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Annual Cost of Microsoft Monopoly: $10 Billion
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft's deals with major PC vendors lock users out from alternative options, such as Linux. A recent whitepaper calculates that the cost to industry of this Microsoft monopoly is $10 billion per year."
But this is what, $42.00 in American currency? ;)
NMG
Did you just say ass hack?
A computer makes it possible to do, in half an hour, tasks which were completely unnecessary to do before.
Does it really seem ridiculous that 10 of that might be from their monopoly? It seems sensible to me.
I think you need some lessons in logic. You're assuming that that 10 billion will disappear were MS not a monopoly? That's even assuming that MS is a monopoly whereas Linux proves it isn't.
Even a leftist college prof can understand the following: Learn the facts, Jack - 1. You can buy any s/w you like. 2. Nobody forces you or anyone else to buy MSC products, Sun products, or Mac products. 3. If you *think* that you are being forced to buy a particular product, and don't like it, then don't buy it. Go do something more productive with your life. You have that choice. 4. The only way a monopoly can exist is by the force of gov't. Remember Ma Bell, or are you too young, pompous and insular to learn the lessons of history? 5. Only gov't can use force. Many of you wish that gov't agents descend upon MSC, and destroy their market share. 6. Remember - gov't will eventually use armed force to make you comply with the law. That means that eventually, armed gov't agents will attack you if you fail to comply. If you suddenly got good at what you do, and everyone wanted your product over all others, how would you like to wake up to the barrel of a gun? 7. Market forces allowed MSC to succeed where others wimped out. In other words, we (as a group) gave MSC more money than any other, all with our own free will. That is what made MSC dominate. 8. The wimps who could not produce a product that we all wanted (Sun, etc), now want to use the courts and the force of gov't to take away market share from MSC. 9. The wimps that bought MSC products and who now have regrets about their own purchasing judgment also want to use the force of gov't to damage MSC. 10. Sure, I cuss MSC products everyday. I also cuss my Japanese car, and my cell phone provider. That does not mean I want to use armed gov't agents to attack them. Do you? I'll just buy something better and let the unseen hand of the market place decide who will dominate. We still have the right to choose most of the products we buy with out much gov't intrusion. But if we leave it up to the brillant leftist-socialist-know-it-alls, we'll all have to buy what THEY want.
You guys need to get a life. Get laid and leave MS alone. You guyes need to understand capitalism.. Commander Taco.. please educate your self. If you are such a smart nerd read about capitalism and monopolies before posting more stupid shit
Way to blame the victim. Dell has no choice.
Do you honestly believe what you have posted here? Did Bill Gates hold a gun to Michael Dell's head and force him to enter into this arrangement? I think we both know the answer to that. Dell entered into the arrangement voluntarily and only because they believed it was in the company's self-interest.
You and the rest of the arm-chair totalitarians who often post here would like to take away the freedom of voluntary exchange that Microsoft and Dell have exercised. You, and the politicians and judges you support have brought force and coercion (in the from of antitrust lawsuits) into a realm where previously only voluntary action existed. It is you (and your proxies - the politicians and judges) who is holding the gun to Microsoft's head. Even more amazing is the outrage you exhibit when a company like Microsoft offers money to politicians in order that, for a brief moment, they might point the barrel elsewhere.
The deception your engaged in is exposed by your own words:
If you want to sell at a competitive price you have to agree to do whatever MS tells you, even if that means not selling a minority of your customers the product they want and that you should be able to provide them.
If you want to sell what at a competitive price? Microsofts product is what, and it is Microsoft's right to set the terms when you buy from them. Dell has the option to accept those terms or refuse them.
No the money is gaining traction in the ever growing solution delivery platforms while maintaining a hold on your core value asset vertical markets.
That's where the money is at.
In short, swindling people out of their hard earned money because you bought a key part of infrastructure that makes the world go round [oil, engines, cell towers, cable lines, satelites] and are not in it to be fair and participating in a free market.
The sole purpose in life is to make money, short of that you're a failure two-bit hussler trying to rain on an otherwise sunny day.
That's what it's about.
Tom
Someday, I'll have a real sig.
And there are federal court cases that "prove" that making copies of music for yourself is theft. So what?
This is exactly what I've always thought; the government favors any monopoly that brings in foreign money, even if it hurts its citizens.
Waiiii!!!!!! I have bad karma!