IBM, Microsoft plot Net takeover

ZDNet ^ | April 11, 2002 | David Berlind

[rdb3]

I have a question. Whether it's MS or Big Blue, or maybe both, how can this be a good thing?

[A Navy Vet]

Someone please explain to me how they can get in between my computer and the server I'm using for access to other private servers?

[rdb3]

Ultimately, that won't matter. These protocols are where the money is hidden.

[rdb3]

I'm sorry. I didn't finish. The money is hidden here if MS and IBM so chose to actually charge for them. Let's just hope they don't.

[PatrioticAmerican]

You forgot to put this in the Humor forum.

[PatrioticAmerican]

They can't, so don't worry about it. This is just more anti-Microsoft propaganda.

[ThinkDifferent]

It's not a good thing, but I'm not too worried. I seriously doubt anybody will adopt a "standard" that forces them to pay a license fee every time they send or receive data. Look at the huge opposition to the MPEG-4 group's plans to charge per-hour for streaming video.

[rdb3]

They can't, so don't worry about it. This is just more anti-Microsoft propaganda.

You talk about hubris! This is MS AND IBM. Yet you only say "anti-Microsoft propaganda." This is the reason why the word "shill" is thrown around. You offered no explanation to back up your claim, then totally ignored the other company mentioned.

Wow.

I'm not overly concerned with it, but this did come from a tech site. Therefore, it didn't warrant a posting in the "humor forum."

[A Navy Vet]

"These protocols are where the money is hidden."

Why would the entire Internet change protocols that have worked so well and have to pay money to do it? Besides, if you think MS had anti-trust problems with their browser bundling practices, just think of the lawsuits that would tie them up for years concerning this.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"You offered no explanation to back up your claim,"

Sorry, but the article is supposed to backup its own ridiculous claims. Do you really believe anything that is anti-MS?

[jimtorr]

.....and another legend is born. Sheeesh, if IBM and MS or anybody elso tried charging a per-use fee for a "standard" protocol, they would only be gaurunteeing that the standard would quickly change. The only real reason http etc. is a standard is that everybody aggrees to use it. Make http inconvenient or expensive, and I'll use some other protocol. There are several others to do the same thing, after all. It would be inconvenient only for a short time.

[B Knotts]

Well, I'd be worried, if I actually saw much use for these protocols. So far, the whole web services thing seems to me to be mostly hype.

[Cicero]

It's very unlikely. Most of us internet users have proven ourselves extremely resistant to paying for our habit. From time to time people figure out ways to make money off the net, but when their customers find they can get the equivalent for free, that bursts their profit bubble. The major exception to the rule is AOL. But AOL users are not widely famed for technical prowess or intellectual acumen.

[rdb3]

It's very unlikely. Most of us internet users have proven ourselves extremely resistant to paying for our habit.

This is true. But it does cause concern if they're thinking about it.

[rdb3]

Do you really believe anything that is anti-MS?

That doesn't sound right. If you substitute the word "everything" for your "anything," then that would make sense. And if this was what you were getting at, the answer is no. I recognize MS hit pieces simply for the sake of bashing MS. But this article didn't do that.

You claimed that it was "propaganda." You have anything that can be documented that says otherwise? Or do you believe everything is good about MS?

Quickly! Make up your mind.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Innocent unless proven guilty, not guilty because they are Microsoft. The article gave no facts that substantiate MS taking over the Internet. Next, I guess we'll hear, "Microsoft Patents Air! World to Suffocate!"

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The major exception to the rule is AOL. But AOL users are not widely famed for technical prowess or intellectual acumen.

Well they all probably do shop carefully and alternatives are appearing . On the Kudlow & Cramer CNBC show last night they were discussing how long before AOL follows the rest of the companies into Internet.com heaven.

Didn't catch all of it but I think in the NY area someone is offering a very similiar service for 14.95 monthly and is having explosive growth!

[TechJunkYard]

.. it does cause concern if they're thinking about it.

Two words: license fees. Goes down better with the consumers than "royalties".

[eddie willers]

So far, the whole web services thing seems to me to be mostly hype.

Bingo!
Mostly sound and fury so far.
If IBM and MS can come up with something that makes me want to part with my money....
more power to them.

[RightOnline]

OK, well................I'll call total B.S. on this Chicken Little story (NOT flaming you, the poster, rdb3; it's an interesting post).

I have just a little, tiny bit of knowledge of such things and I'll tell you that this article is nothing more than a writer needing a piece to submit by a certain deadline (I'm giving the writer the benefit of a doubt) rather than a true "heads up".

Not to worry.