David, re: OT - Then again - Microsoft's behavior, "If I may? ---"
Yes you may :) Thanks for your thoughts...
Yes I understand the complaint. It also isn't the first time that Microsoft has "swallowed" "utility" software functions by integrating into Windows. I remember Adobe type fonts and Stacker disk compression. For each of these two areas the innovating company can be said to be no longer viable competitors. Then there is Windows GUI itself, borrowed from Apple who borrowed from Xerox PARC, and then networking. (Whew, I wonder what if anything MS did first? I can only think of GWBASIC).
Now to restate MS's point of view. Bill adamantly asserts that even though Microsoft may not originate the idea of a new software function, the company has the right to "innovate" their OS by extending the OS to incorporate similar functions. I understand that Win98 strives to fully embed the browser function along side access to files, replacing MS Explorer, and I presume the text editors, replacing MS Wordpad. He claims to swallow stuff is just rapid innovation making a better OS.
Hmmm, what DOJ says is "bundling" Bill says in innovation...
For yet another angle, check out this squabble:
mediainfo.com
"SEATTLE TIMES vs. MICROSOFT - Nasty Words Between Publishing Competitors"
See the link for the story...
Looks like Bill does not limit his reach or tactics to just software. MS is also obviously intent on swallowing news online publication threatening all newspapers and broadcasters. In the services area, MS has also swallowed Hotmail (leader in free email).
I wonder if MSNBC will become part of Windows-XX in the near future?
Ok what about all this? To me it looks as if MS is driving a steamroller at 180 miles per hour where its competitors are use to running at a "fast" say sixty miles per hour. If Bill targets a business he enters with big money, either by directly buying the leader or hiring away his competitor's people. Needless to say the "victims" are not happy to see Microsoft run them over.
Jeff |
