Re: "Is Nader right?"

[mcgrats@ix.netcom.com]

  >But is there any documented evidence that MS used some sort of leverage, >hints of retribution, economic threats, threats of isolation, explicit >or implicit, to coerce Williams or anybody into using MS against their >will? 
  
  Chuck:  Yes.  See "Compaq"...
  
  Regards,
  
  Scott K. McGrath
  mcgrats@ix.netcom.com
  
  Any resemblance to Princess Spring-Summer-Winter-Fall or any other clown
  is purely coincidental.
  
  
  
  
  chuck wrote:
  > 
  > Paul Ferzoco (by way of John N Bryan) wrote:
  > > It's their overwhelming plan to FORCE us to use their products that
  > > piss's me off. Those of us who've been in the industry for 30+ years are
  > 
  > Hmmm, could someone elaborate on the use of 'force' by MS to use their products?
  > I can easily understand that MS does a hard sell to a company, like their recent
  > announcement that the Williams Co. will use the MS office suite, and that if your
  > an employee of the Williams Co. you will be forced to use MS products or seek
  > employment elsewhere. But is there any documented evidence that MS used some
  > sort of leverage, hints of retribution, economic threats, threats of isolation, explicit
  > or implicit, to coerce Williams or anybody into using MS against their will? I know
  > of one city that bought a bunch of Win95 wrkstns and installed Corel office suite on 'em
  > all. The head man there doesn't like MS monopoly and actually does something about it -
  > purchases non-MS products.
  > 
  > I still think there is time for public market forces to foster a groundswell of support for
  > a competitive product without having to resort to draconian govt. enforced anti-capitalist
  > measures, like the socialist 'anti dog-eat-dog' bill supported by competitors to a trans-
  > continental railroad in Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged".