Open Architecture System Integration Strategy

In the late 1980s, Apple Computer was increasingly worried about the legion of graphical user interfaces about to be released that would compete with the Mac OS. In addition to improved versions of Microsoft Windows, which had previously been unsuccessful, they were now facing IBMs Presentation Manager, HP's NewWave, Sun Microsystems' OPEN LOOK, and a host of other X11-based GUIs on various Unix platforms.

In response, Apple released a blizzard of marketing materials in 1989 trumpeting Apple's advantage, the OASIS Model. OASIS, which stands for Open Architecture System Integration Strategy, was supposed to be the philosophy behind the Mac, as if this had existed from the start. In the documents they outlined the problems with grafting a GUI on top of an existing operating system, and showed how the Mac's "all in one" design allowed Apple to produce a much cleaner system.

OASIS was essentially the little red book for the Mac-using community, an effort to rally the users around a single vision. In this respect it was a failure, as it seemed to many that it was an attempt to fend off competition (which it was), and thus made the company look somewhat desperate. OASIS marketing basically disappeared with the release of System 7 in 1991, and was not seen again.

External links

• Apple philosophy is an Oasis for users, PC Dealer, 07/1989
• OASIS, MacUser issue no. 42