#: 7898 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 11:35:01 Sb: #Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: All I can think of no better occasion than the Fourth of July to declare independence from those who would dictate the content of what I write. Over the past several months, I have been repeatedly subject to what I feel to be inappropriate and improper pressure from PC Week in regard to my views on Microsoft and Windows, IBM and OS/2. I had hoped that this was a temporary aberration that would soon be corrected. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. I have therefore sent notice to the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company that I do not intend to renew my agreement with them when its current term expires at the end of September. I believe that Mr. William Ziff, Jr. is genuinely committed to editorial integrity and independence. Unfortunately, I think Mr. Ziff is being ill-served by some of his employees who do not share that commitment. I am concerned that the regretable tendency to shape editorial content to please a major advertiser (Microsoft in this case) which I have noted in some competing publications is being imported into the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. If you share my concern, you may want to write to Mr. William Ziff, Jr., Ziff Davis Communications, One Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10016 and let him know what you think. Please feel free to repost this messages elsewhere if you wish. William F. Zachmann * Replies: 7906, 7907, 7908, 7911, 7915, 7926, 7928, 7932, 7938, 7971, 7981, 7984 #: 7906 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 12:04:47 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Wayne Kovsky 76164,3504 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, you have my support, and I will send a letter to Mr. Ziff saying so. I have been a subscriber to PC Magazine since its initial issue, and I have been an on-again off-again subscriber to PC Week since it was introduced. I have been troubled by the obvious bias that I have seen creeping into these publications, and I have found your PC Magazine columns in particular to be one of the only counters to this trend. I would truly hate to see you not writing for PC Week (and by extension, I presume not writing for PC Magazine at some time in the future). I am not a current subscriber to PC Week, having been disgusted with some of its editorial excesses, so my voice relating to that particular publication will carry little or no weight. However, if I learn that Will Zachmann will not be a featured writer for PC Magazine in the future, I will instantly cancel my since-issue-number-1 subscription, and I will encourage all of my friends, and all members of my local user's group, to do the same. I believe that most of them will need little encouragement, because we are already Will Zachmann fans, and we are also increasingly dismayed with the editorial direction Ziff-Davis seems to be taking. Good luck, Will, and I hope that long-established standards of responsible journalism (and therefore, you) will prevail in this dispute. * Reply: 7916 #: 7916 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 17:27:02 Sb: #7906-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Wayne Kovsky 76164,3504 Wayne, Thank you for your support. I would like to see a positive outcome between Ziff-Davis and myself but it is hard to be optimistic at this point. At any rate, it is now up to them. All the best, Will Zachmann #: 7907 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 12:07:57 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Alan DuBoff(Bunker Hill) 76662,660 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, I appreciate your ability to stand up for what you believe in. If it was not for people like you, we might not have ANY honest journalism in this world. The fact that microsoft thinks they can dictate not only the computing environment we use but the information that becomes available to us as well is very sad. Of course them dictating that we use all ms applications is just a short way down the road, and then what type of food we eat (after they get involved in mr. bill grocery chains no doubt...), and on and on. I will write to Mr. Ziff and let him know that it is dissapointing for a publishing company like his to have this issue happening. Keep up the great work and good luck with the future wherever you end up writing, I KNOW you will find a place that fits you well, your articles are too good to not get published somewhere. ajd * Reply: 7917 #: 7917 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 17:27:10 Sb: #7907-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Alan DuBoff(Bunker Hill) 76662,660 Alan, Thank you for your support. It is very much appreciated at what is, for me, a quite difficult and awkward moment. I had hoped to be able to resolve all these matters quietly but, unfortunately, have