Slashdot Mirror


Microsoft, DoJ Reach Tentative Settlement

JeffMagnus writes: "MSNBC is reporting that the tentative settlement between Microsoft and the DoJ calls for a five-year consent decree between the government and Microsoft governing the company's conduct. A three person panel of independent experts will be created to review the companys' future activity." The New York Times appears to be the original source for the settlement stories; there's also an AP article.

10 of 595 comments (clear)

  1. ...and in other news... by vsync64 · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...all the "sign out" buttons on Hotmail have just transformed into XP-looking ".net sign out" buttons.

    --
    TO BUY A NEW CAR WOULD MAKE YOU SEXUALLY ATTRACTIVE.
  2. Re:What is the sound of one hand slapping? by Darth_Burrito · · Score: 2, Funny

    The sound of the worm wriggling off the hook and into millions of Outlook clients.

  3. DOJ solution: Half the OS at twice the price! by Alsee · · Score: 2, Funny

    You just gotta love the settlement terms!

    Letting Microsoft add new features into its flagship Windows software, but requiring the company also to offer a version that doesn't include those additions.

    Microsoft can do anything it wants, as long as it also offers a lobotimized version too...

    Banning restrictive contracts that would force computer makers to buy versions of Windows with new features...
    Microsoft can't force people to buy the version they want to push...
    but allowing financial incentives such as discounts to make those versions more enticing.
    but the lobotimized version can cost twice the price!

    Oh yeah, I almost forgot the part that actually does something:
    Forcing Microsoft to reveal parts of its Windows blueprints relating to its Internet browser software

    A yup... that'll fix 'em it will! No more worries about dirty tricks from Microsoft, yeehaw!

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  4. Re:Besides by weave · · Score: 5, Funny
    I wonder how much of that billion went to fund those stupid codernaught commercials. My god were they bad.

    Now the current commercial where a room full of mainframes are replaced by a single box running Linux by IBM, now that is good.

  5. Cynicism by jbrians · · Score: 3, Funny

    Man you guys are cynical. Isn't it possible that the feds and states will make sure to put real, competent, neutral people on this advisory panel? If so, they will be able to see to it that the spirit of the sanctions are carried out, so that simply "changing the wording" won't be enough to get MS by anymore.
    -Brian

    --
    "Faith strikes me as intellectual laziness." -Robert A. Heinlen
    1. Re:Cynicism by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 3, Funny

      Man you guys are cynical. Isn't it possible that the feds and states will make sure to put real, competent, neutral people on this advisory panel? If so, they will be able to see to it that the spirit of the sanctions are carried out, so that simply "changing the wording" won't be enough to get MS by anymore.
      -Brian


      you know what, your right. they will put neutral people on that pannel. just like they did for the warren commision. nice and neutral...yep.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
  6. What do you mean...? by rant-mode-on · · Score: 2, Funny


    What do you mean, Bush is backing down on Microsoft? Don't you watch the TV? He's been on almost everyday saying how he's going to get rid of the evil-do-ers.

  7. Re:Shameful by jejones · · Score: 4, Funny
    "Microsoft officials also have warned they wouldn't accept any broad prohibitions against bundling new features into Windows."

    Gee...if I'm ever found guilty of a crime, will I get to tell the court what penalties I find unacceptable?

    You're right. "Putrid" doesn't even begin to describe it.

  8. Re:Three people? by liquidsin · · Score: 2, Funny

    They better get some help. It's the little things people miss that gets me. Who's gonna help them?

    The entire member base of slashdot would fit this role nicely, since no single thing that Microsoft does, no matter how small, meaningless, and insignifigant, escapes us.

    --
    do not read this line twice.
  9. Re:An idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    so you're the ones responsible for William Shatner?!?!?!??!

    You BASTARDS!!!