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

To: dumbmoney who wrote (8126)	5/28/1998 10:32:00 PM
From: Scotsman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

I still think that the bottom line is that the DOJ will have no choice in the end. Due to the speed of technology, the blurring of lines between Aps and OS, and the speed at which MSFT is moving into every data transfer system, including TV, both broadcast and cable, that they will attempt a break up. They don't want to regulate this, and are hopefully smart enough not to try. Their only concern will become does MSFT inhibit competition. The rest is irrelevent to them. Take the article about Gateway. That article effectively says "MSFT Gives Gateway Permission to Install Other Options." In other words, it indicates that prior to this, Gateway had no choice. It supports the DOJ, and more importantly, the state's AGs' case, that MSFT inhibits competition. Now I don't like it, but when they start to investigate how to stop this, it will quickly be discovered that there is no way, the lines are to blurred. And I imagine there will be some concern about MSFT's recent movements in NBC and TCI. It's very conviluted, and when things get this way, they will take the easy way out, which is a break up. At least, they will try. Good chance they may not win. Of course, the DOJ and MSFT will probably settle, which would be good for all. But what to I know. I like Macs with MSFT Office and Netscape, to me the ideal combination for my purposes.

To: dumbmoney who wrote (8126)	5/28/1998 11:07:00 PM
From: Hal Rubel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Monopoly RE"If Microsoft must be regulated (and of course I don't think it should be) it would be far preferable to simply cap the price of Windows, rather than having doj lawyers designing software. Restricting what Microsoft can develop serves no purpose." The Microsoft you describe should not be regulated in any way. The Microsoft described by the DOJ is another mater. HR PS: If things go on unchecked, I envision Microsoft will eventually be offering Windows for free, or even incentiveising people to use it. Control of access to the internet should eventually become overwhelmingly profitable as the fees imposed on internet commerce and advertising mature. Folding-in software (ie, browsers, office suites, etc.) and eliminating the makers of such products is critical in preventing some other company's construction of a competing platform in the short or intermediate term. I would load the boat at todays PE if Microsoft were made exempt from the anti-trust laws. More than likely, Microsoft will not be allowed to grow its monopoly beyond some point, as yet to be determined. HR