I'd like to see MSFT broken up, but breaking them into an OS company and an applications company would be a rigorous no-op. I really like the idea someone floated about breaking them into not two but three companies, each of which would have all of the current MSFT source code: Windows, Office, Back Office, tools, games, etc. That would be real competition, and none of them could blackmail or or bully. I wonder how these "Baby Bills" would do with nothing but low-quality software, no monopoly power, and real competitors. Poof.
As far as a settlement goes, I don't think there's a chance in hell. First of all, the government's smart enough to know that a settlement signed by Microsoft would be exactly like a no-weapons-of-mass-destruction agreement signed by Saddam Hussein: you have to spend resources on oversight and inspection in perpetuity while he fights you at every turn, and he still ends up with the weapons. The previous consent decree proves that. Second, Gates' ego just won't allow his lawyers to sign a paper that even implies that he's anything but a true-blue honest (if hard-driving) businessman who puts his customers first. It won't happen.
So here's to Mike, Row, and Soft. (Of course, even then they'd be back illegally colluding within 48 hours, but watcha gonna do.)
Regards,
--QwikSand |