been frustrated in my efforts to do so. My choice to make a public issue of all this was one that was made reluctantly and sadly. I did feel, however, that I ought not to acquiesce silently to efforts to muzzle what I had to say about Microsoft and Windows, IBM and OS/2, even though it means sacrificing substantial income from ZiffDavis in the process. Will * Reply: 7924 #: 7924 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 00:46:17 Sb: #7917-Independence Declaration Fm: Alan DuBoff(Bunker Hill) 76662,660 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 Will, Have you ever thought about writing a book ? You of all people would be in a great position to write about this akward time that developers and users have gone through. Since books seem to generate a much higher income for writers, it might be a good thing for you, AND you could still write for magazines while you do it... ajd * Reply: 7929 #: 7929 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 03:23:21 Sb: #7924-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Alan DuBoff(Bunker Hill) 76662,660 (X) Alan, I have thought about ideas for several books and actually wrote one 10 years ago. I didn't publish it though. We'll just have to see what the future brings. All the best, Will #: 7908 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 12:36:02 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Steve Mastrianni [PSS] 71501,1652 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Oh heck, I was getting pretty tired of PC Mag anyway. That gives me a reason to finally drop my subscription. * Reply: 7939 #: 7939 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 08:05:13 Sb: #7908-Independence Declaration Fm: Arthur Goikhman 72170,2053 To: Steve Mastrianni [PSS] 71501,1652 (X) I thought that the special advertising section in the last one was good. Other than that, it is kind of empty #: 7911 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 14:06:08 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Charlie Choc 71221,1203 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, Sorry to see you go. I used to read your column before I lined the birdcage with PC Week, guess I can save some time now. (P.S. I don't even have a bird, but I think I will get one). Charlie... * Reply: 7918 #: 7918 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 17:27:14 Sb: #7911-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Charlie Choc 71221,1203 Charlie, Thanks. Will #: 7915 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 17:19:55 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Paul Flatt 71022,1013 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, It was just a week ago I wrote a letter to PC Mag complaining about the not so independent guide to computing, PC Mag. Like others have said, if PC Mag should be published without Will Z then my subscription is done. I have been a subscriber for 7-8 years and have noticed a definite bias in its articles away from OS/2 toward windows. When OS/2 first came out and Microsoft was behind it, PC Mag had many articles on how to program it and what it would mean for all users. As the Microsoft IBM split deepened the OS/2 columns were replaced with windows columns. When OS/2 2.0 was released there was only a quick short article about what it can and can't do. In all the reviews they always mention that virtually no OS/2 2.0 specific programs yet exist but hundreds of windows 3.0/3.1 programs already exist. Only in passing do they say that virtually all existing DOS programs, most windows 3.0 programs, and virtually all OS/2 1.x programs run under 2.0. This makes OS/2 2.0 capable running vastly more programs than windows 3.0 or 3.1. Mr Ziff will get another letter shortly concerning my displeasure. Should you find yourself no longer in PC Mag, I wish you the best in whatever falls your way. * Reply: 7919 #: 7919 S15/Open Forum 04-Jul-92 17:44:25 Sb: #7915-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Paul Flatt 71022,1013 Paul, Thank you for your support. My view is that personal computer publications generally have not done a very good job in representing a balanced view of IBM and Microsoft, Windows and OS/2. My own view is that I have been doing both PC Week and PC Magazine a service by balancing out their coverage. Needless to say, my efforts on their behalf do not seem to have been fully appreciated. All the best, Will Forum ! * Reply: 8004 #: 8004 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 01:47:22 Sb: #7919-#Independence Declaration Fm: hari ramachandran 73117,71 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, Sorry to hear that things have come to this pass. Not sorry that you are taking PC Week & PC Mag to task, but that you have had to do this in order to keep your integrity. I have to say that the most self-serving comment I have heard out of PC Mag has been their justification for not covering OS/2 2.0's beta versions: "We only cover