"Let's get real here--this is a very common practice,"

-Gordon Eubanks, chief executive officer at software maker Symantec Corp in The Wall Street Journal March 16, 1995.

Microsoft

• Microsoft's past delays 
• Software delays wreak havoc: Microsoft tardiness can derail developers This article discusses Microsft's past history in delayed releases of its operating systems and the damges it incurs on other smaller companies. Computerworld May 23, 1994 
• Microsoft in court 
• Memorandum of The United States of America in response to the Court's inquiries concerning "vaporware" The memorandum submitted by Anne K. Bingaman, the Assistant Attorney General , which denies the court the ability to prsecute Microsoft on issues concerning vaporware because it was not included in the original complaint brought against Microsoft in the antitrust suit. The memorandum solely discusses the legality of vaporware wit hout any specific references to Microsoft. Department of Justice January 27, 1995 
• Industry debates U.S. vaporware probe Judge Sporkin's analysis or Microsoft's business practi ces reopen the vaporware issue and its use by software companies as a possible tool to freeze the market and "fake out" competitors. A proposed standard is also suggested. Computerworld Feb. 13, 1995 
• Microsoft and vaporware Great article that brings up many, many good questions, and also in cludes some colorfully frustrating dialog between Judge Sporkin and Anne Bingaman, the chief antitrust prosecutor, as well as Mr. Urowsky, Microsoft's counsel. IEEE Micro April 1995 

Other destructive consequences of vaporware

• Vaporware is more than just annoying -- it can be downright expensive A case study on Symantec Visual Cafe 1.0 and Lotus Organizer GS, and how their delay c ost companies time and money in development plans. IDG January 1, 1997 

Vaporware defended

• Vaporware tactics elicit mixed views Some good statistics on what IT professionals and desktop users think of vaporware's harm to competition, Alleged vaporware practices by Microsoft, and the level at which the government should be involved in regulating software announcements. Computerworld May 1, 1995 

Vaporware listings

• Vaporware 1997: We hardly knew ye List of software products that were announced in 1997, but which never made it to the consumer. Wired December 31, 1997