Developer Forecasts Flood of Software for Windows
 
Microbytes Daily News Service
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Now that Microsoft and IBM have defined Microsoft Windows as
their "low-end" graphical interface for IBM-compatible computers,
the future of Windows will depend to a large extent on what
software developers do. According to one Windows-compatible
developer, software houses are now moving to embrace Microsoft's
graphical environment. Companies are making commitments to
Windows in "the tens of thousands," says Rick Barron, president
of Affinity Microsystems, which makes a macro program for both
the Macintosh and Windows.
 
"We had our product [Tempo for Windows] ready in 1988," says
Barron, "but there was no market. Microsoft even admitted there
were only about 100,000 users [of Windows]." Now, Barron claims,
his company has been deluged with inquiries from other software
vendors, who want to bundle the Tempo macro facility with their
own products to automate their use under Windows. "These
companies are talking about selling thousands of units," he says.
 
Barron says his company's product has had beta sites at large
installations such as Ford Motor Company and DuPont. "A lot of
customers don't want to spend the money to upgrade to OS/2," says
Barron, "but they want to head in that direction, so Windows is a
good alternative. Our next version of Tempo will probably be for
Presentation Manager."
 
Tempo is a macro facility for recording and replaying Windows
keystrokes, mouse clicks, and mouse drags. Affinity has had a
similar product available on the Macintosh for several years.
Tempo for Windows is available until January 1 at an introductory
price of $79.95 ($99.95 thereafter).
 
Contact: Affinity Microsystems, 1050 Walnut St, Suite 425
Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 442-4840.
 
                              --- Nick Baran
 
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