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To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (9710)	11/6/1999 3:56:00 AM
From: Homer Pigeon	Respond to of 54805

Backlash? dowjones.wsj.com ----begin snip However, he added, an appeals court could find the judge's tone extreme, helping Microsoft get the decision overturned. Meanwhile, reaction from Capitol Hill was largely negative as some lawmakers warned the ruling would have a chilling effect on technological innovation. House Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas Bliley (R., Va.) reacted with concern to Judge Jackson's findings of fact, saying he is "troubled" the ruling may signal the high-tech industry is open to regulation from the courts. "The high-tech industry is responsible for producing 30% of our economic growth," the congressman said, declaring that the industry should not be burdened by excessive government regulation. "That would be a disaster for our economy and millions of working Americans," Rep. Bliley said. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, reacting to the judge's findings of act in the Microsoft, said, "No high-tech company should cheer these findings -- because they could easily become the next target of the government's mad rush to regulate our most promising industry. "Once again we are seeing the unlimited arsenal of government used against a successful company," the business group said. "Every high-tech executive in America should be asking, 'Am I next?" the Chamber said. Predictably, Microsoft's rivals gloated, while the company's supporters stressed that the decision is only a first step in deciding the case and investors pounded the company's stock in after-hours trading. "Hallelujah. If we could jump any higher right now, we would," said Ransom Love, president and chief executive of Caldera Inc., a Utah-based software maker that's suing Microsoft in a separate case charging predatory practices. Paul Rothstein, a Georgetown University law professor and a consultant to Microsoft, said the decision was an "unwarranted extension of the antitrust laws," adding that it is too soon to say Microsoft has lost the case. Investors reacted to the ruling by selling off Microsoft's shares. Although the news came after the regular close of U.S. markets, Microsoft stock plunged about 3% in after-hours trading. But, said Russell, the Edward Jones analyst, "As a shareholder of Microsoft, I would not panic and sell the stock. The business is still very solid." In Microsoft's hometown, Redmond, Wash., local supporters quickly rallied to Microsoft's defense. "We strongly disagree with the judge's findings," said Washington Gov. Gary Locke. "Microsoft products have greatly benefited consumers!" -----end snip

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (9710)	11/6/1999 8:12:00 PM
From: TigerPaw	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

Everybody has been "trained on" Windows I can't predict how the present would be if the past were different. I suspect that lot's of different computers would be based on a variety of archetectures and unified by similar graphical interfaces. The old P-Code idea of the 70's is now P-Code on steroids with Java and I think that would have also contributed to some programs universal along different platforms. Finally I think most major programs would be in several hardware flavors (with very similar user interfaces) and this requirement would have greatly advanced the customization and on-line delivery of software by now. I think we are years behind because so much talent was wasted trying to think what WinTel would do next.