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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Daniel Schuh who wrote (34956)	11/30/1999 1:25:00 PM
From: PMS Witch	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74651

In my earlier post, I've neglected to address stupidity. There's no need to fight over it because both sides have plenty of their own. I agree that Microsoft placed their trust in a legal team that was, (How should I put it?), less than stellar. Mistakes have been made. I doubt anyone was more upset than I was at seeing 'Chairman Bill' rocking back and forth like some demented idiot. My disappointment became disgust when the 'switched PC' matter was exposed. But then again, I didn't invest in a legal powerhouse, but a software powerhouse. But come on! Things may not be as simple as I view them, but the way I see it is this: If wrong was done, admit it, accept the punishment, mend your ways. I learned these simple ideas before I could tie my own shoes. Also, If no wrong was done, don't admit guilt because it's expedient. As far as Microsoft's contribution to the internet... Without Windows PCs, we'd all be on-line using what? Apple's overpriced, underpowered Macs? Sun workstations? Palm Pilots? Give me a break! Windows brought computing to the masses. Period! Without the masses, the internet as we know it would be unrecognizable. I don't appreciate Windows' shortcomings. I do admire Windows backward compatibility. Dropping yesterday's consumer in favour of tomorrow's may be some people's idea of progress, but I doubt many would want to upgrade OS, Apps, hardware, and data all at once, or re-learn a new system every few years. You're right about offering 'IE free' Windows. This would've been a trivial exercise for a Microsoft and it may have spared them much of today's mess. Going forward, the wise choice would to not only follow the letter of the law, but to follow the spirit as well, and beyond this, be careful to appear as following the law too. I have absolutely no desire to go back to computing without the standard environment established by the Windows PC. Gone are the days when consumers needed to juggle hardware, OS, disks (size and format), and cable incompatibilities. I can just see it all now: Caller with Word problem being told your troubles are caused by the OS, and the OS people telling him Word is the source of the difficulties. At least with one Microsoft, the blame has difficulty dispersing. As a shareholder, I want to see Microsoft treated fairly. This means an appropriate punishment for misdeeds, and protection from persecution if no misdeeds have been committed. As a consumer, I want a PC without the hassles of incompatibilities brought by a fragmented industry of bit players all struggling for their own survival. As a citizen, I want our system of government to work as it should. I want the rule of law to stand above anyone's and everyone's political or financial influence. Cheers, PW.