Rivals Unite Against Microsoft's Dominance

The world's largest computer firms, including Intel, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard, are joining forces to counter the growing influence of Microsoft in the business software market. By endorsing a single standard for the next generation of Unix operating software, the group aims to protect their position in the lucrative corporate computer market, where Microsoft's Windows NT is gaining traction.

Key Takeaways:

• More than 50 major computer firms are banded together to block Microsoft's march into the business software market, with Intel, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard leading the charge.
• The group has agreed to endorse a single standard for the next generation of Unix operating software, which dominates the market for large office computers.
• Microsoft's Windows NT is successfully eroding the market share of Unix in smaller business computers, prompting its rivals to act.
• Microsoft chairman Bill Gates predicts that Windows 95 will sell 40 million copies in its first year, tightening the company's grip on the PC market.
• The alliance could pose a significant barrier to Microsoft's Windows NT software, which is gaining momentum in the small business market.
• The costs of building Unix network systems are three to four times those of creating Windows NT systems, making Unix less competitive.

Statistics:

• More than 50 major computer firms are participating in the alliance.
• Windows 95 is expected to sell 40 million copies in its first year.
• Unix has 25 existing versions, making software development more complicated.
• The costs of building Unix network systems are three to four times those of creating Windows NT systems.

Sources:

• "Microsoft rivals band together to block Windows 95" by Mark Tran in New York, published in The Guardian.
• Intel press release announcing the Unix initiative.
• Analysts quoted in the article, including Kiyohiko Ishii from Nomura Research Institute.