Doren, That is a very cogent argument. Forcing a system maker to but a MS OS even though they are shipping with Rhapsody, or OS2, or DrDos is very definitely anti trust as it deinies the other OS living space. I have often wondered why the DOJ has never attacked that point?, ie has MSFT a good defence that we do not know of?, such as a client sayin he wants to buy it with no OS because he will then make a copy and infringe, so MSFT says we will make it cheap and universal. If you want to pick and choose the OS, then we have boxed retail product for you, like the screwdriver shops do for $75 each.(OEMS like Compaq pay $25-35, I am not sure of this price, but the angle is valid), and the OEMs find it cheaper to blanket buy than sell naked systems(no OS) to a few and buy boxed OS for 95% at $75 per. (As most want the OS included, it hides many ills and give Compaq and the other bulk OEMs an advantage over the screwdriver shops of about $50 per unit)
Bill |
