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Microsoft attempts secret settlement with Feds?
Mike McCune wrote in to tell us
that news.com has an article that
says that Three weeks ago, Microsoft had secret meetings with DOJ
in attempt to settle case.
Here's a WSJ story that
requires a subscription, but has more details. Not much data
there tho. They still expect a resolution before the end of
the year.
Perhaps it's unimportant whether or not Microsoft loses. Inertia is hard to defeat, and they'll be around in force a few more years at least.
It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off
No, it's actually worse than that. They're offering it for $8 per year!
If you are going to do this at least use some quoates and add some commentary (even if it isn't intellegent) and cut it up a bit so that it looks like fair use. It would have been ok to quote a bit, summerize, quote... Even without adding anything new.
Think about what your doing and who could take the fall -- Please.
Check out:
Sm@rtReseller.com for an article relating some of the recent goings on. The link about FUD was interesting as well.
Do really dense people warp space more than others?
It's illegal and can only serve to get Slashdot in trouble. The least we can do is demote it.
That original agreement, what was it 94 or something, demonstrated that MS completely screwed the Feds and the customers and produced a "settlement" that continued to give MS exactly what it wanted. They likely started this trial assuming they'd get to do the same thing -- there were talks of early settlements. Sounds like the government has done much, much better this time around.
(It also helps that MS shot itself in the foot numerous times, and that Boies has done a great job destroying every witness MS has presented.)
www.HearMySoulSpeak.com
What, should everyone at the DMV be using different apps?
A lot of companies want to standardize. That makes it easier to administrate.
s'possible that someone created it with a different password...
When Microsoft themselves can offer it for $80, you have to wonder what their margin of profit is. I'd put good money that they're still making money off the $80 and $100 versions.
ssia
The trial is hurting Microsoft badly. I'm actually suprised that they did not settle before. It's not a question of whether they win or lose really. It's the damage that is done to them while the trial continues. Microsoft can't really bully any vendors while the trial continues.
Personally I would like to see the trial drag on for another year or two.
(And now that Microsoft has its own dictionary, one wonders if the word "ask" will be in there...)
Try to hack my 31337 firewall!
These aern't so secret, CNN mentioned them while they were happening.
It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off
MS has a real problem. They were not able to field a single supportive witness that Boies hasn't been able to more or less beat the tar out of.
This isn't just significant for those of us who like laughing at MS's folly.
I'm willing to bet that MS's double-speaking witnesses, contradictory witnesses, and made up evidence will be sufficient to keep them from even getting an appeal.
That MS is going to loose is a foregone conclusion. I'm actually very supprised that Jackson didn't throw the case out midway through this fiasco.
Just my 2 cents.
scottwimer
-- Beer. It's what's for breakfast.
--
--
=8^
Remember when the trial started up. Ziff Davis was saying the government was going up against the "best and brightest" and that they would have a very hard time winning a battle much less the war.
HA!
MS got their ass kicked at every turn! Even their allies said they were scared of them. Disney even said they bullied them! How about all the screw ups like "leaked documents" and video evidence. The best stuff came from Microsoft own e-mail.
Dammed good entertainment
I'll be sorry to see it go.
Linux is only free if your time has no value. Windows is only free if you threaten to use Linux.
i think the biggest problem with microsoft dominance is the standardization that comes with it. if everyone in a public institution like the DMV or others use all MS products to conduct business it leaves them inherently vulnerable to an exploit on all the machines.
this idea filters into other areas like internet routing: BGP4 is pretty foolproof but used exclusively in high level routing. you could apply this to cisco IOS (they have a pretty heavy market share) and other companies like even *gasp* red hat that are trying to make things uniform and homogenous.
without some kind of differentiation in implementations there will always be an inherent vulnerability in any system.
signatures are for fools with hands
But the issue (for Microsoft) is larger than simply the browser. Yes, they are arrogant, but to them, this case is about their ability to decide what goes in and out of their OS. They want the ability to include a ham-sandwich with their OS.
And while, yes they do (IMNSHO) use their control of the OS to bash about their competition, there are other reasons for them to want to control what goes into the OS. Imagine for a moment that their development cycle can be stopped because someone didn't want them including a TV controller...or a virus scanner...or a [...].
So, like it or not, I DO understand Microsoft position. Allowing someone other than Microsoft to decided that a certain icon needs to be removed from the OS would open the door to numerous other lawsuits. (Not to mention the possible loss in revenue and contracts do to the pulling of say, an AOL icon....)
And I do understand Microsoft demanding that Anti-Trust proceeding be brought against them.
The problem for Microsoft is that the Court and Anti-Trust Law doesn't care about development cycles or what benefits you can bring into the future or loss of future revenue. The Courts and Anti-Trust Law only concern themselves in the central facts...whether or not the defendant was doing the action at the time...and whether or not that action was illegal. Furthermore, the Courts and ATL know they have the ultimate authority of what and how something may be sold.
So I understand the actions of Microsoft.
Pissing off the Judges, flicking off the DOJ and basically proclaiming themselves higher than the US Justice system, I don't understand. That was stupid.
I expect them to get burned for that.
Simon_Jester
(FREE LUNA!)
Glad ya even copied the copyright! I'm sure Rob will thank ya! :(
Linux is only free if your time has no value. Windows is only free if you threaten to use Linux.
What is the going rate for M$ Office nowdays, esp. "competitive upgrades"? And what was it when SmartSuite and WordPerfect Office were still big sellers (like in '92-'93)? And how much did Access sell for when Paradox for Windows was going for $99? Have I heard this before or what?
Can Rob get in trouble for having it on his site? It's an Anon Cow, so the poster sure isn't getting in trouble.
Just wondering....thanks for posting though...it's a good read.
Werd.
I think David Boise deserves alot of credit for this... remember he only gets paid G15 goverment wages and he is tearing apart MS's best defense piece by piece.
and what?
but i think, it's sad that people know their money are being stolen from them and still do nothing about it (againsts it).
hany