As has been said on this thread before. This whole thing reference MSFT and NSCP is just a big smoke cloud. SUNW, ORACLE and IBM have done more to kill the NSCP browser and future upgrades than MSFT could even dream of doing. The only difference is that MSFT is considered a big bully and the other three are considered defenders of the Universe against the all mighty power of MSFT ;-). I prefer to just think of the three as backstabbers when it comes to their conduct with NSCP.
NO, NETSCAPE ISN'T THROWING IN THE TOWEL
The takeover rumors have receded, and it's still standing
What would really help is some aid from the companies that have been past allies. But Barksdale may not be able to count on them. IBM, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, and Sun were happy to support Netscape when it was the Internet upstart challenging Microsoft. Some of them may be less eager to help Netscape compete for their corporate customers. Most are writing their own Net-based software. And so far, no company has said yes to Andreessen, who has been asking for help funding a new browser for so-called network computers.
''We like there to be competition,'' says David Roux, an Oracle executive vice-president. ''But it's not our business to subsidize other people's fights.'' Barksdale had better keep his sandbags handy.
businessweek.com
WHY I'M ROOTING FOR MICROSOFT
A close look at its browser shows it should be linked with the operating system
I don't want to belittle the public policy issues regarding Microsoft's dominance of desktop computing. If the company is using its near monopoly of operating systems to extend its control to the servers that run the Web, or to steer customers to Microsoft-run Web commerce sites, then it should be stopped.
But it's clear to me that the incorporation of browsing and other Internet functions into Windows is a powerful innovation. It may be very inconvenient for Microsoft's competitors, but it's a big gain for consumers, who should be allowed to enjoy the benefits.
businessweek.com |
