It is a product that is available and separate from the OS. IE is a separate executable file.
IE is available for Sun OS (Solaris I think) Also, it is avail for the Mac OS (7 or 8 not sure.) Hence, I conclude, it is a separate product.
Gates is working on fuzzifying the line between executables, DLLs mess, to be able to argue that they are one integral product.
Service packs cannot act as a product on their own. Also, they only run on windows to, as you know, update the OS, add some new neato feature, lock the user more into a narrower one-way road so that they'll have less of a choice to upgrade to the next version, introduce and change more DLL mess so as to mistify windows further, fix some bugs, and introduce others.
A screen saver, if it was a product, it is not essential to the OS nor threatening to microsoft. Hence it does not compete with windows. SO you're OK to exist if you're a screen saver vendor.
The bottom line is: if microsoft sees your product/service as a threat to its monopoly, it has the right to copy then integrate what you offer into the OS. Cases in point: browser, Java, NC, TCO.
I do not work for SUN nor netscape. I just have seen enough crap from MS products, a home and work. Microsoft technology, in best politically correct and polite words, is a MESS. |
