FOR Australia Post, it looks as if it will be Windows 96 if it is to be Windows at all. The company has categorically condemned Windows 95 and ordered it taken off all PCs that had installed it. Technology watchers in Australia see this as a blow to Microsoft, with potentially damaging results to sales of the new operating system.
In an internal minute, recently published in The Australian, John O'Connell, the manager of the information and services branch, said that Windows 95 should not be installed on Australia Post PCs.
'Australia Post will not install, or allow Windows 95 to be installed, on any computers in any business or operational areas of Australia Post,' the minute said. The only exception to this is a trial site in Victoria where Windows 95 is being tested by technology experts within Australia Post.
Microsoft spokesmen in both Australia and Hong Kong are, naturally, down playing Australia Post's decision. A source in Hong Kong said it was always difficult for companies to make drastic changes, such as upgrading the computer operating system on many PCs quickly and most companies preferred to move a little more slowly.
The source also said some companies would recall all versions of new software if they suspected that there could be pirated versions on some of the PCs.
The spokesman was quick to say that there was no evidence that this was the case at Australia Post.
