On 21 Dec 2005, at 8:28 am, Max Battcher wrote:
I play Microsoft's advocate from time to time, because as evil as
people think they are they are more often just misunderstood, IMNSHO.
However evil people think Microsoft is it is actually more evil than
that :)
People seem to anthropomorphized Microsoft into the demi-God of
computer problems.
Dan Minette wrote:
What percentage of the operating systems business does Microsoft
have?
Isn't it close to 95%?
Last time I saw anything: 75-80% total, 50% or less of the Server
market, 50% or less of the "nerd" market.
Whatever the peak was it's certainly in decline now.
Quick question: how many OSes would you like to know how to use
every day?
Microsoft gives away features that are the main source of income
for other
companies (i.e. Microsoft Explorer vs. Netscape).
This is much more of a Vertical Monopoly problem than a Monopoly
problem. Our Anti-Trust Laws do not affect Vertical Monopolies,
otherwise Sony, Viacom, Times Warner and others should be facing court
battles.
Every feature that Microsoft has "given away" for free has been things
that should be included in an Operating System. Do you want to be
*required* to pay a third party to listen to music? Do you want to be
*required* to pay a third party to use something as integral to the
network experience as a web browser? Do you want to be *required* to
pay a third party to use something as integral to the health of your
PC as an anti-virus program?
Microsoft does it and over-rich third parties whine about Monopolistic
tendencies. Apple does it (iTunes, iPhoto, i*, Final Cut *, ...) and
people hail it as the second coming! Linux does it every day, and has
done it since the beginning... Why is Microsoft the exception to the
rule?
Because Microsoft was found guilty in a court of law of abusing its
monopoly and is therefore subject to different rules (as a convicted
monopoly abuser) than Apple or Linux (which are not convicted
monopoly abusers) as part of the mandated remedy for that abuse.
That's why.
Just like someone on probation isn't allowed to do all the same
things as their neighbour who isn't on probation.
--
William T Goodall
Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk
Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/
A computer without a Microsoft operating system is like a dog without
bricks tied to its head.
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