Perry,
<OT> I've worked in the computer software industry for over 25 years. I beg to differ, and have facts to back it up.
I've met some of their senior executives, worked with them on software project as a competitor and as a partner (it's called coopetition) and I can tell you emphatically that you're wrong.
I don't plan to get into this with you, but let me just say that Microsoft played by two sets of rules. They didn't destroy their competition, they created an environment where none could exist - illegally. They didn't innovate as much as they took ideas from other companies from meetings that were supposed to share ideas under mutual non-disclosure. Why? Because you had to come to Microsoft to get the OS to do what you needed to to support your application. They cherry-picked innovation all over the map. They shared the best from the OS side of the house with the applications side of the house. Software backdoors, special functionality, etc. They used their power to thwart the adoption of industry-standards, etc.
How about MAKING you buy Windows on your new PC from DELL, GATEWAY and CPQ even when you didn't want to.
Enough. No-one is above the law. They've always been arrogant, and they still are.
Steve
PS: In the meantime, for such a good Barron's article on BRCM, it is being severly punished. Down 16 as I look now at 2:00ET |
