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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (31044)	4/2/2000 6:17:00 PM
From: Logain Ablar	Respond to of 50167

Rehan: A few quick comments: 1) It was Tom Watson IBM's Chairman in the 50's who indicated the 5 mainframe computers. 2) WIN 95's original version did not come bundled with a browser. Remember in 95 MSFT wasn't even focusing on the web. I beleive WIN 95 release .2 came bundled. 3) On MSFt defense of explorer and windows being separate. They're defense is they want to retain the ability to inovate and add products to the operating system (they already won this at the appelate level). 4) On the greatest card well DOS got them started and Windows 3.1 allowed MSFT to get the jump on Lotus with the applications. Just evolution of the products. There can be no doubt that Microsoft has used their monopoly powers unfairly to quash their rivals and stifle innovation. 5) Well the judge indicated this but who said life is fair. Did they adversely hurt the consumer. This is judgemental and I don't think so. The trade rags can rant all they want about stifled innovation but what about vxworks, java, solaris, unix, linux, etc. But thats my opinion and we're all entitled. Just remember you have a relatively stable operating system (relative in that msft has made the OS as all encompasing as possible so there are software conflicts, imaging when the code is open how many crashes we'll have). MSFT in giving away the browser for free was following a practice done all over the software industry. Look @ intuit with its turbotax with quicken, IBM with add ons for its db2. There are many more. The consumer beneifts. Microsoft repeatedly delayed licensing negotiations with IBM because of its insistence on developing OS/2 Warp, a competing operating system, and because it was bundling competing office productivity software with its computers. Valid. It was also noted in the anti trust trial that Microsoft threatened to withdraw support for new Pentium processors if Intel did not stop developing software for enhanced graphics. Again valid but INTL has done the same. Its just the INTL VP suponead to speak at the trial had no knowledge on this (the attorneys are very good at presenting cases when the # of witnesses are limited). Again on hurt consumers. Try to envision where we'd be without windows, word, excel etc. You do have a choice its just why pay for competitors products that while less expensive offer less features. JMO but recheck some of the facts your stating. Tim

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (31044)	4/2/2000 10:28:00 PM
From: Joe S Pack	Respond to of 50167

Here is a simple remedy that will punish its past immoral and illegal behaviours and also future oriented: 1) Break the beast into three companies (OS, Applications, Services), and 2) Open its OS code to all application developers. There has to be remedy for those thousands of hardworking innovative souls of Silicon Valley that MSFT killed using its dominance. Another point, I am not where you got $40+ figure for Netscape browser. I remember it is in 20s. -Nat

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (31044)	4/2/2000 11:16:00 PM
From: CL	Respond to of 50167

Dear IQ and Rehan, Congratulation on your article. Its excellent. Would like to see more contribution from Rehan and his brothers here. With best regards, CL

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (31044)	4/3/2000 12:12:00 AM
From: Kona	Respond to of 50167

Hi Rehan, This is very well written but there are factual errors which I see have been pointed out by Mandragoran. What you may consider adding to your paper is the position that Microsoft finds itself in now is the same spot that IBM found itself 25 years ago. In those days the same references that one often sees about Microsoft buying the universe were often made about IBM. The most tantalising question is, would Microsoft have become what it is if IBM hadn't been under attack from the justice department. Don't forget that Microsoft's coming of age was because they were chosen by IBM to write the OS for the IBM PC. I guess that a case can be made that Microsoft's success came about because of a vigilant justice department keeping IBM from squashing nascent competition though I think the truth is that IBM management never saw the potential that Bill Gates did. Of course not many other folks saw what Bill Gates did, including our friends at Intel. If you dig back a bit you will find that IBM had to take a big equity position in Intel to save them from potentially being snapped up. I think it was around 1981. I think you hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph when you state that Microsoft should open up the source code. I think that would be a brilliant preemptive move. They could give it away to anyone who wanted to produce a tweaked version of Windows but 95% of the sales would still go to Microsoft. Keep up the good work ! regards, Prakash

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (31044)	4/3/2000 3:02:00 AM
From: James C. Mc Gowan	Respond to of 50167

Rethan, very nice work; you may be interested to note that on April, 19,2000, MSFT officially rolls out the Pocket PC, with support from manufacturers like HP, Compaq, Casio. Bill Gates is moving quickly to capture the wireless internet PDA market for MSFT. While I do not, in any way, support Gates's predatory approach in his business dealings, I will, for one, not bet against him. BTW: the last time the gov't sued MSFT, in 1994, Gates settled, but requested that MSFT have the opportunity to add "additional features" to the OS; the gov't did not see any harm in this request. The first "additional feature" was Internet Explorer, and the rest is history. Now Bill is moving into wireless internet, with armies of MSFT legal talent at work to forstall any significant change in the overall business plan. Look out PalmPilot Best of luck with your studies. Regards, James