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Technology Stocks : MSFT -- Should the DOJ Break it up? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ed who wrote (92)	5/14/1998 4:10:00 PM
From: Qtrlytrades	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 144

The success of the Windows OS is fair as you stated. The reasons to break up MSFT are for using that successful monopoly to unfairly bring down other companies and their technology. Dumping IE for free is the same as Japanese companies dumping super computers or autos into the market. Requiring OEM PC's to include IE is outrageous. If they limited to bundling IE to other product sales as a loss-leader that is as far as they should be allowed to go.

To: ed who wrote (92)	5/14/1998 8:15:00 PM
From: energy_investor	Respond to of 144

Ed, I applaud Microsoft for what they have done(i.e., create the "standard" os for home PC's). But the fact remains that they are now a monopoly and it is illegal for monopolies to abuse their market power by giving their OTHER products special advantages through the monopoly that they hold. The answer: force Microsoft to play fair (if you have done any reading whatsoever on the web and in PC magazines, it is abundantly clear that they do not play fair and are exceptionally ruthless) or force them to spin off the os. The os would still be the standard, but the other Microsoft divisions would now have to compete on a level playing field. These are the rules in the US and most other industrial societies. Sorry if you don't like them,but that is the way it is. I don't like speed limits, but I have to obey the law (my loss is society's gain). Dwight probably doesn't like not being able to buy a 120mm Howitzer, but his loss is everyone else's gain ;). It's all moot anyway. The game is up for Microsoft. Sorry, but that is the way it is; you are flogging a dead horse.

To: ed who wrote (92)	5/19/1998 7:48:00 AM
From: Kenneth E. De Paul	Respond to of 144

When I started this thread, I did not really have any idea of the IE v. Netscape issues and the impending monoploy power issues that would have been played out, but as you see, they have already happened. The idea of forcing a competitive playing field, like using umpires in baseball, is not a matter of harping on unfair calls, but the attempt to make a better game. If DOJ stops the abuse of power here, attempting to snuff out other viable internet browsers and whatever else, I think we will all be better off. As far as your mutliple pc o/s and product support problem, just look at the Unix market, Java, etc. Be certain to ask yourself, whether we would even have this convseration if the IE v. Netscape case goes the other way.