsa Zsa or Liz; it's not in their nature. IBM, although it won't admit it, is just a hardware company. Its efforts at PC software, alone, have been failures for one reason or another. Likewise, Microsoft needs a platform to lay its wizardry upon, and without IBM the company must lean on someone else.

IBM feels burned by its experience. No longer will it place all its eggs in one basket. IBM is looking to build a harem of software companies to fill the vacancy left by Microsoft. The most recent prospective bride is one of the most unlikely: Apple. IBM and Apple are examining the possibility of exchanging pieces of each other's technology, with the eventual goal of co-existence between the two companies. Even if Apple proves too reluctant, IBM has already lined up Go Corporation, Novell, and Borland (whose C++ is the object oriented language of choice for the new OS/2). More are on the way.

All but turned away, Microsoft has begun to apply its charms elsewhere. Confident MS-DOS will continue to dominate the 16-bit market, thanks to the success of Windows 3.0, the company is turning its attention to the elusive 32-bit market. Its Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) will find itself competing with Unix and IBM's OS/2, and it won't be going it alone. IBM's two chief rivals, Compaq and Digital Equipment Corporation, have agreed to assist Microsoft in stealing the wind from IBM's sails.

I don't think you'll actually get to watch IBM and Microsoft go at each other on "Divorce Court," but friendly suits are bound to happen, especially after ACE makes its appearance. Windows and Presentation Manager are too similar, and Microsoft is not about to give up on a formula that has already proven successful.

This break up doesn't spell the beginning of the end. After all, Paul Simon found there was life after Art Garfunkel.


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