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Technology Stocks : Semi-Equips - Buy when BLOOD is running in the streets! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (4246)	12/31/1997 1:45:00 PM
From: Ian@SI	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10921

Brian, OT Usually I agree with the content of your posts, but when it comes to MSFT's software, I think Cary is being polite by calling it ST. Many software providers have provided quality products - improved functionality and bulletproof reliability. MSFT is surpassed only by IBM for delivering ST which they will then gradually evolve to a barely tolerable product over a period of years. The fact that a competitor hasn't eaten MSFT's lunch is more of a VHS vs Beta phenomenon IMO. IBM made the PC kosher. MSFT was in the right place at the right time. Apple became toast. UNIX seemed to be backroom, scientific stuff rather than attracting a large consumer or general business following. ... and had far too many "flavours". The discussion reminds me of a punchline from an old joke, "This tastes like ST, ... but good ST, mind you." Happy new year to all, Ian

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (4246)	12/31/1997 2:38:00 PM
From: Clarksterh	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 10921

Brian - OT Microsoft became the operating system not because it was better technically than other PC operating systems, but because it was better at marketing. While there is nothing wrong with this in moderation, it does need to be moderated - unlike technical ability which should be free to explode if it is capable of doing so. The only question is: 'At what point should it be moderated?'. Clark PS I've noted that almost everyone seems to take their position inre MSFT vs DOJ based on emotional bias: 1) Some people hate the government. 2) Some people hate MSFT (there are a lot of those, especially ex Apple users) 3) Some people own MSFT (or Netscape). Almost no one seems to be concerned with what I think is the key issue - how to promote maximum competition in the market, and thus gain the most innovation and lowest prices. The very fact that Microsoft has a HUGE cash surplus indicates that perhaps competition is not everything it should be.