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

To: ed who wrote (20521)	4/14/1999 12:48:00 PM
From: Jill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Why? I don't know...maybe the uninitiated will buy? Or it will function like "leasing" a 2nd computer for kids in a family that's strapped for $? I don't know...

To: ed who wrote (20521)	4/14/1999 1:19:00 PM
From: t2	Respond to of 74651

The AOL PC would not enter into a corporate market. In addition, remember that AOL uses Internet Explorer as its browser. The AOL PC would have only Navigator as the browser. As long as MSFT can stay ahead in this game, they have no problem. AOL would also have unhappy PC companies to deal with. I don't think they would want to upset the PC companies. They could possibly ask PC companies to manufactur the AOL machines for them. IMHO, they won't sell if a Windows machine is only $75 more. Why would a consumer give up the chance to have an OS that supports many applications. It appears AOL would be selling their machines without the PC company involvement------that could be a problem for AOL. In addition, all AOL competitors (ISPs) will use only Internet Explorer as they won't want to use a direct competitor's browser.

To: ed who wrote (20521)	4/14/1999 1:24:00 PM
From: t2	Respond to of 74651

Ed, On the AOL subject. There is nothing stopping MSFT from selling a stripped down OS with IE as the browser. They would not be obligated to put AOL on that system in contrast to Windows98. Could work out deals with the PC companies to use their ISP businesses---which I think are on the way. AOL could lose out a lot of business in this manner. I can imagine MSFT customizing a emachine for each PC company to market any way they would want. I think MSFT will a lot more power in this emachine biz. IMHO, MSFT would hold a great position of power in this game. MSFT/AOL deal on IE runs out in under 2 years I believe so AOL is trying to move fast prior to that ending. Without cable internet access, i believe they will be in a losing battle.