Essence of DOJ actions, my comments.
"The Justice Department said its Antitrust Division petitioned the court to, among other things, impose daily fines of $1,000,000 if the company continues to violate the court order, and to stop MSFT from requiring the manufacturers to accept the company's Internet Explorer "browser" as a condition for receiving Windows 95.
So MSFT can say to OEMs, "Okay, you don't have to accept a CD of our IE 4.0, which we bundle free with the OS". How many PC mfrs are going to turn it down? It's FREE, after all. And if Janet Reno has a problem with free software, then she can pay for my copy of IE 3.02.
In addition, the Justice Department said it asked the court to require MSFT to notify consumers who have Windows 95 that they are not required to use the Internet Explorer, that they can use any compatible Internet "browser," and to give consumers "simple instructions about how to remove the Internet Explorer icon" from their personal computer if they choose."
Now that's just ridiculous. I think even the most out-of-touch person knows that Netscape has a compatible browser. It comes FREE with Corel Perfect Office, Corel Print and Photo House 2.0, PrintMaster Gold Deluxe, and I'm sure it also comes bundled free with many other software packages, and OEM computers. So it's out there, and readily available, if people choose to use it.
Re the simple instructions to remove it...duhh...I wonder if that trashcan on my screen has anything to do with it..maybe I should call technical support...
DK |
