[Am-info] Gateway Official Hits Microsoft Licensing In Testimony

[Mike Stephen]

On Tue, 26 Mar 2002 11:49:24 +0000, John Poltorak wrote:

>On Tue, Mar 26, 2002 at 02:24:57AM -0800, Mike Stephen wrote:
>> So are you all now beginning to realize what I stated 6 years ago is true?  
>
>That's nonesense. I suspect everyone on this list has known the same thing 
>for many years. 

I have not noticed anyone but myself campaigning for this solution.

>
>The only way to break the Microsoft monopoly and let other 
>> vendors have a fair shot in the market is to separate the hardware from any sales of software.  
>> 
>> All computers should be priced without an operating system.  At the time of purchase you can decide what to buy. This levels the 
field 
>> for all suppliers that offer Windows as a choice.  It makes them all advertize a cost without the Windows tax.  Therefore all Windows  
>> that are supplied by hardware OEM's will have a cost that will be apparent.  
>> 
>> Therefore no OEM will have a better cost than any other without all OEMs knowing what they paid for it.  Also all computers would be 
>> available without an operating system, so that the system of choice could be installed or a license from another machine that has 
been 
>> retired could be used.  
>
>There is no debate about that here. The only problem is getting the msg 
>out. Microsoft seems to have effectively silenced all opposition so there 
>is no competitor around whom Microsoft dissentors can unite in an effort 
>to be heard.

Do you think a solution needs to come from one or any vendor?  Surely you could envision a solution imposed on Microsoft from the 
courts?
>

I have always suggested that the courts enforce a ruling that all computer hardware be made available without software.  The courts 
forced IBM to do this many years ago.  Have you ever wondered why IBM PC hardware originally was always sold separately from the 
software? When the IBM PC first came out, the hardware was separate from the software.  I know this to be true because IBM PCDOS 
2.0 was available to all of us who built and sold clone PC equipment 20 years ago.  We went down to the local Computerland store and 
bought 10 copies at a time to sell to our clients who bought our hardware.  IBM was not allowed at first to bundle software with the 
hardware. It was after the IBM PCAT (286) was introduced when IBM hardware included a copy of PCDOS.


>The big PC boys don't want to upset Microsoft by offering naked PCs 
>because they will be punished as IBM was by chosing to offer an 
>alternative. The courts should have punished Microsoft very heavily for 
>doing what it did to IBM when any semblance of an alternative was snuffed 
>out. The courts have also shown that they are not man enough to deal 
>with Microsoft's past misdeeds and given a strong signal that it can 
>continue to penalise uncooperative PC suppliers by the use of 
>discriminatory pricing for those who want to offer customers an option for 
>avoiding the Microsoft Tax. \

If the solution I suggest is imposed by the courts, there will be nothing Microsoft can do about it.  Microsoft would be able to impose no 
harm on any OEM.

>
> 
>> Its the only solution that levels the field, makes a level price for all vendors, and would require no industry effort to manage.
>> 
>> Simple solution to a simple problem.  Why everyone wants to make it so complicated is beyond me...
> 
>The simple solution is the abolition of the Microsoft Tax, but there is no 
>one lobbying for it.

I have offered this solution since 1995.  I have posted it many times over the years to this forum. All the Senators and Congresscritters 
in the US have had a note from me to that effect..  Next time George W Bush drops by my place to ask me for my opinions, I will be sure 
to mention yet again the easy solution to the Microsoft problem.

>
>
>> From the Desk of Mike Stephen
>
>-- 
>John
>
>
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>From the Desk of Mike Stephen