Microsoft - Final Judgement

Slash Dot ^ | 11/1/02

[meyer]

Bump for reading later...

Much later....
:^)

[shadowman99]

By disclosing the working of APIs it becomes easier for other operating systems to interoperate on a network with windows via protocols such as SMB. This also makes it easier for software vendors to figure out why windows service packs spontaniously break software from a 3rd party vendor. If Microsoft extends a standard protocol, the rest of the computer world isn't shut out without a clue.

Also by disclosing the fuction of APIs it becomes posible to write an alternative (perhaps better) API that is not windows-centric. This is good if you are a programmer who wants to compile software for multiple platforms.

[B Knotts]

You suggested that the leftists were after him, implying that he is not himself a leftist.

[bobwoodard]

The problem is that decree give MS a huge out with regards to APIs:

J. No provision of this Final Judgment shall:
...
2. Prevent Microsoft from conditioning any license of any API, Documentation or Communications Protocol related to anti-piracy systems, anti-virus technologies, license enforcement mechanisms, authentication/authorization security, or third party intellectual property protection mechanisms of any Microsoft product to any person or entity on the requirement that the licensee:

• (a) has no history of software counterfeiting or piracy or willful violation of intellectual property rights,
• (b) has a reasonable business need for the API, Documentation or Communications Protocol for a planned or shipping product,
• (c) meets reasonable, objective standards established by Microsoft for certifying the authenticity and viability of its business,
• (d) agrees to submit, at its own expense,any computer program using such APIs, Documentation or Communication Protocols to third-party verification, approved by Microsoft, to test for and ensure verification and compliance with Microsoft specifications for use of the API or interface, which specifications shall be related to proper operation and integrity of the systems and mechanisms identified in this paragraph.

I just can't imagine MS agreeing that (a) and (b) would allow Open Source development to take place. Who's going to pass (c) and how many Open Source projects are going to work with (d)?

[danneskjold]

I don't get it. What am I missing?

Bill Gates is not an elected official. He is a private citizen that runs one of, if not the most, successful companies in the country. If he chooses to give some of his own money to organizations that I disagree with, so what? Some members of my own family do that. Does that make them evil as well?

[oc-flyfish]

I think you will find that most people are "for" Microsoft not necessarily "for" Bill Gates. Microsoft as with any corporation is more than one person. Granted Bill is very influential as the founder but you find the same situation at lots of other companies as well.

[danneskjold]

You suggested that the leftists were after him, implying that he is not himself a leftist.

Are you implying that the leftists would never eat their own?

[hchutch]

My major beefs with this case were twofold:

1. It seemed more like a combination of a quid pro quo with the Microsoft competitors who made major donations to the DNC and a shakedown of Gates, who wasn't making donations to the DNC.

2. There were far more pressing matters. Clinton and his folks seemed to spend more time chasing after Bill Gates over minor technical violations of dated anti-trust laws than they did in going after Osama bin Laden.

It was a totally screwed-up sense of priorities.

[oc-flyfish]

It was a totally screwed-up sense of priorities.

Didn't you know that in the DNC handbook fundraising is higher priority than national security?

[B Knotts]

Well, I wouldn't go out of my way to help them.

[TechJunkYard]

Bill Gates is indeed a flaming leftist. But somehow, that doesn't matter.

Nope. As long as the stock price keeps going up, people overlook things. See Enron, Worldcom, etc...

[Incorrigible]

Time to start the purge of Silicon Valley.

Off with their heads!

[danneskjold]

Well, I wouldn't go out of my way to help them.

So you're saying that every penny you spend is going to an individual or organization whose moral and political beliefs you agree with 100%?

Please...

[rdb3]

First, you are arguing from a blatantly dishonest perspective. Tell me, when did I say or infer that either Bill Gates or your family members are/were "evil?" Just where did I say that?

Second, Jesse Jackson is also a private citizen and not an elected official. But if I were to defend him...

No mercy.

[meyer]

The one thing I can discern from that picture is that Clinton looks like he's on drugs while Gates doesn't. Gates does, however, have a rather stupid-looking grin on his face.

[hchutch]

*gasps in shock*

Oh, how could I have forgotten!

[B Knotts]

To the degree feasible, I try to do business with people who do not have an agenda to destroy my way of life.

Microsoft is definitely among those who have such an agenda, pushing abortion and gun control.

[Ardence]

Well, it's not really anything new then.

[danneskjold]

First, you are arguing from a blatantly dishonest perspective. Tell me, when did I say or infer that either Bill Gates or your family members are/were "evil?" Just where did I say that?

Ok, fine. What exactly then do you mean by leftist? And is the implication that since he is a leftist, we shouldn't buy MicroSoft products?

Second, Jesse Jackson is also a private citizen and not an elected official. But if I were to defend him...

It depends on what you are defending him of.

[oc-flyfish]

Microsoft is definitely among those who have such an agenda, pushing abortion and gun control.

Are you referring to the Gates Foundation or something else?