Martin Ling wrote:
>
> On Sat, Apr 29, 2000 at 09:11:48AM +0000, E. Shaun Russell wrote:
> >
> > As one who deeply respects Gates and Microsoft, I want MS to resume as it
> > has for the last decade: innovative, growing and successful; working within
> > a system which has none of those facets makes it hard for me to see how it
> > can be done.
>
> I strongly advise you to read Judge Jackson's original Findings of Fact
> in the Microsoft case, at:
>
> http://usvms.gpo.gov/ms-conclusions.html
>
> Microsoft's practices have sought to establish and maintain a monopoly
> in the operating system field. They have then used the leverage this has
> given them to establish strongholds in other areas. In all of these,
> they have ignored standards compliance, acted uncompetetively to the
> point of illegality and in general been directly in the way of free and
> open control of technological development - something I know people on
> this list support.
I've read Judge Jackson's decision. Despite everything that has been
done by Microsoft, they failed the one crucial test: the government
could not demonstrate, in a quantifiable manner, that they consumer was
harmed in any way. The anti-trust laws are not there to protect the
competition, they are there to protect the consumer from paying more
than a fair market would cause them to pay. There was the vague claim
that people pay 50% more for a windows OS than they should, but no proof
or explaination as to how that conclusion was reached, and in spite of
the evidence showing that the only other potentially comparable OS that
is cheaper is actually a 'free' OS that typically costs you $50 on a CD
(windows typically costs about $89.00 on CD-ROM). Judge Jackson's
decision is a vague and meandering decision, that is empty of detail or
specificity. I have little doubt that the decision will get tossed on
appeal.
What people on this list support is respect for the property rights of
the individual, the right of private enterprise to conduct its business
free of government interference, and the right to make a profit. We
don't support your right to control my product development.
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