In response to Nick. Sure, my expectations of IBM are low. One reason why is IBM's concerns about image rather than quality. I have high expectations for computers and I am open minded enough to recognise when and if IBM ever develops an innovative computer and operating system. The fact of the matter is that my expectations come much closer to being met by upstarts such as Steve Jobs' Next. I do not mean to compare a Next to an IBM 3090, but Steve's company seems a lot more progressive in its civilized computer designs than IBM has ever been. While I am at it, what's with IBM now marketing risc machines heavily as if risc technology is a new idea. Sadly, many people gobble up this stuff just because IBM's name is on the front. Companies such as CDC and Hewlett Packard have had risc technlogy for years, but they did not have the blind sheep following them that IBM has. I can go on and on about why I dislike IBM, but its getting late now. By the way, I acknowledge that IBMs big machines are reliable and sturdy and that IBM provides excellent support for long-time custmers, but so did the old tube-filled radios of the past until they were replaced by transisterized radios and televisions. Stan Horwitz Listserv Postmaster Temple University Acknowledge to: OASIS@TEMPLEVM (or VM.TEMPLE.EDU)