Replies to post #45835 on Wave Systems Corp. (fka WAVXQ)

[player1234]

This is true, the hobbyist was the first user of the PC. When the PC first became available, IT departments in large companies wanted nothing to do with them. The individual departments didn't have the money for them and without useful applications, couldn't justify the expenditure.

Of course, there were exceptions. But in general, it was the geek in the home who started the trend.

[howard_b_golden]

scorpio_esq, you are wrong!

You cannot equate "hobbyists" with "home users"! Remember Lotus 1-2-3? Was it for hobbyists?

Who were the "home users"? Geeks? They're not the same consumers that SKS is talking about! They weren't "home users" in any meaningful sense.

The PC became a success when Lotus 1-2-3 came out. Before that it was a toy or electronics hobby. When Lotus 1-2-3 was available, it was bought by businesses, not consumers. However, these were "user" departments, not the "data processing department."

SKS's whole premise is plain wrong! There must be early adopters, and consumers won't be early adopters unless there is a consumer need being satisfied. Security won't be it, because consumers won't feel safe with computer security. Perhaps entertainment can be it, because some consumers will want new entertainment features.

SKS seems to know very little about getting a new technology adopted by the marketplace. Perhaps he is a genius in other areas, but this isn't where he shines IMO.

By the way, the IBM PC was introduced in 1981. Lotus 1-2-3 was introduced in 1982. See http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/