E Pluribus Unum: On the Net

New deal politics. Much Net traffic re: the HPÐTaligent deal. The usual suspects pounced: Here's proof that HP isn't really serious about NEXTSTEP (or is really cheesed about the SunÐNeXT deal). Others countered that Taligent isn't anywhere near shipping a product, even the OO "development tools" it now plans to publish first in lieu of a full OS. Yet others: HP has a history of building a platform, then licensing as many operating systems as possible to run on it. The doom-and-gloomers would probably be mollified if HP ponied up with some serious cash. One positive spin: Bill Gates ought to be worried (even if Steve did attend his wedding).

Platforms, platforms everywhere. While Sun backs up its commitment by showing NEXTSTEP in its booth at ObjectWorld (and running want ads for NS programmers), rumors abounded about new ports. PowerHouse is said to be polishing up the NRW (on the NeXT campus?), while DEC Alpha AXP certification seems near, according to one poster. But everybody wants to know if NS will run on HP's new Gecko (real name Model 712): starting price about $4000.

Good press and bad. The only thing worse than being talked about, per Oscar Wilde, is not being talked about. Between the Stross book portraying him as a petulant (but very lucky) child, and Forbes naming him one of the world's toughest bosses, Steve might not agree. This month, Byte and IEEE Spectrum praise NS, while The Red Herring flames Steve for not writing an article for it. The nerve of some people!

Because you asked. "Sic transit gloria mundi" (January 1994) is neither a reference to Ms. Steinem's health nor the motto of the New York City subway system (that would be "Sick transit . . ."). Literally, it's "Thus passes the glory of the world." There will be a quiz . . .

by Steve Fricke