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

To: Daniel Schuh who wrote (15537)	12/24/1997 9:25:00 AM
From: Daniel Schuh	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24154

Microsoft Digs In Against a 'Poorly Informed' U.S. nytimes.com I liked the title on the cybertimes' index page better, "Microsoft Hardens Stance, Drawing Critics", which was sorta in line with my original take, that old middle finger raised higher. But never mind, the story is the same. Microsoft's stubborn position that it cannot comply with a Federal judge's order to unbundle its World Wide Web browser software from its popular Windows 95 operating system -- at least not without damaging recent versions of Windows -- may be stirring a backlash against the company. Criticism is coming even from people who are generally sympathetic to Microsoft. "This is turning into a public relations disaster," said Mike Elgan, the editor of Windows magazine, a monthly that focuses on how to make best use of Microsoft's operating system. "There's a lot of anger about Microsoft now, over the way the company has handled this issue. And it's difficult to come to its defense." Not that difficult, I guess, at least if you believe that Bill is the reification of John Galt. (usage isn't quite correct, but I always wanted to throw that word in somewhere) Unfortunately, the number of people who believe that probably isn't sufficient to matter much on the hearts and minds front. Bill's friends also tend to have an argumentative style that's not terribly appealing or convincing. "I'm right, you're wrong, as is the DOJ, Judge, all the trade rags, the general business press, and anybody else who disagrees with me. What Microsoft says is the Truth". Maybe, but until the revolution, the judges still have something to say in the matter. Microsoft's behavior has perplexed many industry experts. It would be fairly easy, they say, for the giant software company to offer PC makers a compromise option for unbundling Internet Explorer from Windows to satisfy the Government and the court. Microsoft, they add, would suffer little or no commercial harm because the company distributes its browsing program free, and it has become technically equal, if not superior, to its main rival, the Navigator program made by the Netscape Communications Corporation. But mere mortals cannot possibly understand. I've done my best, and I sorta stand by the assertion that IE is pretty much as integrated as Word is, but I'm sure others will be digging into the matter a little more deeply. Cheers, Dan. Merry Christmas to all! (oops, Happy Holidays I mean)