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Playing fast and loose with "myths"
First, let's look at devices Microsoft used to achieve the desktop dominance. The response to DR-DOS was a licensing scheme in which the OEM payed a license fee based on the number of CPUs shipped. What that meant in real terms is that it actually cost more to ship a machine with DR-DOS than with MS-DOS. (Oh and by the way, remember that cute little "warning" that popped up if you ran Windows?) Eventually, the Justice Department caught on and MS said, "so sorry - it won't happen again." It didn't need to happen again; by now the desired result is achieved. (Incidentally, my kids were pretty good at this; adults don't think hard enough about loopholes.) So now the OEMs are locked into one solution. And as much as software folks would like to believe differntly, most buyers don't care what OS is on their machine - they're buying a brand name, not an OS. There is no incentive for any OEM to invest in the support of a second OS. So you're right - nobody is holding a gun to their head - anymore. The earlier gun did the job to perfection.

As for IE, Microsoft reps testified in a court of law that they were incapable of extricating the browser code from the OS. At least by their claim, they have lost control of the configuration. It's hard to tell whether this is perjury or non-management. However, a university group, with no access to the source, were able to demonstrate a perfectly-working copy of Windows sans IE. According to the press, the same claim was made to the EC regarding WMP. If you can think of any reason to abandon sound software engineering principles and degrade product stability and maintainability in this manner other than to stifle competition, please share it. The anti-MS guys are not the source of your "myths." Look inward.
Posted by: IT_User   Posted on: 04/21/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Microsoft is coming on REALLY strong...  Mike Cox | 04/21/04
But CompUSA refunds opened Windows?  IT_User | 04/21/04
What are YOU TALKING ABOUT?  Mike Cox | 04/21/04
I love you Mike.  DpuTiger | 04/21/04
you should be paid by ZDnet  el1jones | 04/21/04
who says he isn't?  ryusen | 04/21/04
You're absolutely right  IT_User | 04/21/04
Re: What are YOU TALKING ABOUT?  SC-man | 04/22/04
Cut him some slack!  Yen_z | 04/21/04
Well actually  IT_User | 04/21/04
Actually CompUSA gave RedHat rebates  prong@... | 04/21/04
No refunds on open software --- ROFLMAO  g_ludlow | 04/21/04
MikeCox, BikeLocks, HikeSox, WhoCares?  AtypicalZork | 04/21/04
Actually  FirstNLastN | 04/21/04
We malcontents  km4hr@... | 04/21/04
Works both ways. Isn't that amazing?  Spam-ZD | 04/21/04
Line 'em up  ynotpe@... | 04/24/04
Aww Puh-Leeez, Mike  Snippy Clippit | 04/21/04
Open software vs open sorce  billr@... | 04/21/04
9.95!!!  Jack-Booted EULA | 04/21/04
Some quotes from Microsoft....  Northwolf | 04/22/04
The perfect response  IT_User | 04/21/04
And the first innovation will be...  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
Innovation from MS???  bchesmer | 04/21/04
Not a bad thought  IT_User | 04/21/04
or...  ryusen | 04/21/04
better?  dwest_z | 04/21/04
better?  seosamh_z | 04/21/04
On which particular planet is that?  bchesmer | 04/21/04
On which particular planet is that?  seosamh_z | 04/21/04
Want data, here it is...  bchesmer | 04/21/04
Everyone wins.  chiishen | 04/21/04
Oh yeah...M$...the great innovator....like the MCP !!!  harmison | 04/21/04
Cool Movie  voska | 04/21/04
No, like open office. Buwahahahaha  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/21/04
relevence == none?  ryusen | 04/21/04
Not a real office suite  IT_User | 04/21/04
M$ the Innovator ----ROFL  drichards1953 | 04/21/04
Are you listening, antitrust regulators?  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
Actually they still have monopoly  voska | 04/21/04
Numbers used as needed...  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
problem is not the monopoly, per se  auser_that_reads | 04/21/04
I disagree with you  IT_User | 04/21/04
You haven't read  Don Bradley | 04/21/04
MS Myths...or truths?  Fred Fredrickson | 04/21/04
Fred We need to read the same text the same way  Don Bradley | 04/21/04
Playing fast and loose with "myths"  IT_User | 04/21/04
