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States Drop Planned Presentation of Modular Windows

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the infinite-delay dept.

sketchkid writes "CNBC just reported that the nine states have dropped their planned presentation of a version of Windows XP without certain "middleware". Apparently, Microsoft said the news of this presentation blindsided them and that they would need "an indefinite period of time to prepare its response", but the states don't want to prolong the case any more."

9 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. Huh?!? by ablair · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Isn't demonstrating a modular Windows key to the States' case showing it can be done? Maybe they had problems with their version and didn't want to shoot themselves in the foot...

  2. Hilarious by tapin · · Score: 4, Interesting
    This is actually great news, and I'd be surprised if it's not what they were expecting to do all along (of course, they'd never admit to it).

    Think of it from the States' point of view: "Yeah, we've got a version of the OS running modularly, but you didn't want us to show it. So no, you can't see how we did it. But you'd better get cracking."

    In addition, they don't actually have to demonstrate its stability and all that -- it's just taken at face value that it's stable enough, since that's how it was presented when it was introduced.

    This is great. Looks like a win-win scenario for the States.

  3. Not that surprising.... by Kenja · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Not that surprising really. Having used Embedded NT in the past I was more then a little confused as to what they where going to demonstrate. Sure, embedded windows is modular during the rollout phase. However once installed it cant be changed. In other words you cant install Word onto it once its up and running. In this respect it is not a good example of what the DOJ is after MS to produce, a modular end user OS.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:Not that surprising.... by rhizome · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Why do people keep getting stuck on shortsighted speculation on what the demo would actually comprise? The point is not that "Embedded NT" should become the retail version of Windows, the point is that the modularity is possible. Microsoft has gone to great lengths to stipulate that it is infinitely impossible to cut the interdependencies in Windows (9x, 2k, XP), which is apparently not the case since they've already gone ahead and constructed an industrial version of this very idea. Perhaps the states realize that it wouldn't be as pretty as they'd like it to be, but it's certainly conceivable that the ability to install software - to take one missing feature - could be added to the existing modular codebase. And yes, applications might require rewrites, but it's nobody's contention that the changeover would be happening tomorrow.

      --
      When I was a kid, we only had one Darth.
  4. Load of Crap. by Picass0 · · Score: 4, Interesting


    The states had MS nailed on the modularity issue. They should push on. I smell some campaign funds being spread around.

    It's MS's product. How long can it take for MS to study an MS product and work up a defense?

    This isn't even as fun as the Wookie defense.

  5. Re:Microsoft on Slashdot by daeley · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Not me. I like 'em. :)

    If you're not into it anymore, why not go to your preferences and turn off stories from the Microsoft topic?

    --
    I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
  6. Good tactic from states by aralin · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Basicly they said, we have an expert who can do it, but we won't show him. Now they got in CKK's mind that its possible, but never gave M$ a chance to rebute it by withdrawing for pretty sane reasons. I think they scored big time with this trick. Especially since the blend of Embeded WinXP and WinXP , which is what it most likely is, would not work all that well and they can expect it.

    You need to think a little bit more like lawyer to see how they can score points in the trial.

    --
    If programs would be read like poetry, most programmers would be Vogons.
  7. Re:Modular Windows == Fragmentation by rseuhs · · Score: 4, Interesting
    "Don't tell me it's not a necessity, because it IS."

    If it's necessary, why did Microsoft sign the consent degree NOT TO bundle IE in the first place?

    No MS-apologist could answer that question so far....

  8. Re:A cautionary tale by Chris+Canfield · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Unsatisfied intellect begets zealotry when years beget nothing. Microsoft's proven abuse patterns and their enviable ability to outspend the consumer protection arm of the government has begotten a bit of lighthearted humor.

    Perhaps the dear reader of the twice-above post will realize that neither moral justice nor the public's economic interest is best served when justice hinges upon the ability to pay. Or perhaps they will just walk away having recieved the message that "Microsoft is evil." I have no moral qualms about putting that message into people's heads, as Microsoft's behavior record should be what people use in deciding the value to society of a corporation. If and when they finally prove me wrong, I promise to recant. However, with the actions WRT Opera, Dr. Dos, Samba, security through obscurity, planned obselescence and obfuscation of the Word file format, and the proposed school computer settlement, I might as well promise to move to Tibet upon a semblance of a genuine corporate philanthropy.

    --
    This Sig is a mnemonic device designed to allow you to recognize this author in the future.