THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, August 28, 1995                TAG: 9508260305
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY          PAGE: 05   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY DAVE MAYFIELD, BUSINESS WEEKLY 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

MICROSOFT HAS 'EM TALKING EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT BUYING

One of the most publicized events in the history of retailing unfolded last week when Microsoft Corp., after spending more than $100 million in a media blitz, finally released the much debated and long anticipated operating system called Windows 95.

Amid last week's hoopla, two different takes emerged in Hampton Roads about the new software:

``This is the most significant event in the history of PC computing,'' says Gene Starr, research director for Electronic Systems Inc., a Virginia Beach-based systems integrator and office-machines dealer.

He thinks businesses' concerns about Windows 95 not being able to deliver on its promises have been fanned by ``trade rags.''

The computer magazines benefit by pointing out potential pitfalls, keeping readers wondering from month to month what new problem they might face in computing. That drives circulation and ad sales.

Starr says Windows 95 will clearly make workers more productive and save their employers computer-training costs.

``Microsoft's primary goal was usability'' with Windows 95, he says, and it has delivered.

``My feeling is if people listen to the hype, they'll jump on Windows 95,'' says Steve Advocat, partner in Computer Discounters of Virginia Beach, a retailer.

``If they sit back and analyze it, I think a lot of them will say, `What do I really need it for?' ''

Yes, Windows 95 is an improvement over previous versions, Advocat says, but not a radical one.

Some businesses will benefit from migrating toward it, but he wonders about individual users.

With so many people already under-utilizing their home PCs, he seriously questions whether they should make the investment in hardware and applications-software upgrades necessary to get maximum benefit of Windows 95.

``People have gotten a lot smarter,'' when it comes to computers, he said. ``They're not jumping on all the bandwagons.'' by CNB