Federal Court Vacates MS Breakup?????

[Krakn3Dfx]

I don't see breaking up M$ as the right option, but I don't think the government should sit idly by while they include utilities and applications in Windows for the sole purpose of running smaller companies out of business. I sit on the fence as far as political affiliation because I agree with issues on both sides and disagree with far more issues on both sides. I don't have an answer as far as what to do with M$, but I think something along the lines of keeping them from including these apps that don't offer anything innovative to consumer but still kill business for companies like GoldenHawk, Netscape, and others would be a start. Then you have the thought that those who cannot adapt will not survive, which is very much a business expression these days. It seems like business owners take a very conservative approach until the liberal approach will benefit them more, thinking they can do whatever they want to stay ahead, but lashing out at other companies that do the same thing. Microsoft is ahead right now by a lead that it's hard to see any other company catching, but there was once a little company called IBM that enjoyed the same lead, and look where they are now.

 

[Stark]

Why is it that whenever MS is involved in a discussion, all the facts get thrown out the window?


<< Microsoft, AOL resume Windows XP talks
By Reuters
June 3, 2001, 2:10 p.m. PT
update NEW YORK--AOL Time Warner and Microsoft are back at the bargaining table over whether AOL's software will be included in the soon-to-be released Windows XP operating system, after talks broke down late last week.

&quot;We're back at the table, we're happy to be back at the table, and hope to reach a mutually beneficial conclusion,&quot; said Microsoft spokesman Jim Cullinan. AOL was not immediately available for comment.

A five-year deal that gave AOL coveted placement on the Windows desktop and made Microsoft's Internet Explorer the default browser on America Online's flagship service expired on Jan. 1 of this year.
Published reports Saturday said that the talks to renew the deal were called off when the companies, both vying to become the dominant force on the Internet, could not agree to terms.

Although the talks are back on, a source close to the negotiations said the companies are still &quot;far apart&quot; on key issues, &quot;from technical questions to the overall relationship.&quot;

One sticking point is whether AOL's software will support Microsoft's Windows Media Player in addition to its current support for RealNetworks' RealPlayer format. Microsoft and AOL have also sparred over instant messaging and other issues.

The March 1996 deal now being renegotiated was central in the U.S. antitrust case against Microsoft, currently being reviewed by a federal appeals court. At issue was whether Microsoft used its dominance of the PC desktop to increase its power in the Internet market.

&quot;When you consider over the past few years, the efforts by AOL and competitors to bring legal action against Microsoft, that isn't really a good atmosphere for a positive relationship,&quot; said the source close to the negotiations. >>


Link
This means that in order for AOL to get on the Windows XP desktop, RealNetworks and AIM get the shaft, and IE gets included in all installs of AOL. They are using their monopoly in the desktop to gain dominance in other areas. That's what MS does.

 

[Stark]

<< AOL is just as big of predator as MS is, even more so IMHO. >>


AOL is dominant, but there are still literally 100's of other ways to get online. There is no other way to run 99% of all consumer software except through MS Windows.
ISP finder lists &quot;3,363 ISPs and climbing!&quot;

 

[Mrburns2007]

Microsoft has 94% of the market and yet there OS is the most expensive out there. Apple which has about 3% or something like that and yet there OS is $129. Since Microsoft has such huge volume they should have lower prices. Windows XP should be $50 or maybe $75 max.

 

[Pabster]

Compuwiz1 wrote:

&quot;Yes...as it should be. Big Brother is meddling there, where it's got no business.

Stark, vacate means the case isn't going anywhere.&quot;

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court will ultimately decide where the case goes. Hopefully it'll be dropped quickly. Big Brother certainly has no business with this case. It was a Clinton-era political idea, which flunked brutally. I think the government can find better things to waste millions upon millions of dollars on. Oh, and David Boies absolutely sickens me, did I mention that?