Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : MSFT Internet Explorer vs. NSCP Navigator -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John F. Dowd who wrote (15329)	12/22/1997 3:50:00 PM
From: Bearded One	Respond to of 24154

True Windows is dominant as a flagship product but the attachment of the "free" product IE doesn't resemble tying at all as the product is free. Incredible, actually. Microsoft managed to combine "tying" and "dumping" together in one activity.

To: John F. Dowd who wrote (15329)	12/22/1997 3:59:00 PM
From: Daniel Schuh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24154

Ah, another definitive version of the truth, relayed from Redmond through the estimable Mr. Dowd. No, it would be awful indeed if OEMs "hacked" the OS by removing the sacred IE icon. That would void the warranty for sure, and customers would thus deprive themselves of the excellent service provided by Microsoft. They'd have to figure out how to refomat and reinstall all by themselves. Yes, that Judge is indeed banal, to assume that "uninstall" means the opposite of install, like it does in English. I'm sure Microsoft's chosen expert will straighten him out when the time comes, but I'd advise said expert to be somewhat more temperate in tone than Mr. Dowd, if he's interested in avoiding that contempt citation. But, that's not a legal opinion. Christmas Cheers to you too, John. Cheers, Dan.

To: John F. Dowd who wrote (15329)	12/22/1997 5:16:00 PM
From: mike iles	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24154

John, Why do you think MSFT is tying IE to Windows and why are they 'giving' it away?? Because the browser is the user interface of the future, the OS of the Net. If they can capture the browser market, they can continue their dominance of the industry. If they can't, then they are diminished ... albeit still a very successful company. There's only one issue here and that's: is MSFT going to be allowed to illegally leverage their Windows monopoly to own the Net. The DOJ is saying no. When you step back and look at how big the Net is already and what it will be in 5, 10 years ... well it puts the current worldwide telephony network in the shade. Or it will ... IMO it's just totally impossible that one company will own that infrastructure. Politically, it just ain't going to happen. Already we have the President of the Phillipines going to Redmond on bended knee. Do you think the people in Washington are going to contemplate that for one minute? Again in my opinion, MSFT would be smart to rethink their fundamental strategy because what they want just ain't in the cards. Using the OS monopoly as the cornerstone of their strategy is flawed. It's a lightning rod for the opposition. Maybe they should do something like break the OS part off into a separate company ... somehow I think it will take them a long time to reach that conclusion, if they ever do! regards, Mike

To: John F. Dowd who wrote (15329)	12/22/1997 7:11:00 PM
From: Doug Fowler	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24154

John: If I buy your argument that since IE is free, it is not a tying issue, then it would seem that one could conclude that what Microsoft is actually doing is "dumping" IE. They are selling the product at below their cost because they are giving it away. The product obviously costs Microsoft money to make. Certainly, supplying IE at below cost is to the detriment of their primary competitor. And, certainly, Microsoft used this tactic to attempt to annihilate their primary competitor. Didn't Mexico just today order Warner-Lambert to stop selling chewing gum below their cost and say they were using the tactic to destroy the competition? How is what Microsoft is doing with IE pricing so different than selling chewing gum below cost? Doug