Re: Bundling and operating systems

["Lewis A. Mettler" <lmettler@lamlaw.com>]

Eric,

Eric Lee Green wrote:
> 
> Some interesting notes:
> 
> 1) Every modern operating system currently being shipped comes with a web
> browser, generally integrated into the OS in some way. Even hoary old SCO
> Unix, last of the "old line" Unix systems, now comes with a bundled web browser.
> Even for people who do not use the Internet capabilities of the browser, it is
> still being used for viewing help files, filesystem browsing, etc. I am
> currently typing this within the "K" Desktop Environment under Linux, which
> comes with (yes) a web browser built-in as its primary user interface, fully
> Internet-integrated (e.g. I can haul an icon out of a window opened onto an FTP
> software directory, drop it onto my text editor icon, and voila, I'm editing
> it!).

Is this logic supposed to offset the harm cause to consumers?

Or have you already forgotten the two or three basic classes of
consumers.

1) those who do not want a browser
2) those who might want one but already have one (see the Bill Gates
piece)
3) those who might want one but prefer their own choice

Bundling always causes two affects:

1) the price in increased to cover the cost
2) choice is removed from the consumer in both the short and long run

Therefore, I repeat, anyone who argues for bunding is only attempting to
harm consumers.

<snip>

-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)