The European Commission said on Thursday it will need to spend a number of weeks analysing the information that Microsoft has presented in its hearing before making a final decision on whether the company will be fined for not complying with a 2004 antitrust ruling. The hearing, which is taking place on Thu and Fri, gives Microsoft an opportunity to argue why it believes it has complied with the ruling.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-06
First of all, I said I knew it wouldn't happen in reality -- so no need to get all uppity about it. :-)
Second, the utopian F/OSS Crusader view is that everyone would finally find themselves free of "Microsoft's chains", and gladly march over to the Linux/Apple side. Again, the reality ... it won't happen. It would have already by now.
Oh, and I know that professional support is not exactly a popular concept in the Linux-DIY world ... but yeah, a lot of big-name companies depend on the company that sold them the software being around to provide updates and support.
Member since:2005-07-08
How do you know that it would already have happened by now?
I'm not sure what your point is by mentioning support, but you can get support for free software. And any company could adapt if they suddenly needed to change software or software vendors. If MS died tomorrow, the world would go on, companies would change and adapt.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-06-29
Not popular, Cygnus, at all, RedHat. Definitely, Linux people, Novell, hate companies, Sun, providing support for free software.
I know I, Canonical, don't like it when different kinds of, ASL, companies support, Apple, the free software they, Atipa, ship.
Professional support is not a popular concept in any DIY world. How often do you see a gamer on the phone with Dell tech support?
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-06-30
There would be little adverse effect for the EU because they already have copies of the software and don't need to upgrade (despite the Kool-Aid that MS would like us to drink).
That's why I believe the alternatives wouldn't be much successful than now. After all, if it ain't broken, don't fix it. If they don't need to upgrade, then why would they waste their time with alternatives?
Anyway, Asia is potentially a bigger market than Europe: it should be the one corporations and hobbyists don't want to miss.
Member since:2005-07-06
Wrawrat: That's why I believe the alternatives wouldn't be much successful than now. After all, if it ain't broken, don't fix it. If they don't need to upgrade, then why would they waste their time with alternatives?
I feel this is a good point. However, some people will be upgrading and will need/want to go some place. While they may prefer Microsoft, they wouldn't be able to do that in this scenario. Would it mean that the developers of these companies would improve WINE (or ReactOS) or port their programs? Not necessarily. The reason being that it would depend on how skilled the developers are who are forced to switch.
However... It would increase the need for a drop-in Windows replacement. As a result even if the developers of the companies that are affected can't or won't do much of anything, then there's a potential for profit for a company that will. This could encourage people who DO have the skills to make WINE (or ReactOS or whatever) better.
Also... There's the problem of how it would look to the rest of the world. Other countries would trust Microsoft even less than they do now. This is important since it may cause these other countries to start looking at alternatives a little closer even if Microsoft is still selling to them.
Member since:
2005-07-02
Uh, no. First, that would be a huge income loss for Microsoft. Europe is a huge market, its combined economies are larger than that of the U.S. (and unlike the U.S., it's not mired in a record-breaking deficit spiralling out of control).
Second, such an event would spur the development of viable alternatives. This would be the best thing that ever happened to OS X, Linux and Solaris.
There would be little adverse effect for the EU because they already have copies of the software and don't need to upgrade (despite the Kool-Aid that MS would like us to drink).
I think your admiration of all things Microsoft is clouding your judgement here.