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

To: Ibexx who wrote (5080)	2/10/1998 12:22:00 PM
From: jim shiau	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Should we have a contest to guess how high will MSFT fly on 02/20/98 4:00 pm ?

To: Ibexx who wrote (5080)	2/10/1998 5:18:00 PM
From: Flair	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Ibexx & all, "Microsoft makes a pitch to foreign governments" seattletimes.com Posted at 06:23 a.m. PST; Tuesday, February 10, 1998 Microsoft has found at least 71 governments that are happy to work with the Redmond software powerhouse. At a company-sponsored conference at the Westin Hotel in Seattle through today, more than 300 international government delegates are meeting to share ideas, talk software, and not coincidentally learn how Microsoft products can aid their administrations. In his opening address, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates predicted that the U.S. Justice Department's investigation of Microsoft's business practices "is not going to be a major thing" and will not affect Windows 98 or Windows NT 5.0 development. Both products are expected to be released later this year with built-in Internet access and features. "People can expect Microsoft in particular, but perhaps more importantly the software industry, to continue to add features that make software both more powerful and easier to use," Gates said. At the conference, called "Empowerment 2001," vendors are showing Microsoft and other software products aimed at helping governments contact and communicate with citizens via the Internet or stand-alone kiosks in libraries, agencies and stores. Software intended to smooth data and communications exchanges among government agencies also was being demonstrated. Microsoft is still known largely for its desktop software, but the company wants to spread the word about its network servers to help governments install e-mail, publishing, security and database software, said Deborah Willingham, vice president of Microsoft's enterprise customer unit. Gates said the advent of the personal computer has made it possible for governments to set up services in a matter of weeks that previously took months or a year or more to build. On a visit to Europe last week, he met with European Community information officers who are converting from 20 different varieties of Unix to Windows NT workstations. "It's improved their ability to exchange information" and support numerous different languages throughout the alliance, Gates said. Microsoft also is involved in a pilot project involving six European cities that are constructing Web sites to provide new services and communications, Gates said. At a question-and-answer session, Costa Rica President Jose Maria Figueres Olsen was asked if expenditures on technology by developing nations usurped funds for physical infrastructure improvements on water, sewer and other systems. "The proper and adequate use of technology can make the investments those countries need much more cost-effective than if otherwise made," Figueres said. "We can get a lot more bang for whatever our local currency is if we use technology in an appropriate way."

To: Ibexx who wrote (5080)	2/10/1998 5:39:00 PM
From: Flair	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74651

Ibexx & all, "Caldera takes on Windows 95" news.com After receiving permission from a federal magistrate judge, Caldera has amended its private antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft to include evidence concerning Windows 95. Up to now, the suit has been limited to alleged wrongdoing concerning Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS, older versions of Microsoft operating systems that slowly are being phased out. The decision means that Caldera can add its voice to a growing chorus of critics who claim that Microsoft engages in anticompetitive practices when designing and marketing its dominant Windows 95 product. It also could prove to be a significant boon to Caldera's case. Until the court allowed us to include Windows 95 in our lawsuit, the case we've had has been very historical in nature," said Lyle Ball, a spokesman for Caldera. "Now it includes current behavior, so we get to use evidence we've gathered post-1995 to also prove our allegations against Microsoft." Caldera alleges that Microsoft illegally tied MS-DOS software to Windows and engaged in other anticompetitive practices intended to quash DR-DOS, a competing operating system that Caldera acquired from Novell. Microsoft has denied the charges. Two weeks ago, U.S. Magistrate Ronald Boyce of Salt Lake City ruled at a hearing that Caldera was free to amend its complaint to include allegations that Microsoft illegally tied MS-DOS to Windows 95. In addition to providing Caldera with more ammunition to bolster its charges, the ruling could allow the closely-held Utah software maker to collect substantially higher damages should it succeed in proving its case. At a hearing slated for tomorrow, the court is expected to hear Microsoft's request to delay the start of a jury trial scheduled for November. Caldera also plans to raise issues concerning the fact-finding procedure of the case, known as discovery. Rich Gray, an antitrust attorney with Bergeson, Eliopoulos, Grady & Gray, said that the decision is a clear victory for Caldera because the company is now allowed to introduce "potentially explosive" evidence to a jury. He warned, however, that Caldera has by no means won the war. "It certainly breathes life into an important lawsuit, but Caldera still has a lot of work to do," Gray said. For instance, he added, the company will have to demonstrate that there were no technological justifications for tying Windows software to MS-DOS. Caldera also must demonstrate that, were it not for Microsoft's allegedly anticompetitive activities, DR-DOS would have enjoyed gained significant market share. Neither allegation will be easy to prove, Gray said. Caldera filed its case in July 1996, alleging that Microsoft unnecessarily tied MS-DOS to Windows and made false promises, known as vaporware announcements, in order to eliminate DR-DOS. The suit is just one of a number of actions taking aim at Microsoft's allegedly anticompetitive practices.

To: Ibexx who wrote (5080)	2/10/1998 5:46:00 PM
From: Flair	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Ibexx & all, "Oracle exec denies Netscape purchase rumor." Posted at 9:23 p.m. PST Monday, February 9, 1998 sjmercury.com Oracle Corp. is not interested in buying Netscape Communications, Oracle President Ray Lane said yesterday. ''We're not actively considering it,'' said Lane, who was in Pittsburgh to speak to gatherings of programmers and corporate chief information officers. Oracle has been mentioned often as a potential Netscape suitor. Rumors about Netscape surfaced last week when The Wall Street Journal reported the company was considering selling all or parts of itself. Netscape has been fighting a difficult battle with industry giant Microsoft in the market for software used to browse the World Wide Web. Oracle, which shares Netscape's Silicon Valley roots as well as its intense rivalry with Microsoft, is the largest maker of corporate-database software. It is also aiming to broaden its reach through its Network Computer division. But Lane downplayed the value of acquisitions generally and Netscape specifically. ''We don't proactively look for acquisitions,'' he said. ''Making acquisitions is not necessarily the path to success.'' And Lane said Netscape is not especially attractive. ''I'm not sure that the technology and revenue are worth the price,'' which he estimated at $2 billion to $2.5 billion. Netscape is not earning any revenue from its browser software, which it now gives away free. Since Oracle's server technology is better than Netscape's, Lane said, Oracle would essentially be paying for Netscape's brand name. ''A $2.5 billion brand play?'' he said. ''Maybe for Coke or Pepsi. But that's a little expensive for us.''