U.S. defends Microsoft remedy at international meet

TalkBack 16 of 50:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

It is time to LEAVE MICROSOFT ALONE!

.
"..."(The) remedy was well-crafted and has been successful," said Barnett (Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust) in an appearance at an international antitrust conference at Fordham Law School..." (1)

Success! Thank goodness the DOJ is there to prevent Microsoft from abusing its monopoly and running away with control over the computer software industry.

Microsoft sales:

1995: $5.9 BILLION
1996: $8.7 BILLION
1997: $11.4 BILLION
1998: $14.5 BILLION
1999: $19.8 BILLION
2000: $23.0 BILLION
2001: $25.3 BILLION
2002: $28.4 BILLION <<< ANTI-TRUST SETTLEMENT SOLVED THE PROBLEM
2003: $32.2 BILLION
2004: $36.8 BILLION
2005: $39.8 BILLION
2006: $44.3 BILLION
2007: $51.1 BILLION



"...Europe's second-highest court affirmed last week a 2004 European Commission ruling that Microsoft abused its overwhelming market position to crush competitors. The court also upheld a 497 million-euro ($708 million) fine..." (1)

How many times must Microsoft be punished for the same mistake? Microsoft has been punished severely and paid dearly for its mistake made back in the 1990s. It's time to leave Microsoft alone.



"..."Consider that markets change in ways that could not be predicted. Many formerly big powerful firms are struggling," he (Barnett) said..." (1)

Barnett (DOJ assistant attorney general for antitrust) is absolutely correct. All of these firms (below) are struggling or dead. Markets DO change in unpredictable ways. And, Microsoft's monopoly abuse had NOTHING to do with it.

Netscape Communications Corp.
Novell Corp.
Borland Corp.
Lotus Corp.
WordPerfect Corp.
Real Corp.
Visio Corp.
LANtastic Corp.
Citrix Corp.
Aldus Corp.



"...Under the settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, Microsoft was required to create a Microsoft Communications Protocol Program. The program is designed to give other software companies access to protocols that allow servers running non-Microsoft software to operate with the Windows desktop operating system. The state attorneys general argue that this has not happened. This portion of the agreement is to expire in 2009, and the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has said it is premature to extend it further..." (1)

Everyone should take a deep breath. Microsoft does not REALLY mean to drag its feet on establishing the Microsoft Communications Protocol Program. It takes TIME to document all of those undocumented interfaces that gave Microsoft such an advantage over competitors in the marketplace. Microsoft is truly sorry that the delay has caused further harm to its competitors.

For example, in September 2007, Microsoft and Novell announced their joint interoperability lab in Cambridge, MASS. At the lab, a team of programmers will work to make the two companies' products work better together (2). The sprawling 2,500 square foot lab required special building permits and an eminent domain lawsuit in order to acquire the massive plot of land required for the facility. "The Lab" will be home to a team of the best and brightest Microsoft and Novell engineers focused on making Windows Server and Suse Linux Enterprise from Novell work well together.

Microsoft's is very generously contributing 4 of its best engineers to staff the lab. This is 0.005% (0.00005) of Microsoft's 79,000 employees.

You SEE! All of you Microsoft bashers should be ashamed of yourselves. Microsoft is honestly working extremely hard to solve the problems caused by its past abuse of its monopoly power.



"...The state attorneys general argue that this has not happened. This portion of the agreement is to expire in 2009, and the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has said it is premature to extend it further..."

Microsoft has worked very hard to provide competitors with all of the help and information they need to compete successfully in the marketplace. For example, in August 2006, very early in the development of Microsoft's Vista operating system, Microsoft invited 4 Mozilla engineers to come to Microsoft's "Windows Vista Readiness ISV Lab" in Redmond, WA to attend a 4-day event (3).

Microsoft's detractors unfairly blame Microsoft for software applications not being able to run on Vista. What more can Microsoft do? Microsoft provides detailed and comprehensive technical information to competitors early and often. Is it Microsoft's fault that all of its competitors are incompetent and/or lazy? You can bring a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.



The Final Word

It personally saddens me that so many people cannot see the truth and goodness in Microsoft. The company, and all of its executives and employees, are dedicated to being good citizens, competing fairly, and serving customers well.

I think I'm going to go to my room and be alone for a while...

Posted by: TechExec2   Posted on: 09/29/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Virtualization: Architectural Considerations And Other Evaluation Criteria VMware Of the many approaches to x86 systems virtualization available in the ... Download Now
• Three Steps You Need to Know to Stop Data Loss Varonis Sensitive data exposed to misuse or loss... it is the stuff of nightmares ... Download Now
• Open Standards Technologies Provide the Ingredients for Delivering Security Across the Papa Gino's Enterprise Dell Papa Gino's Holdings Corporation founded by the entrepreneur operates one ... Download Now