In a Q&A, Neelie Kroes, who fined MS for not complying with the EC's antitrust ruling, said: "I regret that the Commission has had to take such a step today, but given Microsoft's continued non-compliance to date, I have been left with no alternative. Today's decision reflects my determination to ensure that Microsoft complies with its obligations.Microsoft has claimed that its obligations in the decision are not clear, or that the obligations have changed. I cannot accept this characterisation - Microsoft's obligations are clearly outlined in the 2004 decision and have remained constant since then."
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Member since:2005-07-24
I guess I missed the part where Pepsi had been analyzing Coke's chemical composition in their labs for decades and had not been able to crack it. Also the part where the Coca Cola's management, employees, and security are such that Pepsi's attempts at corporate espionage had been foiled as well.
So I guess they just have one more alternative:
If it can't be analyzed in the lab, and it's such a secret, do you really want to drink it? Especially when they used to put stuff in it which is now illegal?
Member since:2005-07-08
I'm not 100% sure what your point is, but I should point out: Pepsi not knowing Coca Cola's secret formula doesn't prevent their products from attracting Coke's customers, and it doesn't affect the customer's ability to drink both brands interchangibly. Businesses can put Coke and Pepsi vending machines side-by-side in their cafeterias without negatively impacting the usability of either machine.
None of the analogous statements are true for Microsoft's platforms. Microsoft's closed APIs prevent Microsoft customers from easily switching to competing platforms, and they prevent people from running most software written for Microsoft platforms on alternative platforms (i.e. WINE often doesn't cut it, and it never will if Microsoft doesn't open their APIs). Businesses have a heck of a time integrating competing platforms into their predominantly Microsoft infrastructure.
Further, most nations have a regulatory body like the FDA in the US that ensures that products like soda are safe for consumption. If they might not be safe for all people, such as diet sodas with aspartame, they require a standardized warning, such as "phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine." There is no government body in any nation (that I know of) that ensures that commercial software in safe and secure.
While it is unreasonable to expect Coca Cola to open their formula, it is reasonable to expect them to provide nutritional information, major ingredients, and instructions on how to open the can, if necessary. The same goes for Microsoft.
Member since:
2005-07-06
You do know the difference between OPEN APIs and OPEN SOURCE APIs? If not I think you've got quite some reading to do before you make your next comment.
I agree with you. I think as a programmer he/she should have known the differences.