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Thursday, Sep. 3, 1998
Microsoft unveils new software
Company promises to support Macintosh
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Microsoft Corp.'s No. 2 executive on Wednesday wooed the publishing industry by showing off new software and promising continued support for Apple's Macintosh computer.
Company president Steve Ballmer presented his case to more than 1,000 graphic designers, corporate Web site operators and other professionals at the Seybold publishing conference here.
Ballmer demonstrated new technology that will be integrated into Microsoft's Windows 98 operating software this fall. The feature, called Chromeffects, lets computer users add three-dimensional effects to Web pages.
He also promised the next version of Windows NT, an operating system for powerful business computers, would offer a variety of improvements. The program, originally due out this year, should be available in the first half of 1999.
Publishing -- both on paper and the Internet -- traditionally has been a stronghold of Apple Computer's Macintosh. Microsoft's publishing software, which runs on rival personal computers, has become increasingly popular in recent years.
But Ballmer on Wednesday also promised continuing support for the Macintosh.
Apple and Microsoft last year resolved their dispute over each other's patents, and Microsoft agreed to continue making upgrades of important applications for the Mac. Apple in return made Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser the easiest one to use for the Mac.
``We're very committed in every way to honor the promises we've made and let the Macintosh play in what's happening in the Microsoft environment,'' Ballmer said.
The Chromeffects technology, however, will not be available for the Macintosh. That's because it's integrated into the Windows operating system.
``That's a probably controversial thing to say,'' Ballmer quipped, in a reference to Microsoft's ongoing legal clash with the U.S. Justice Department. The government has sued Microsoft, charging the software giant with using its Windows 98 software to foist its other products onto consumers and shut out rival software makers.Post your comments about local news eventsFront Page || Main Index || News || Business || Texas || South Texas Outdoors || Birdwatching || Sports || Entertainment || Selena || Education || South Texas Attractions || World Wide Web