Microsoft Bows on Opening Screen Options nytimes.com
Well, a tiny bit, and it has nothing to do with today's court appearance. Of course. Just another random thing.
"We made the decision based on feedback" from PC makers, explained Yusuf Mehdi, a Microsoft marketing executive.
Right, as usual Microsoft "listens to its customers". Here, they are treating the OEMs with the courtesy and respect Microsoft is famous for. And it has nothing to do with legal problems.
The company's channel bar, however, will still be part of Windows 98, just one click away from the first screen. PC makers want to be able to tailor Internet offerings to the interests of specific customers, forging closer relations with their customers and collecting a fee on the resulting online transactions for themselves instead of being forced to surrender that business to Microsoft.
"The real issue is whether Microsoft will allow the PC makers to populate the channel bar with their own selections," said Ken Wasch, president of the Software Publishers Association, a trade group.
Oops, there's that crummy old press, off selling advertising again. We know what the TRUTH is.
Cheers, Dan. |
