| From: | Donovan Reeve |
| Date: | 3 Sep 99 at 15:37:28 |
| Subject: | Re: Collas Out?! |
On 02-Sep-99, Vic E Babes flashed:
>> http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2326207,00.html
>>
>> Things have become very unpleasant...
>>
>Here`s hoping the likes of Phase 5 and Iwin are serious about their plans.
Actually, even though I hate to see us lose him because he's a good guy,
I doubt it's going to change things much at this point. He left Amiga in
good shape plans-wise. Jim was just the guy that we needed to kick ass and
get things moving, but I believe Tom Schmidt will do well at carrying the
plans on from here. Jim laid a solid foundation which I am sure can be
built on by his successor. I believe it's a little extreme to be committing
hari-keri over the situation.
As to what happened, let's look at the facts.
- Jim and Amiga in general have been as forthcoming as they dared lately.
- The Amiga community as usual have been very loud-mouthed, with oppinions
varying from one extreme to the other, praising Jim et al, and cutting them.
- The press have really been taking notice of Amiga plans AND rumors.
- Other companys with multimedia and convergence plans are comming out of the
woodwork.
- Potential Amiga clones (both new and old) are comming out of the woodwork.
- Amiga have clammed up, but have told us that it is because they need to
push forward swiftly.
- Bill McEwen is let go (Not fired as he was only on contract, not employed).
- Jim left suddenly and with no explaination to the Amiga community.
- Jim has put a large amount of Gateway stock up for sale.
- Amiga state that Jim left to pursue "personal interests".
- Amiga are having an emergency meeting.
OK, does that about cover it?
There are several possibilities to explain the facts:
1- Gateway are ticked because Jim and Bill aroused the competition to soon and
Transmeta are ticked because their name was mentioned before they wanted it
to be and threaten to back out of the deal, thereby pissing Gateway further.
Bill (who was responcible for the inclusion of the names in the vidio) is
let go. Jim, who was responcible for everything, is pushed out. Amiga clams
up to avoid further troubles.
2- Same as above but Jim isn't forced to leave, but decides to because he
doesn't like the mother company reniging on it's promise to let him run
his own show.
3- Jim himself is worried about the excessive reactions and pre-mature
publicity, blames himself and leaves comvinced that he has damaged Amigas
chances, and hurt by the cutting remarkes passed his way by some so-called
Amigans. Complaints from TransMeta about violating trust give empetis to
his departure.
4- Amiga notice that all the communication efforts are slowing them down and
allowing the compitition to gain on them, so they decide to concintrate on
the job at hand and hope the Amiga community will be happy with the vision
they have been given and cut them a little slack while they try to work.
Bill is let go because they believe (rightly or wrongly) that he isn't
providing good return on investment.
Jim feels he has gotten things moving properly and when suddenly presented
with some opportunity or circumstance (father dies and leaves him a business,
or he finds a business oportunity in an area which he has always wanted),
he sells his stock to fund the adventure and sets off to fullfill his dream
or obligation, knowing he has left us in good shape and in capable hands with
a good team in place at Amiga.
All are possible, barely.
1- Highly unlikely. Jim was a trusted Gateway VP and was quite discreet even
when he was forthcoming. This type of paranoid thinking is not typical of
Gateway. Plus, the leaking of some info was considered necessary to support
the Amiga community down the homestretch.
2- Ditto. Same reasons.
3- Also highly unlikely because Jim is not known to be a quitter AT ALL.
It is barely possible though because we did ride him pretty hard.
4- The scenerio which I believe to be the most likely. It fits all the facts
and makes sense even though Jims decision to leave seems sudden.
Obviously something came up rather suddenly. What it was, we don't know
for sure but I highly doubt it will effect the course of Amiga much.
However, whatever happened, Amiga (and we) lost a great spark-plug and
a wonderful guy. It certainly is sad to see him go, for whatever reason.
He will be missed.
cacha later,
Donovan Reeve (bubby.lnk@ispi.net)
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