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From: growson@bdo.ca
Date: 19 Jun 2000
Time: 08:14:16
Remote Name: bdo.ca
Richard, I sit back stunned. Your article was, IMNSHO, bang-on the mark.
For years, most people around me classified me in the "anti-Microsoft" camp. In truth, I have nothing in particular against the company -- I was one of those early enthusiasts who saw the way computers were heading the moment I saw Windows 3.0. What I *DID* take exception to was how MS (Gates) conducted their business -- the arrogance, the dogged pursuit in driving other competitors/innovators out of business, etc.
I think many people are confusing issues here. MS is NOT being punished for its success; rather, it's being punished because of its conduct in *HOW* it got there. Many of those practices are what form the anti-trust -- not because it's #1 and others hold a grudge. If the Mob assassinated its way to the top of a commercial industry, I doubt we'd be running around praising them, no matter how "good" or beneficial their enterprise seems after the fact.
I'd add further that Gates isn't the only culprit here. IMNSHO, the entire computer software industry continually acts like a bunch of teenagers -- Gates is just the one who got the knuckles rapped this time. I hope the industry learns from this whole affair; because if they don't and practices continue the way they do now, I forsee many of MS's competitors up on anti-trust as well.
Interesting article -- especially how the players (Witts, in your case) seem to be oblivious to the sand-box behaviour around them.
Keep up the commentary -- even when we do/don't disagree, your posts do let us have an avenue for the free exchange of ideas.
Note: Views are my own and don't necessarily represent those of my employer.
