Back then, SCO was very popular. Remember, Linux barely existed and any other multi-user/ multi-tasking OS was expensive. SCO was relatively cheap (about $1500.00) and you could attach dumb terminals or Windows. A LOT of folks ported software to SCO (Lotus, Perkin Elmer, Oracle, Pick, RealWorld accounting, Foxpro...) and really - you couldn't throw a rock in any city or town without hitting a SCO system - they were everywhere, from the corner gas stations to restaurants and airlines.

But SCO management blew it all. They'd tell a different story, but really 90% of their downward spiral was their own fault.