Everybody in the Network Computer camp is naturally on Microsoft Corp’s enemies list, so the company will do everything in its power to pre-empt and subvert events like Sun Microsystems Inc’s JavaStation launch tomorrow. The Wall Street Journal reckons that it may make its move as soon as today with classical old-style IBM Corp pre-announcement intended to sow fear, uncertainty and doubt among all those weighing up the merits of Network Computers. Word is that it has summoned a string of allies led by Compaq Computer Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co, Dell Computer Corp, and even, swallowing hard, Intel Corp to put their muscle behind its just-dreamed-up concept of a kinder, simpler, and, above all, cheaper – and easier to manage – personal computer. It is expected to show its hand at its World Wide Web developers meeting it is hosting in San Jose. The idea is that the thing should preserve existing investment in applications, though how anyone can propose to do that on a simpler machine when something Word alone takes up a ludicrous 8Mb is far from easy to understand – and the impression being given is that the initiative will be largely marketing smoke and mirrors.
