Ashes, ashes, we all fall down - DOS will soon be obsolete - Insider - Column

Home Office Computing, May, 1994 by W.E. Coyote

In the Real World, You Can Always Count on Death and Taxes; In the Computer World, You Can't Count on Anything

Morning--365 chances a year to go back to bed. Friends and business associates who know that I work out of my home office imagine that I sleep until noon, work in my pajamas, and take frequent afternoon talk-show breaks. Ah, if only that were true. I rarely stop moving--and the same goes for the computer industry. I've got no choice in the matter--product life cycles are getting shorter every day--and he who hesitates is truly lost and obsolete...kinda like DOS.

In case you missed it last month, WordPerfect for DOS, version 6.0, is the last DOS-based WordPerfect: There will be no major upgrades, only interim fixes to ensure file compatibility with the Windows version. The same goes for WordPerfect Presentations and Draw-Perfect. And even though the company says it will continue to support its DOS programs, there will come a time when finding Model T Parts will be easier than getting compatible file filters for WordPerfect for Windows, version 9.

I call it the DOS Domino Theory. It states that there are three categories of software that remain rooted in DOS, and software publishers will continue to release DOS versions of these programs even after we've colonized Mars. The three are word processing, databases, and small-business accounting. However--and this is a big however--if one software company chooses to abandon development of its bread-and-butter DOS application, the dominoes start falling, and a requiem is sung for DOS. WordPerfect has kicked over the first domino. Now it's time to face facts--DOS is about to kick the bucket.

Need more convincing? Take a look at DOS databases. Borland is testing a new version of dBase V for DOS even as it prepares to roll out dBase for Windows. Doesn't that mean that Borland is committed to DOS? In a word--no. The new dBase V for DOS will only run on a 386 processor or better and will have an interface and a menu bar to make it Windows-like.

Software publishers are crumbling under the strain of trying to keep both DOS and Windows applications up to date (not to mention Mac versions--which always seems to lag behind). So companies release monster DOS versions that require a 386 or better (such as WordPerfect 6.0 or Lotus 1-2-3, version 3.4) to get you to upgrade your hardware. And while you're at it--why not come on over to Windows?

Still don't believe it? Well how about new Windows versions of such DOS accounting diehards as Peachtree Accounting, One-Write Plus Accounting, and DacEasy Accounting? Seems like that last domino is getting ready to topple. And for my final cliche: Wake up and smell the coffee--Microsoft has a whole pot brewed and ready to go.

Speaking of waking up. As you know, Apple Computer has finally decided to license its operating system--but, right now, only for the PowerPC platform and not for Intel-based systems. (See "Special Preview: Power Macs," April 1994, page 38.) This is the first crack in the dam that could lead to the freedom to choose your own operating system--no matter what computer you have. Eventually, Apple will have to loosen the reins and let System 7 run wild on Intel-based machines. If Apple wants to survive, it doesn't really have much of a choice. This also means that Macintosh clones are waiting in the wings.

The spreadsheet wars: Here we go again. The next release of Borland International's spreadsheet is being designed to boost performance, expand its programming capabilities, and improve its document-creation capabilities. When Quattro Pro 6.0 for Windows hits the street this summer or fall, it's expected to include improved programming language and scripting capabilities as well as better presentation graphics capabilities. But whether Borland plans to offer this upgrade for $50 (as it currently does with Quattro 5.0) is not known.