PC Open Architecture Developers' Group: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:22, 24 December 2008

Revision as of 18:10, 29 December 2008

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Before the advent of [[IBM PC]] in 1981 in U.S., there were many kinds of personal computers, such as Tandy R[[adioShack]], [[Commodore]] etc., that were based on different kinds of computer architecture, and software programs were supplied for each kind of computer. In Japan, this similar situation continued well into the early 1990s, because each of Japan's major electronic manufacturers supplied its own unique personal computer, although [[NEC]] with its [[NEC 9801]] seemed to be prevailing.

[[IBM]] itself was selling its unique [[IBM 5550]] computer, because Japanese langaugelanguage capable computer needed more powerful engine, larger screen, etc., and its [[JX]] project, emphasizing compatibility with IBM PC and [[PCjr]], did not go anywhere. The whole situation was felt by many as hindering a healthy growth of computer business, particularly by domestic and overseas software vendors who had to develop, test, sell and support different software programs on the many kinds of personal computers.

In this background enters IBM [[DOS/V]], developped by IBM in Japan, and licensed to other Japanese PC manufacturers. To promote the IBM PC architecture on which DOS/V worked, IBM sponsored a consortium called the PC Open Architecture Developpers' Group (usually called "OADG' in Japan) in 1991, and made public its internal architecture and interfaces.