products that are available". Now that that excuse is gone, they happily cover NT alpha code to a greater extent even, than OS/2 GA. I wonder what excuse that comes under ... "Some products that are of immense interest to the majority of our readers are indeed covered ahead of time to prepare them for the future" Sheesh! I probably should apply for editor at PC Mag :^> The above is the kind of comment they use - conveniently forgetting that they could have used this very argument even more forcefully for covering OS/2 betas earlier this year! Good luck on the future, and let's hope ZD learn some sense through all this. hari * Reply: 8007 #: 8007 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 02:28:19 Sb: #8004-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: hari ramachandran 73117,71 Hari, Thank you for your support. Will #: 7926 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 00:57:04 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 Mr. Zachmann--Now that you've officially cut the ties to Ziff, I hope to see you write some for the 'IBM OS/2 Developer' magazine and OS/2 Monthly. Maybe it wouldn't pay your worth, but you are very respected in the OS/2 community. I also enjoyed your articles on many other subjects. Its a damn shame that Ziff has no editorial integrity. Some time ago I suggested a write-in campaign to BYTE magazine to try and obtain your services as a columnist for them. They seem to have a lot of integrity. Hopefully I will see your column reappear in some of these magazines. I intend to write a letter to the editor as well as one to the Ziff-Davis board. I probably will also lobby for BYTE to obtain your services. I wish to thank your for your integrity, technical expertise, and journalistic works. Best of luck...a loyal follower. Regards... Forum ! * Reply: 7930 #: 7930 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 03:23:27 Sb: #7926-#Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 (X) Bill, Well, ties between Z-D and me aren't exactly cut off yet. My agreement with Z-D runs through the end of September and, though I'm not very optimistic on this point, perhaps they will respond to my notification that I do not intend to renew the agreement by changing the conditions that led to my decision. If not, I think I will probably be able to find another venue for my columns eventually. We'll just have to wait to see how it all turns out. Best regards, Will * Reply: 7983 #: 7983 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 21:20:25 Sb: #7930-Independence Declaration Fm: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 I really don't expect Ziff-Davis to 'back down'...They just appear to be too tied to uSoft. Really disgusting as PC Magazine bills itself as 'The Independent Guide to Personal Computing'. I hope the readers can apply pressure to force Ziff-Davis back to a more neutral editorial tact. If they want to just represent Windoze/Windoze NT they should either state so or spin off another publication. I somewhat expect to see bias in a magazine like "Windows Magazine" published by Ziff's competitor CMP Publications. But Ziff should not bill itself as one thing and then sell out to special interests. I *really* hope you can broaden your work to other magazines even if you do renew with Ziff. I really like your work. I think the suggestion of a book is a good idea, but would really like to see your byline in some OS/2 magazines as well as Windoze type magazines. Your message has always been even handed. I don't know if your contract prohibits such publication, but I hope it doesn't. Best Wishes. Regards... * Reply: 8002 #: 8002 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 00:48:34 Sb: #7983-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 Bill, Thank you for your support. Will #: 7928 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 02:36:07 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Bernd Kunrath 100015,2526 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Hi Will, you've done good things for us and OS/2. Believe me there are some people in Germany who know you, and want to help you. So i'll tell Mr. Ziff that there would be some people over here canceling their subscription of PC-Magazine and PC-Professional (German name of the mag.), if they don't let their writers write what they mean ! Good luck, hope Mr. Ziff will help you too; maybe there'll be a change in mind on PC-Magazine, since IBM ads are getting more and maybe mayn more in future... . Ciao, Bernd sorry sysop #: 7932 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 06:10:06 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) So what? Your quitting? Is that anyway to win issues Will? Don't you see by doing so you are CONFORMING? What if every developer who has hung in the OS/2 development world ( smaller than a breadbox ) quit? You have the opportunity to put into print anything you want right now, you may be the only independandt voice doing