RE: No Microsoft Breakup

[Jim Damato <jdamato@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Chris Rehm:
>Which is exactly the point. The browser is an interface accessing remote
>machines. When the browser was invented, it created a threat to the Windows
>monopoly. But because Netscape couldn't bundle they could not stop
Microsoft
>from stealing this market from them.

The browser WAS an interface accessing remote machines.

As the technology evolved browsers became interfaces for more than just
remote web/text/graphics content.  It became clear that this would become
the presentation for local or remote applications.  I think that Microsoft
understood that browsing was going to become the interface of choice and
that it would be a good idea to migrate the Windows desktop to that format.
The browser is becoming infrastructure, not an application.  If all
Microsoft did was pre-install IE with Windows I think that there would be
legitimate grounds for an antitrust suit.  What they really did was make it
a part of the desktop and the OS, or establish that as a technical
direction.


>Thus allowing the monopoly power over
>the OS market to be used to crush innovation. Once the browser threat is
>under control, use the control of the browser market to further destroy
>threats, like say, eliminating non-Microsoft technologies.

Wait a few days to calm down, have a beer, and reread this one.  Such drama.

In this case I really think that Microsoft was establishing an intelligent
technical direction, not explicitly trying to wipe out a competitive
product.  That it was bound to crush Netscape was just gravy.  If OS/400
V6R1 introduces the ability to save spooled files to tape and track those
save entries to an archive should Broderick Data Systems sue?  If SEU in
V5R3 comes with built in source/program/object cross referencing should
Hawkeye crawl out from under their crushed innovation and call in a District
Attorney?

It's funny that as we whine on these forums over the projected demise of the
AS/400, our favorite integrated system, we're all too willing to condemn
Microsoft's integration attempts.  It may take a decade or more, but if
things go the way they have been I predict that Microsoft will cripple
Oracle by integrating SQL Server with the operating system.  Maybe we should
start a suit against IBM.  Those evil bastards have bundled their database
software with OS/400 and won't provide Oracle, Microsoft, or Sybase with API
documentation so they can write a competitive product.


-Jim

James P. Damato
Manager - Technical Administration
Dollar General Corporation
<mailto:jdamato@dollargeneral.com>