The press release from Stardock was simply a statement from Brad Wardell that IBM and his company were unable to come to terms with IBM over distribution rights for the next release of Warp 5 (as we first reported in our February issue. The article insists that IBM simply has no plans whatsoever for developing a new "fat client" version of OS/2; e.g. Warp 5.
The second press release from SciTech (included in this month's "Other News" section), describes how IBM has negotiated a special version of the company's SciTech Display Doctor to be distributed by IBM as the primary display driver for all of IBM's OS/2 Warp based operating systems. The product is a graphics utility package that improves a PC's graphics performance, ensures that applications run correctly, and fixes many common graphics problems (a free trial version is available).
Hmm... What does this mean? Frankly, I don't buy the argument that "IBM has simply finally made the decision that a new OS/2 client would be in conflict with their strategic directions." First, IBM wouldn't have entered discussions with Stardock about distribution rights if there weren't any product plans. Second, the SciTech announcement is strong evidence that IBM hasn't abandoned OS/2 completely. In fact, the SciTech Display Doctor would be a welcomed addition to OS/2, a product that has been fighting the lack of device drivers for some time now. In fact, the SciTech add-on is a natural and clearly indicates something is being planned for OS/2 (see SciTech's Press Releases for more information).
Frankly, the selection of Stardock as an OS/2 distributor didn't make sense to me; instead, my money would be on some sort of consortium of BMT Micro-OS/2 Supersite and Indelible Blue. Not only are these organizations in the same approximate location, North Carolina, but they all specialize in re-selling and are intimate with OS/2. Please do not jump to any conclusions in this regard; I have no formal knowledge of such a business relationship. I'm simply saying that if IBM indeed wants to job out distribution/marketing rights of OS/2 to an outside company, I would pick a company that specializes in re-selling over an OS/2 developer.
So, will there be a Warp 5 (or whatever else it might be called) released this year? Highly
unlikely. In my February column, I said April 1999 would have been an ideal time to release
Warp 5 (to coincide with Comdex in Chicago). But now, COMDEX/Fall
is here (November 15-19) and IBM certainly does not want to go head-to-head with any announcement
Microsoft might make regarding Windows 2000 (which inevitably will be late, possibly until February). And
since IBM essentially shuts down after the November Comdex, I think they will simply let Y2K pass by,
let the Windows 2000 release come and go, then quietly release Warp 5 in the Spring.
Keep the Faith!
PAST EDITORIALS
Copyright © M&JB 1999