so. And what, you can't take the heat? You want support? Stay in there and fight. Otherwise go cry in someone else's beer. Frank V. Castellucci C.O.L. Systems Inc. * Replies: 7937, 7944, 7957, 7985 #: 7937 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 08:01:20 Sb: #7932-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 (X) Frank, If I am to be denied the ability to say what I feel ought to be said, what is the point in "hanging in there"? I am sure I can find other publications where my views can be freely expressed if necessary. In what way am I "continuing the fight" if, in effect, I passively agree to being chained up with a muzzle on? Your logic escapes me. Will * Reply: 7989 #: 7989 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 23:16:03 Sb: #7937-Independence Declaration Fm: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, Based on your editorials, I can't see where you have been denied anything. Perhaps you can enlighten me ( us? ). No one said to passively do anything. Quite the opposite is what I would support. Keep telling your story until they throw you out, and then tell the world why. Frank #: 7944 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 08:45:45 Sb: #7932-Independence Declaration Fm: Stephen Gutknecht 72651,31 To: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 (X) > You want support? Stay in there and fight. Otherwise go cry in someone else's beer. (end quote) You obviously ignore the fact that this is his PERSONAL decision, and he has pondered his alternatives. As an outside observer, it is clear that he has provided Ziff with time for a resolution. Many a great man have given up more for principal. Stephen Gutknecht #: 7957 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 13:36:38 Sb: #7932-#Independence Declaration Fm: Dave Peckham 71730,731 To: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 (X) Speak for yourself when you say "cry in someone else's beer". Looking at the replies here, it looks like Will is very welcome to express his concerns. You assume that we share your opinion. It looks like you are wrong. Dave * Replies: 7970, 7990 #: 7970 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 18:44:51 Sb: #7957-Independence Declaration Fm: Alan Cobb 73170,3543 To: Dave Peckham 71730,731 Dave, >Speak for yourself when you say "cry in someone else's beer". >You assume that we share your opinion. It looks like you are wrong. Right on. Its as if someones wife stumbles in the door after she's been raped, and then she is told to quit whining and dripping blood on the floor. Sheeeesh. Alan Cobb * Reply: 8001 #: 8001 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 23:29:08 Sb: #7970-Independence Declaration Fm: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 To: Alan Cobb 73170,3543 Alan, > Right on. Its as if someones wife stubles in the door after she's been > raped, and then she it told to quit whining and dripping blood on the > floor. > Sheeesh. I don't see the analogy here. Do you respond as though you have been raped whenever you meet resistance to your opinions? Have you ever been in a position that Will describes as being in ZF? How did you respond? Frank Castellucci #: 7990 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 23:16:08 Sb: #7957-Independence Declaration Fm: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 To: Dave Peckham 71730,731 Dave, I don't assume that anyone share in my opinion. I responded to Will's open request for support to Will. Whether I am wrong or right is irrelevant, it is my opinion. I also welcome Will and his concerns, especially when they appear in print. That is where he is strongest. Frank #: 7985 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 21:33:49 Sb: #7932-Independence Declaration Fm: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 To: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 (X) I think Mr. Zachmann will voice his own opinions as long as he has a contract. But one thing that upsets me is how PC Magazine is trying to control the public's thinking using columnists who are supposedly independent authors. That's ok if the columnists or their articles are identified as an editorials, but its something else if you force authors to be bias in their independent columns and do not state your editorial policy. PC Magazine bills itself as 'The Guide to Independent Personnal Computing'. That banner suggests/means neutrality unless the article is clearly identified as an editorial. I'm not a real uptight liberal on freedom of the press, but this appears to be one case where the press ownership is definitely *bias* and trying to shape public opinion without presenting their opinion as either an editorial or a recommendation. If Ziff wants to promote an editorial platform they can be upfront about it. Don't be so hard on Will. How would you like to be potentially unemployed based on your stand on an issue ? Pretty scary. If Ziff considers their publications