You know, the Java situation is interesting. It somewhat, in theory, weakens Windows as it doesn't need it to run. This is a danger for MSFT, but indeed is an example of the market's tendency to create competition that eventually destroys monopolies.
That being said, however, this situation is also an example of the MSFT method of keeping itself in power. From what I have read and the basis of Sun's suit against MSFT, what has happened is classic MSFT. They saw that JAVA was a threat, so they licensed it. Than they analyzed it and adapted it to Windows. But in doing this, they have changed it enough so that they now are starting to claim their own version of JAVA, which is not compatible with SUNS.
If this is left unchecked, the next step will be when Windows 2000 comes out, it will not support SUNS JAVA, but will support MSFT JAVA. Once again, since MFST owns the OS, this will effectively lock out SUN.
So who's right? Got me. Business is war, and the successful understand this, although the general public may find it distastful. And I have always said we would do our children a great favor if they were taught at a early age that fair is something clowns perform in. Eventually if SUN doesn't do it something will come along that MSFT cannot control. But it may be years if not decades. |
