I’m trying to compile a small list of well-known software products whose developers started a full (or large) rewrite while they held a prominent market position — both those who lost such position during the rewrite and those who kept it.
Ideally, each item in the list would be accompanied by a reference to a reputable source telling the story.
Examples – Lost dominant position concurrently with a rewrite
- Lotus 1-2-3 – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_1-2-3#Decline
- Netscape Navigator – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape_Navigator#The_fall_of_Netscape – http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000069.html
Examples – Went through rewrite while keeping dominant position
- Microsoft Windows – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_windows#Windows_NT_family
- PHP – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP#History
I encourage you to read Joel Spolsky’s Things You Should Never Do, Part I where he addresses I believe the same point you’re dealing with.