[Sthitch]

This simply shows that Microsoft did not and does not have the monopoly that the chattering class claims they had. If Massachusetts can shakeup the computer industry by making what amounts to a consumer decision not a statutory or legal one this should prove there monopolistic contention null and void.

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

They do have a monopoly. They've squashed many other operating systems and software packages through packaging/bundling but also...

Like intel does with dell. Sweetheart deals.

I don't entirely blame them for this..... but if you're gonna push out other competitors through these means at least make sure you've got the best product.

[N3WBI3]

f Massachusetts can shakeup the computer industry by making what amounts to a consumer decision not a statutory or legal one this should prove there monopolistic contention null and void.

If one state switching their desktop shakes up the whole industry as this has, it shows there exist a monopoly (otherwise this would not be a story). Could you imagine a major shake up if MA decided to change the standards color of their state fleet vehicles?

[Still Thinking]

This simply shows that Microsoft did not and does not have the monopoly that the chattering class claims they had. If Massachusetts can shakeup the computer industry by making what amounts to a consumer decision not a statutory or legal one this should prove there monopolistic contention null and void.

I strongly disagree with your reasoning. I'm not even taking a position on whether MS is a monopoly or not. But it's far more newsworthy if a good sized customer decides to quit buying a product sold by a monopoly than it would be if the market were divided more diversely. For example, if the state of Taxachusetts decided to drop Staples as an office supplies vendor in favor of Costco, would any of us care? No.