Part 4: Apple, Linux and Unix; How the Other Operating Systems Fared

In this continuing alternate reality, Microsoft doesn’t exist, and now all IBM computers are running CP/M from Digital Research. But Apple and Unix aren’t out of the fight yet. Here is how they could have fared.

Apple
Unlike Microsoft, DR would compete with the Apple operating system without having the advantage of working with, and learning from, the Mac system. This gives Apple an advantage in the market place and allows it to grow its market share at IBM’s expense. The majority of the computing world still uses IBM computers running CP/M, but Apple still hangs on with a 35% share of the market.

However, Apple decides to continue raising the price of its computers to increase profits. Steve Jobs is ultimately ousted, though by then it is into the very early 90’s. Jobs goes on to buy Pixar and pours his energy into this endeavor, seeking to become a modern day Walt Disney. He never creates NeXT. As a result, by the mid 90’s Apple is desperate for a new OS and the only place it can turn to is the Be corporation that is headed by an ex-Apple employee. Apple buys the BeOS and integrates it into its current OS.

By incorporating the BeOS into its systems, Apple is able to produce an amazingly powerful operating system that is heavily geared towards multimedia. Unfortunately, due to Be’s lack of development in this area, Apple is completely caught off gaurd by the explosion that is the internet. As a result its marketshare plummets as it tries desperately to reconfigure its OS. The iPod is never produced. All computers come in one of three colors, beige, grey or black.

UNIX
With less competition and a slower growth rate for the industry, UNIX enjoys a steady and powerful market presence. With IBM, HP, Apple and many others all releasing their own versions. Problems do arise, however, as the UNIX community begins to fragment, stifling progress and cooperation. Used primarily for industries, UNIX finds a new use as the backbone of the newly emerging “internet.” Soon most servers run a variant of UNIX relegating Apple’s and DR’s operating systems to strictly consumer use.

Linux
Created as a free alternative to UNIX, Linux faces stiff competition just to be noticed. Competing with Apple, OS/2, UNIX, DR’s OS and Amiga, among others, Linux is mostly ignored by the world for many years. Eventually a loose community forms to support and expand Linux, with the most pressing goal being interoperability with competing OS’s. After several more years of effort Linux begins to draw attention from academic and industry observers. Unfortunately, though it is powerful, free and highly configurable, it is far too difficult to use for all but the most skilled of computer users. Faced with the ease of use afforded by the Amiga or Apple OS on one side, and the power, support and community of OS/2 and UNIX on the other side, Linux and the FOSS movement quietly fade into the background.

Part 1: What if Microsoft never existed?
Part 2: A Destiny Destroyed
Part 3: Amiga, Apple, HP, Dell and IBM, Hardware Without the “Microsoft Tax”
Part 4: Apple, Linux and Unix, how the Other Operating Systems Fared
Part 5: Intel, AMD, Motorola and IBM, Rise of the Machines
Part 6: Where Could We Be?

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