Posted on 11/01/2002 12:58:16 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
That in itself is a good-enough reason for him not to have gotten married.
A federal judge handed Microsoft Corp. an enormous victory by endorsing nearly all of its antitrust settlement with the Justice Department and rejecting harsher penalties sought by nine states.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly warned company founder Bill Gates and other Microsoft executives, however, that she would hold them individually responsible for complying with her instructions.
The nine dissenting states, joined by the District of Columbia, had argued that tougher sanctions were needed to restore competition in the computer industry. But the judge said penalties they sought would chiefly benefit the company's rivals.
Kollar-Kotelly made a few minor changes to the settlement that requires acceptance by Microsoft and the Justice Department, which sued the software giant 4 1/2 years ago when Democrats held the White House and economic times were rosier.
Appeals by the dissenting states were considered likely, although state officials said they were still studying their options. "We've got plenty of fight," Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said. "We haven't lost it at all. We need to talk to our colleagues, analyze it more and make a decision."
The original trial judge in the case ordered the world's largest software company split in two, touching off two years of wrangling. Friday's result was far more favorable to Microsoft.
Gates said he was "personally committed" to abide by the agreement, which he called "a good compromise and good settlement." He said Microsoft was unlikely to challenge the decision.
"This settlement puts new responsibilities on Microsoft, and we accept them," Gates said, adding: "At this point, we're not seeing anything that would be cause for appeal, but we need to make a full assessment."
His corporate partner, chief executive Steve Ballmer, struck a conciliatory tone toward Microsoft's behavior toward rivals. He said the company has "learned and grown through the experience of the last four years. We are committed to moving forward as a responsible leader in an industry that is constantly, constantly changing."
Attorney General John Ashcroft called the decision "a major victory for consumers and businesses." Although the decision gives consumers more choices, Microsoft's competitors consider those choices meager.
One executive whose company's Web browser competes with Microsoft's dominant Internet Explorer said the ruling seals a toothless settlement. "There were no real remedies, no actual punishment. I'm not too surprised," said Jon F. Von Tetzchner of Opera Software. The ruling allows Microsoft rivals more flexibility to offer competing software features on computers running Windows.
Microsoft has already enacted terms of the settlement, and now allows users of its latest Windows versions to replace some built-in features, such as instant-messaging or music players, with those from competitors.
While rejecting the states' arguments, the judge acknowledged that Microsoft has a "frustrating" tendency not to admit to its illegal corporate conduct.
"Let it not be said of Microsoft that 'a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise,' for the court will exercise its full panoply of powers to ensure that the letter and spirit of the remedial decree is carried out," the judge wrote, quoting Renaissance philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli.
"The importance of this settlement is sending a message to the Microsoft board of directors that it will be held accountable at the highest levels of the corporation," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
Microsoft and the government had argued that the settlement they secretly crafted one year ago was sufficient. The agreement, which would last at least five years:
-Prevents Microsoft from participating in exclusive deals that could hurt competitors;
-Requires uniform contract terms for computer manufacturers;
-Allows manufacturers and customers to remove icons for some Microsoft features;
-Requires Microsoft to release some technical information so software developers can write programs for Windows that work as well as Microsoft's own products do.
Microsoft's extraordinary impact on everyday life is hard to understate: Its lucrative Windows and Office products are essential tools for businesses and government and an important foundation for the technology sector.
The company's market value of $287.6 billion exceeds the gross domestic product of at least 150 nations, including Saudi Arabia and Argentina. Its stock is among the most widely held by investors, especially among mutual funds and retirement accounts.
Microsoft Internet properties, including its Hotmail e-mail service, are among the world's most popular Web sites, drawing tens of millions of users each month. Increasingly, Microsoft has sought to push into new markets, such as videogame consoles, handheld and tablet computers and cellular phones.
Consider all of the budgetary difficulties some of these states are currently experiencing, and they're willing to gamble what they (the people) don't have against Microsoft? Who/what is Microsoft in their eyes? How do the people feel about it?
What are you talking about? I bought Compaq servers between 98-2000 and had the option of purchasing any OS I wanted, as well as purchasing no OS at all. I quit using Compaqs when they just couldn't match the specs for the same price as Dell. I also had choice in OS on the Dells I've purchased since. Maybe I don't get copies of each of the OSes delivered, but I can get the OS I want.
You aren't really talking about dual boot here, but a multi-install option where you pick the OS you want to install the first time you boot the machine. Dual boot means that you can switch between operating systems at any time with a reboot. What a worthless option for a server!
ABM = "Anything But Microsoft"
NBM = "Nothing But Microsoft"
Hope you enjoy the tech threads as much as we do.
Wrong. Just flat wrong. The Compaq boxes I sold ran MS, IBM OS/2, SCO Unix or Novell Netware. The change came due to Microsoft's illegal (see the 1995 consent decree) licensing changes that forced Compaq to either run only MS or pay a 300% markup on Windows.
I also bet that you were quite happy with Compaq' relationship with MS while it benefited you.
I don't know of anyone that is happy with extortion.
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