Why is everyone waiting around for DOS/Windows application developers to legitimize the OS/2 operating system? What we have here is a complete lack of understanding on how to get applications written for Warp. It's not done by kowtowing at the feet of the great software developers, it's done with cash, greenbacks, moolah, nickels, dimes and the last penny stuck to the rubber stopper at the bottom of our piggy banks.

It might have been true at one time that an OS needed a native version of 1-2-3 to even think of selling a copy or two, but that just isn't so anymore. A brand name won't guarantee you better software these days; Netscape proved that with Navigator. Who had even heard of Netscape two years ago. . . No one. Today, even my little brother can tell me who Mark Andreson is. Technology and packaging are what's getting it done out there. You either have to put out a better product, dress it up nicer, or both.

Another example: a year ago Microsoft's Visual Basic was on it's way to dominating the MS-Windows developer software market, with a little help from it's grown up cousin, Visual C++. Borland was getting killed in the language development market. Borland then released Delphi and gave every PASCAL programmer on the planet the biggest thrill they've had since Wirth invented the language. C++ programmers wanted to know when they were going to see a C/C++ version of Delphi and suddenly Borland could do no wrong. A brand name people didn't think they could depend on anymore was now everyone's trusted friend again. Delphi put PASCAL back on hard drives and Borland back to profitability. It didn't make a difference if Delphi was being put out by a successful company, one that was down and out, or two teenagers working out of their father's garage, the product was good and people wanted it.

Brad Wardell over at Stardock has realized that all he has to do is put out a product that everyone wants and the money will beat a path to his door. From everything I've heard, Stardock has trouble filling orders for Object Desktop because the demand is so high. No one cares that Microsoft's moniker doesn't precede OD's name, they just want to know when and where they can get their own copy. Suddenly the name Stardock means good OS/2 software and a brand name has been created. It's time we stopped whining at Netscape's back door for scraps and let them know we don't care if they're giving the Windows version away for free, we are taking our Visas and Mastercards and we're going down to Egghead and we're all ordering copies of the first native OS/2 browser that's the least bit better than WebExplorer. Those of us with American Express cards are going to buy two, one regular and one with great big, bright red racing stripes.

The recent flood of PM e-mail utilities is a clear indicator that people other than Brad Wardell want our money and are willing to publish quality software to get it. Knightware (MR/2 ICE), SouthSide Software (PMMail), NeoLogic (NeoLogic Mail Reader--soon to be released) and InnoVal (Post Road Mailer) have all come out with great products and they let you try them before you buy! If you think Microsoft is gonna let you test drive Microsoft Mail for 30 days, you can call me when your space ship gets back to earth.

The big name software companies have gotten fat and will continue to get fatter as they feed off their flock of Windows sheep, but we don't have to beg them for attention anymore. We have attracted the attention of some young and hungry programmers and they are more than eager to serve us. These successful developers will accomplish what the clumsy efforts of those lumbering giants, Borland, IBM, Corel, Microsoft (very early on) and Lotus have not been able to; legitimize the OS/2 market. Before too long, all those Windows developers will see that there is money to be had and more importantly, money that is being lost. We will not have to wait at their back door for table scraps, they will come to us for something to eat.

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