to be an agenda for promoting Windoze/Windoze NT or uSoft they should be up front about it and not manipulate their employees and try to shape public opinion with a hidden agenda. Regards... * Reply: 7991 #: 7991 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 23:16:14 Sb: #7985-Independence Declaration Fm: Frank Castellucci 72261,2700 To: Bill Kenning 70254,1604 Bill, I appreciate your reply. But, is PC-Whatever the only publication that try to control the public's thinking? I don't think so. Because OS/2 vs. MS - Windows and Windows/NT has taken on such an emotional battle, PC-Whatever is what we ( OS/2 - Windows - Windows/NT ) tend to focus on as it reports on the battle. The question is whether or not the reporting is done in earnest or is shrouded by favoritism. My opinions and believes have either landed me in the street, or had the effect of changing what I was fighting against. Each time I faced the chance that I would be 'unemployed', which is not easy as I have 2 kids, a wife, and mortgage to support. Frank Forum ! #: 7938 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 08:04:00 Sb: #7898-#Independence Declaration Fm: Arthur Goikhman 72170,2053 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) So it wasn't a rumor, after all. It seems sad that even such a lonely voice in the defense of OS/2 was not tolerated. Perhaps we'll see a letter campaign to dwarf the one in response to the April 28th issue. I'm certainly working on it Arthur Goikhman Soft & GUI Inc * Reply: 7945 #: 7945 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 08:58:57 Sb: #7938-Independence Declaration Fm: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 To: Arthur Goikhman 72170,2053 (X) Arthur, No, it wasn't a rumor after all. I'd hoped to be able to work things out quietly, behind the scenes, but after over two months trying to do without a positive outcome, I decided to bring the issue out in public. Although they'd backed off temporarily on my PC Week column (and even that only after some real struggles on my part insisting that what I wrote see print) it became apparent to me that what was coming next was simply a somewhat more subtle move to hamstring my column by defining its subject matter so as to exclude discussion of Windows and OS/2 or simply to design my column out of PC Week altogether. It also became clear to me that Ziff-Davis Chairman and CEO Eric Hippeau was not part of the solution for me but, more likely, part of the problem. I therefore decided to take the steps that I have taken. Will * Reply: 8035 #: 8035 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 09:15:06 Sb: #7945-Independence Declaration Fm: Ian Ameline [SL] 70400,2356 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) William, I think that ZD is really pursuing a counterproductive strategy in selling out to any one vendor. As soon as their readers realize that they're seeing controlled editorial opinion disguised as fact, they'll stop reading it. As a long time reader of your column, I wish you well in you search for a less constrained venue for your words. Where ever you wind up publishing, I'll subscribe. Regards, Ian Ameline, (Not representing C-Set/2 development or IBM in this case) P.S. Your original note is up on IBM's internal BBS systems too. #: 7971 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 18:45:01 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Alan Cobb 73170,3543 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 (X) Will, Hey dude, this is really heavy stuff! I'd like to hear (or read) in detail some of what has been going on there behind the scenes. (Maybe you could put it in an ASCII file and upload it, so it could be spread around). Sort of an expose on how Microsoft (or other big advertisers) can systematically put pressure on supposedly independent publications. Why are they so threatened by this? Just this afternoon I was wondering what Bill Gates would look like in a Nazi uniform, with a swastika on the front of his Lexus :-). What is the Ziff justification for muzzling you? Do they flat out admit they are getting heat from their slave masters in Redmond? Or do they have real evidence that people are burned out on your slant and column? I suppose if they had numbers to show that PC Week readers think you're flipped out (I don't) and are tired of reading you, then it would be more understandable. Personally, I always read your column in PC Week, along with page 1, and the Katt. I just skim most of the rest. Alan Cobb #: 7981 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 20:41:32 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Rick Fishman 72251,750 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 Will, I just cancelled my subscription to ZiffNet last week. It looks like PC Week is next - and PC Mag to follow. I have the utmost respect for you as a writer as well as someone who lays it on the line. I will convey that feeling along with my negative feelings