The software giant rides high on the success of Windows 95
MICROSOFT Corp chairperson Bill Gates
calls it "a phenomenon". On August 24,
the us software giant unleashed the latest in its arsenal of operating systems all over the world. Preceded by a us $200
million -promotional blitzkrieg, the
much awaited Windows 95 (Win95) -
expected to revolutionise PC desktops
with the help of Microsoft Network, the
company's new online service - came into being.
Win95 is the first major upgrade to
Windows, the operating system for 8
out of 10 PCs, since 1990. The key features of the new operating system are
pre-emptive multi-tasking (running
more than one program at a time),
Multi-threading, scalable performance,
support for 32-bit applications as well as
the existing 16-bit ones, increased reliability, faster printing, better multimedia support, more memory for MS-DOS-
based applications, support for mobile
computing and a "plug-and-play" concept which makes adding a modem,
printer or network card as easy as it is on Mac.
The us Justice Department's investigations into Microsoft's contracts with
PC makers has not put much drag on the
company's onward thrust. Fuelling an
already booming PC market, Microsoft
is aiming to rake in about us $1 billion
on Win95 upgrades in its first year (not
including the applications programs).
While computer users worldwide
plan to upgrade their
hardware to run the new
system, software compa-
nies and makers of chips,
memory, graphics equip-
ment and modems are
awaiting the inevitable
surge in demand. "We
do expect Win95 to be
the one key element for
customers buying Pcs,"
said Jacques Clay, general
manager of Hewlett-
Packard's worldwide
desktop PC business. The
International Data Corporation has predicted that by
1996 end, nearly 70 million
PCs worldwide will be running Win95; at us $50 to
$100 a copy, it translates into
big bucks.
In India, Microsoft plans
to sell about 100,000 copies
in the first year. Microsoft
India manager Rajiv Nair
says the new software would
reduce support costs and
increase desktop control
and end-user productivity.
However, the cost of upgradation - which works out to
Rs 22,800 for a steep
machine - might prove a
dampener for many an
enthusiast.
Like any other money-spinning innovation, Win95
too has been plagued by
piracy. Counterfeit copies of
the program have been reportedly on
sale in Hong Kong and China since last
bctober, when the first trial versions
became available for users to test. In the
Netherlands and Belgium, 50,000 copies
of the system are circulating illegally.
Microsoft's gain is loss for some.
International Business Machines (IBM),
which is countering the Win95 media
hype with reminders to computer users
about its own existing os/2 system,
could very well be one of
the losers. The os/2 occupies only 10 per cent of the
market; with Win95
matching many of its features, its vulnerability has
increased. To compete
with Microsoft, a group of
50 Japanese, us and
European companies have
come together to set the
standards for the next
generation of a key operating system.
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