Hal, the question should be, "does Microsoft abuse their dominant market position by attempting to corner the market on application software."
I like the fact that there is an OS that is dominant, because it give me more choices of application software to choose from. Call it a monopoly if you want. But remember, you are not forced to use Win95, so I really don't buy the monopoly argument. If your company forces you to use MS products, that's just tough; but in your own business or in your personal home, you are obviously not forced to use MSFT's products. You may choose to use them though, because even though you may not like everything about them, the good may outweigh the bad. For that matter, in the home, nobody needs to even use a computer. Balance your checkbook with a calculater. It's very simple to do if you know basic math. [edit: If someone doesn't know basic math, they probably shouldn't be attempting to balance a checkbook on the computer either.] If you own a business, then you simply have some decisions to make. The MS platform gives me what I need and then some. I don't waste time sniveling about it, other than to joke about plug-n-pray and the blue screen of death.
So yes, we have a free market. Except when the DOJ steps in, then maybe it's not free anymore. If MS retains a 90-95% market share, then it's because people like their products, end of story. |
