Hal, re the San Jose Mercury News article headline, "Microsoft gives Gateway freedom to customize.":
Microsoft spokesman Jim Cullinan said that PC users are already allowed to customize their screens, but Gateway was given more freedom because it owns its own Internet service.
''Gateway does have a special circumstance,'' Cullinan said.
Gateway said the choice was restricted to computer users who sign up for its Internet service, Gateway.net, which currently has about 100,000 subscribers.
Yes, PC buying consumers now have the "freedom" to "choose" Gateway.net. Surely a new era of freedom has dawned. All hail to his majesty Ted Waitt.
Hal, the interesting thing is your very words could be used against Sun and in favor of Microsoft on the Java issue. Let's just change company names:
"PS: How about: Sun Finally Concedes Microsoft's Right to Customize its Own Product."
On that issue, Sun/Netscape camp supporters maintain a religious devotion to the idea of Sun retaining absolute control over all forms of Java licensed to other companies, notably and particularly Microsoft. Suddenly here in this area, the originator of the technology should be given the right to control how or whether its product should be altered by customers. But when it comes to Microsoft and Win95/98, why who do they think they are? It's the PC OEMs who own the product once they buy it from Microsoft! Note it's both software, the Java language and the Win95/98 OS.
A curious contradiction. |
