Just faxed a letter to Senator Hatch concerning Microsoft and its Senatorial hearing today. Its kinda wordy,but here it is.
Senator Hatch
Dear Sir:
I am writing you concerning your investigation into Microsoft and its activities in the Internet. I would like to submit some thoughts.
1) On a challenge, I contacted Dell Computer Corporation to request a quote on a computer. However, I asked could I have Netscape installed instead of Microsft Internet Explorer. I was told no, that Dell only supplied the MSFT Internet Explorer, but they would be glad to ship it with no internet browser and I could install Netscape myself. I asked him how, being a non-computer literate person. He said that I could download it from the net. How was I to get on the net without a browser I asked? He said he didn't know, but probably the best way was to install Microsoft Internet Explorer, find Netscape, download it, and than de-install the Microsoft Internet Explorer.
OK, I don't know all the legal mumbo jumbo, but in reality, who is going to go through all that? The average American is not computer literate, and computers have become commodities, thanks in large part to Microsoft. Most people are going to use whatever is the easiest to install or use, and in Dells case this is the Microsoft Internet Explorer. I am aware that Microsoft claims that both are available, but the truth is that they are not equally accessible. And Dell is not the only one doing this. So I have to wonder why it is that these computer companies are putting on Microsoft's Internet Explorer over Netscape? Netscape is older, larger for now, and has just as good a product, in fact better as the bugs are all worked out. Microsoft is newer and sometimes not fully de-bugged. Why would a world class computer company like Dell use it over Netscape?
2) Microsoft continually uses the mantra of " increased consumer value" and " We need to have the
right to develop our products." However, look at the history of Microsoft. It uses the operating system to put itself into markets and eventually dominate them. Somehow we have clouded the term "operating system" and "application." An operating system should be a hidden program that just tells the computer how to operate. After that, a user should be able to put on any application he wishes. But more and more Windows comes with applications built in. Where does this leave the independent program developers? They have two choices, go out of business or conform to Microsoft.
I would submit a question for Mr. Gates. If the goal of Microsoft is to provide consumers the most value for the purchase of an operating system, than why not simply include Word and Excel in the Windows. If profit is desired, increase the price. Surely it would be less expensive for the consumer to do this than have these programs purchased independently.
I have to think that the reason this is not done is not for competitive purposes. It is, in truth, fear of the DOJ, as this would within a period of years, put any competitor in word processors and spreadsheets out of business. Why? For the same reason as above, people will use what is easiest for them to get.
If these came bundled into the operating system, why should someone go out and spend more money for some other program.
I would also ask Mr. Gates what is coming bundled in Windows 98. I have heard that an entertainment guide is being included. There is already a company that supplies this, rather successfully, over the net. In fact, an article on CNBC, I believe, stated that this company actually called on Microsoft last year and discussed having this service supplied by Microsoft. According to this article, Microsoft told them they were not interested. Now they are coming out with this bundled in Windows 98. Another small company destroyed. And what in this green earth is an entertainment guide doing in an operating system. Once again I would submit that this is another market that Microsoft decided to dominate by using their operating system.
3) I would have to submit that a comparison of Bill Gates to John D. Rockefeller should be made.
There are some outstanding similarities between them. I would recommend that you or one of your aids read a book named " The Prize" by, I think, a man by the name of Gergan. It is a complete history of the oil industry. It would not take long for someone to read the section on Standard Oil before they would realize that Gates and Rockefeller are cut from the same cloth, and actually use some of the same tactics to destroy their competition, although Rockefeller used trains while Gates uses computer makers.
Finally, I would submit that a study needs to be made of Gates business expansions. He is moving into all areas of communications. He has bought a significant stake in NBC, thus gaining a foothold in TV and radio. He has made a billion-dollar investment in Telecommunications Inc, the cable supplier. From this he has now received the contract for the next generation of cable boxes using Windows CE.
And he is moving into the satellite arena with his plans to launch several hundred low earth orbit satellites to take over the actual World Wide Web.
At some point, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and I personally would not like this countries entire communications and data transfer systems being controlled by one company.
I am no alarmist, but I think that at some point a company ceases to be competitive, and becomes predatory. Microsoft has reached this point. I would also submit that you cannot use restraining orders to stop them. They have demonstrated a blatant disregard for these orders, and the current attitude is simply a ruse. I really think they feel they are the future and the government is simply another obstacle to be pushed out of the way. I can understand this to some extent as the technology is changing so fast that the government cannot keep up, so these restraining orders are quickly found to be irrelevant, or at least a way around them is achieved.
The only way that Microsoft can be handled is to break them up, and at some point this will have to happen. Perhaps you are not ready for this yet, but in the end it will be. |
