Warpstock 99 - Atlanta, October 16-17, 1999
                    Two fun filled days of OS/2 and YOU!
          Register by September 6, 1999 to receive a discount!
               Visit http://www.warpstock.org for full details.

****************************** WarpCast ******************************
Source: fonz (fonz@gmx.at)
Moderator: Christopher B. Wright (wrightc@dtcweb.com)
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In 1998, Stardock took the position that if IBM had no current 
or projected plans for a new fat OS/2 client, that it was in the 
interests of OS/2 users and the computing community in general that 
a third-party should work with IBM to license OS/2 technology 
on an OEM basis and make a new client available.
 
To that end, late last year, Stardock prepared a business plan and 
opened negotiations with IBM. The wheels of bureacracy grind slowly, 
but eventually it was up to "IBM" (executive level) to make the ultimate 
call on proceeding.
 
For the past 6 months, Stardock and IBM have been working closely 
together in hammering out the details of an OS/2 client. Everything 
from potential names down to which minute components would or would 
not be included.  These meetings included multiple in person 
meetings with IBM staff and executives here at Stardock's office 
complex in Livonia Michigan.
 
With an agreement in principle in place, the last major hurdle 
was this week in which the IBMers in favor of our proposal (mostly in 
Austin) presented their case to IBM as a whole.
 
The call has been made -- there will be no new client from Stardock 
and IBM has indicated that they have no plans for an OS/2 based 
client of their own.
 
Though IBM indicated Stardock had the strongest proposal, they have 
decided that it is currently not in IBM's or their customer's interests 
to license any current OS/2 technology on an OEM-basis.
 
There was never any discord between IBM and Stardock over financials,
technical viability, target market, or the like.  IBM has simply finally
made the decision that a new OS/2 client would be in conflict with 
their strategic directions.
 
Stardock would like to extend a special thanks to all the IBMers 
(and in particular Ken Christopher and Timothy Sipples) who went above 
and beyond the call in working with us and going to bat inside IBM.  
Remember when you meet folks like them, who are and have been 
intimately involved with OS/2, that their hands may be just as tied 
as yours when the IBM Corporation as a whole sets policy.
 
Everything that could be done was done.
 
Brad
 
---
Brad Wardell
Product Manager: Object Desktop & The 
Corporate Machine
http://www.stardock.com

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