JGoren, even if one defined desktop computers as the whole field of personal computers, including the Macintosh, but excluding some of the unix based systems designed for networking, MSFT would still have at least 80 percent of the market for its Windows operating system. All I'm suggesting is that even if an appellate court defined desktop computing more broadly, a monopoly would still exist.
You raise an interesting comparison between an integrated QCOM chip and a software system with internet browser integrated into the system. But one of the issues regarding Netscape (in fact, the issue that led to the government taking the issue seriously) had to do with MSFT threatening to retaliate against Compaq if Compaq bundled Netscape Navigator in one of its PC models it was about to bring on the market. I think this goes a little further than just the issue of whether you can get the Navigator browser to work adequately when the Explorer browser is already installed.
As for estate taxes, the really rich, helped by teams of legal experts, pretty much have solved the problem of minimizing or eliminating these taxes. The only people who currently suffer are those whose estates are above the current minimum taxable amounts but under about $2 million, since that group often fails to consult outside help in setting up grandchildren trusts, charitable remainder trusts, etc., all of which work to protect the rest of the estate from taxes. Irwin isn't taking chances either. He and his wife already gave an engineering school, together with an endowment for its faculty. |