Look IT_User  Don Bradley | 04/21/04
MS shills love to believe the myth  Spam-ZD | 04/21/04
OK Spam  Don Bradley | 04/21/04
An operating system includes a browser.  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
No  IT_User | 04/21/04
So there is a law defining an operating system?  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
Response to another post  Spam-ZD | 04/21/04
True to a point...  bchesmer | 04/21/04
This is good  Spam-ZD | 04/21/04
MS doesn't agree with you - you have embellished their position!  oldskool | 04/21/04
Not bundled, integrated  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
you say tomato - MS says its not integrated in the OS  oldskool | 04/23/04
Linux has replaced Unix?  IT_User | 04/21/04
Have to change some definitions, yes.  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
Unix on Desktop  mrlinux | 04/22/04
unix on the desktop  Dr. Colossus | 04/23/04
stick to the same tense...  ryusen | 04/21/04
Potential competition...  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
java didn't exist?  ryusen | 04/21/04
And we'd stop getting our paychecks, health care, etc  IT_User | 04/21/04
Java existed, but it's not a desktop os  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
either way,  ryusen | 04/22/04
Praise Linux  voska | 04/21/04
This is Propaganda  Kamakazii | 04/21/04
If Linux gets 20% of the desktop it will be too late  Michael Kelly | 04/21/04
No, it doesn't work that way.  mvaar | 04/21/04
With 90+% of the desktop market...  B.O.F.H. | 04/21/04
care?  dwest_z | 04/21/04
M$ should care  drichards1953 | 04/21/04
Strangely I agree  Chad_z | 04/21/04
Could somebody please tell me .....  wackoae | 04/21/04
How about Clippy? ...  el1jones | 04/21/04
Hey now, don't forget inovative Microsoft Bob (NT)  JonathonDoe | 04/21/04
Clippy may have to find a new job..  drichards1953 | 04/21/04
Often wondered the same myself.  FederalistPaperBoy | 04/21/04
Umm, what do you mean?  voska | 04/21/04
Oh please  Tommy Gun | 04/21/04
Say pretty please  Spoon Jabber | 04/21/04
Right on  NemesisNL | 04/21/04
Linux will NEVER overtake Microsoft  Saxonborg | 04/21/04
Lindows?!  el1jones | 04/21/04
You need more experience.  doe_z | 04/21/04
I think the point is...  PA-ITGuy | 04/21/04
3.1 was my personal experience.  doe_z | 04/21/04
how to use a PC?  PA-ITGuy | 04/21/04
You misunderstood.  doe_z | 04/21/04
Couldn't agree more...  are-you-thinking | 04/21/04
How do I say this...  PA-ITGuy | 04/22/04
Most people today don't know how to install stuff  voska | 04/21/04
A cousin told me this...  doe_z | 04/21/04
If all you want to do is use your computer,  ITGuy04 | 04/21/04
WRONG  drichards1953 | 04/21/04
I hear your frustration...  FederalistPaperBoy | 04/21/04
I agree almost totally  IT_User | 04/21/04
Nice to hear from you!  FederalistPaperBoy | 04/21/04
True statement  Anton Philidor | 04/21/04
And Windows is straight forward???  are-you-thinking | 04/21/04
Hmmmm... Let's see here....  FederalistPaperBoy | 04/21/04
Acknowledgement...  mabricen | 04/21/04
90% Monopoly Stranglehold . . .  xero11 | 04/21/04
Time will tell its tale in this...  bchesmer | 04/21/04
What MS really means  graphic3211 | 04/21/04
Re: What MS really means  xero11 | 04/21/04
And no differnt than any other company out there  voska | 04/21/04
You're correct . . .  xero11 | 04/21/04
Linux and It's Components Does Have Flaws Check This Site TONS OF FLAWS  cancelled@... | 04/21/04
Dont worry there are windows ones too  cancelled@... | 04/21/04
Do you mean FOOL proof?  Spoon Jabber | 04/22/04
isn't that what we've been saying  Arrg | 04/21/04
what are they smoking?  +-Chris-+ | 04/21/04
I agree let's bring it on  kb0old1978 | 04/21/04
Forget competition...fix Hotmail first!!!!  esdrasf@... | 04/21/04
So in other words....  supoman | 04/21/04
MS , where is the beef?  wldrylie | 04/21/04
It doesn't matter  casbo | 04/21/04
ms thrives on competition  V Sanders | 04/21/04
Sooooo....  Spoon Jabber | 04/22/04
Sounds like a stupid skier beckoning an avalance !  mvaar | 04/21/04
Bit of a hollow threat  Spam-ZD | 04/21/04
The truest thing ever said from MicroSoft.  Outside T. Box | 04/22/04
MS, have you beat you penguin today?  FilledOut | 04/23/04

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