toward Ziff (re their treatment of Microsoft vs. IBM) to Mr. Ziff. Good luck. I'm sure I will be reading your stuff elsewhere after September... Rick #: 7984 S15/Open Forum 05-Jul-92 21:23:51 Sb: #7898-Independence Declaration Fm: Warren Zeigler 70662,1710 To: William F. Zachmann 72241,43 Will - Thanks for setting the record straight. I intend on "posting" a photocopy at local businesses. I am also calling to cancel my PC Week subscription. We all really appreciate the honesty you have shown on this - and other - topics. Mr. William Ziff may have good intentions, but if in reality he is climbing in bed w/ Bill Gates - the result is a tainting of both. No one can believe anything from ZD - or anything about MS - anymore. The only question that is truely valid in either case is "What did it cost to get those words written?", not "What does this mean to my company?". PC Labs - and all ZD pubs - credability is now 0. There is no way to recover. They might as well sell the lab. It is really sad. Warren R. Zeigler * Reply: 8056 #: 8056 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 11:52:42 Sb: #7984-#Independence Declaration Fm: Peter Coffee (PC Week) 72631,113 To: Warren Zeigler 70662,1710 (X) Unlike the majority of participants here, I *have* met Bill Ziff. I have also met Bill Gates. And the notion of either one "climbing in bed" with the other is ludicrous beyond description. They are two of the most intimidatingly intelligent people I've ever known, and each has achieved overwhelming dominance in his chosen field based on doing what he thought his market would like best. The fantasy level in this thread is reaching world-record levels... * Replies: 8068, 8071, 8092 #: 8068 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 13:52:43 Sb: #8056-Independence Declaration Fm: Wayne Kovsky 76164,3504 To: Peter Coffee (PC Week) 72631,113 Peter, the "intimidating intelligence" of the participants has nothing whatsoever to do with whether they might (or might not) be colluding to advance the market dominance of their respective enterprises. And, history is filled with the stories of people who did in fact "build a better mousetrap" to achieve dominance in a field, but who also subsequently used sneaky, underhanded, immoral, and often outright illegal means to perpetuate that dominance, even when their products would have continued to succeed on their own merits. I can't see that your post has added a single thing to this discussion, other than to illustrate your predictable bias on this issue. On the other hand, your recent "defense" here (quotations because you rejected the notion that you had done anything wrong that needed defending) of your mis-use of the C Set/2 tools, leading to your misinforming all of PC Week's readers about the quality of those tools, is the kind of bias and irresponsible journalism that many of us are fed up with from Ziff-Davis. It is one thing to make a mistake in reviewing a product (and via that mistake, to slander the product); it is another to refuse to accept responsiblity for having made the mistake; and it is reprehensible journalistic ethics to refuse to make any public admission of the error and to correct the impression you have erroneously left with your readers. You may find it surprising that so many people here have been such strong supporters of Will Zachmann's stand, and that so many of us have seen evidence that we independently (most of us don't know one another except via these brief messages) have ascribed to Ziff-Davis' favoritism toward Microsoft - but if you do, I think it may be because your own fantasy level is reaching world-record levels... #: 8071 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 14:18:40 Sb: #8056-Independence Declaration Fm: Arthur Goikhman 72170,2053 To: Peter Coffee (PC Week) 72631,113 Fine. But how to explain the pressure that was put on Bill Zachmann? Or was that fantasy also? #: 8092 S15/Open Forum 06-Jul-92 18:39:14 Sb: #8056-Independence Declaration Fm: Warren Zeigler 70662,1710 To: Peter Coffee (PC Week) 72631,113 Peter - you are denying the facts. Pressure from MS to change the reviews hurts MS credability, and pressure to writters in ZD pubs (even just a few) totally destroys credability. The buck MUST stop at the top, and it's obvious some representatives of the two companies are engaging in reputation destroying activities. You may like the leaders, but in fact they blew it - even if they did not order the actions. They ARE responsible. Warren R. Zeigler PS - Intelligence neither means goodness or even competence - just the ability to associate. (Not to brag - but Mensa says my IQ is not to different from those you mentioned.) An "intimidating IQ" is another phrase for abuse of power and abuse of ANY relationship. I've met Bill Gates, too. He spoke to the press right before me for 20 minutes - on how OS/2 is MS's great direction. If he impresses you, fine. For me, his actions and words do not meet. You can have him. ÿ