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Low-Key and Laid Back (3/6/98)
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It would appear that our concern over the Newton protest was unwarranted. It seems to have been a civilized and relaxed display, with restraint and understanding shown on both sides of the issue-- and nary a pitchfork or Molotov cocktail in sight. Even the media coverage attracted by the event was surprisingly non-apocalyptic, as evidenced by CNET's details on the protest.
About seventy representatives of the Newton community showed up to protest the decision. Apple had provided a space for them in the parking lot of Apple headquarters, and in a true display of coolness, even supplied them baked goods and beverages. A (former) Newton executive met with the group to pick up a list of ten questions that the Newton Developers Group wanted to ask Steve Jobs, mainly centering around the obvious: Why did Apple squelch the Newton, Inc. spin-off if they were only going to kill the project altogether? And why wasn't Newton sold to another company, rather than shut down? (The answer to the latter question is, apparently, that no one was buying. D'oh!!) Apple has also scheduled a teleconference with Newton developers this coming Tuesday to answer further questions.
Rather than take an antagonistic stance against the protesters, or even simply ignoring them altogether, Apple saw the event as an opportunity to hear grievances and try to bring Newton developers over to the Mac OS side. (Apple's next handhelds, due next year, will run a "lite" version of the Mac OS instead of the Newton operating system.) The key, of course, is the baked goods. AtAT firmly believes that there isn't a problem on earth that can't be ameliorated with the liberal application of baked goods, and we're happy to see that Apple is aware of the plan's effectiveness.
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SceneLink (510)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 3/6/98 episode: March 6, 1998: The Newton protest more closely resembled a love-in than, say, Kent State. Meanwhile, Apple and Global Village are locked in high-level talks, the subject of which is anyone's guess, and Microsoft is still trying to force Java through a meat-grinder...
Other scenes from that episode: 511: Cost-Cuts --> Buyouts (3/6/98) We realized with a shock that it's been a long, long time since this show has featured buyout rumors of a highly speculative and unlikely nature. Since we certainly don't like to disappoint, we'd like to mention the item over at Mac OS Rumors that raises the possibility of Apple purchasing Global Village, the makers of fine networking and communications products... 512: When Is Java Not Java? (3/6/98) Remember the last time Microsoft introduced a new version of Java? It caused a lawsuit. Microsoft released Internet Explorer 4 with an implementation of Java with certain classes removed, prompting Sun to sue for breach of contract...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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