| Author | Topic | | AnonJr
Absent-minded Webmaster
USA
621 Posts |  Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 19:49:01 
| Actually this post isn't to slam Microsoft (I'll save that for another), I want to add my USD$0.02 (before taxes/tariffs of course) to the discussion on the fines being imposed on MS by the European Union.
It appears that they (the EU) have decided to levy more fines against Microsoft in the anti-trust ruling - to the tune of 280.5 million euro - and they've considered raising the cap on the fines they can levy for this case.
Fun stuff. I've noticed that this has been quite like one of those Rorschach tests. A coalition that (not surprisingly) consists primarily of Microsoft's biggest competitors have cheered the extra fines. Others have voiced opinions closer to my own. Ones like: quote:
Here's the worst part of the socialist attack upon Microsoft: The EU is requiring the software giant "to divulge information on Windows needed by makers of rival products." Because the company is so successful, and because its influence is in every corner of civilized society, the command-economy Europeans have determined that other companies need to have a fair shot at the same success. Or, if nothing else, Microsoft shouldn't be that successful.
This then begs the question: What's the incentive to be original if your innovation can only go so far before competitors are given equal access, via government regulation, to your creativity?
- The Liberty Precept
And: quote:
"All American companies doing business in Europe should be concerned," Jim Prendergast, the executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership, said in a statement. "This development makes clear that successful American companies will face a higher regulatory standard in Europe and that their entire global business strategy may be hostage to the whims of a few European regulators."
- Americans for Technology Leadership
Though, for the record the first quote has already received the following reply: quote:
With regards to your comment on this action being "socialist" I would like to point out that the MAJORITY of representatives in the European Parliament are members of the Conservative group. As for the action itself it is hardly typical of socialism to want better terms for competition? You are just a typical ignorant American talking about "Europe" as if it was a monoculture [sic].
- Anonymous
I find it interesting that where competition used to be driven by innovation and new features, we now find whining and lawsuits. I'm heartened by the new scuffle between Mozilla's Fire Fox web browser and Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Instead of the Mozilla Corp. complaining that Microsoft's bundling of IE unfairly hurt them they just built a better browser - what a concept. Too bad RealNetworks and the other major players in the EU fiasco didn't get the hint.
Anyway, more after your comments.  |
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
- Will Rogers |
| AXEMAN2415
Guitar Weenie
USA
740 Posts | Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 14:38:25
| | Well, Anon, everybody knows that competition is bad. I mean, when we cannot keep score at a child's soccer game, you know that competition is on it's last legs... |
"C'mon Dave, Gimme a break!" |  |
| AnonJr
Absent-minded Webmaster
USA
621 Posts | Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 18:45:18
| Well, I bring this up for two reasons.
1) I'm a computer guy, and most of what I read is industry news.
2) I find certain points of view rather reveling, and I think they bring up a deeper question.
For instance: I have read a lot of people say that since Microsoft has the money it doesn't really matter. Like somehow because the fine is relatively insignificant in light of their gross income the question of whether its right or not is somehow irrelevant. Is that really a good stance to hold?
That "relatively insignificant" amount is going to cause MS to either cut a job or two or close some of their open positions before they get filled (or both) - Now there are people loosing (or potentially not getting) a job as a result. I think we can count this as a reasonable conclusion since Microsoft does have to answer to their stock holders. A point to ponder.
The other big answer I hear is that "they deserve it" (with the sometimes appended "because their evil/greedy/[fill in here]"). While I'm certainly not saying that they are by any stretch of the imagination as pure as the wind-driven snow, I'm not sure I can sit comfortably with the "they deserve it" camp.
When the aspects in contention were first released, they sucked. Big time. And nobody used them - even though they were bundled into Windows. Fast-forward 10 versions and they have a better product. Its not perfect, but the competition isn't giving us any compelling reason to switch. Tell me how that's Microsoft's fault? Are they evil for building a better mouse trap?
Enough ranting for now.... |
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
- Will Rogers | |
| AnonJr
Absent-minded Webmaster
USA
621 Posts | Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 21:41:08
| Interesting update:
MS asked the EU to provide a clear and simple list of what they can/can't add to Vista to make sure they don't violate anything.
The reply, "Just play by the rules"
Thanks for being clear.... |
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
- Will Rogers | |
| | | Topic | |
 |
Media
