A New List!

[Christopher Pall <x97pall@wmich.edu>]

  I apologize that this was done in HTML. I am working on the NON-html version
  of this letter. I just found it easier to maintain using some standard
  HTML.

See if you can add items to this list, or change or update it in anyway.

Abuses of MS Monopoly (Past + Present)

• MS's pressuring of keyboard mfg's to add the Windows 95 symbol.
• The requirement of software developers to release IE if they use the OS dll's or COMCTL32.dll
• The requirement of software developers to release software developed to MS specifications, or else labeled incompantible (win95 logo campaign)
• API structure on which windows software is developed is poorly documented. MS has used unknown API in it's software to compete, information not available to competitors.
• Requiring that the purchase of Hydra and Windows NT (if you don't alredy have it) as metering software if you want to meter MS Office usage.
• Requirement of OEM's to pay MS for OS/chip instead of per copy sold. (litigation overturned this policy, but too little too late)
• Integration of ActiveX technology (a native MSIE only technology) into multiple products (Office, MS VC++, and now 95, NT, Java++)
• Integration of MSIE into the Windows operating system. OSR2 declares Windows95 to be Windows95/Internet Explorer Edition. Any URL typed into Explorer (not IE, just E) launches IE - effectively making URL a Microsoft standard.

  Generally Abusive Practices
  
(these don't necessarily use an attained monopolistic advantadge but
  are anti-competitive none-the-less)

• IE's profile assistant won't work without Microsoft Outlook
• IE searches harddrive for competitive products (optional, but why)
• Requirement of companies to disclose information to MS before distributing to government
• MS pressures OEM's to keep IE on the desktop

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  Christopher Pall
  
Delphi Programmer & Western Michigan Student (CS)
  
                
  ThinkBiz
  
             
  Kalamazoo MI USA
  
            
  X97PALL@WMICH.EDU
  
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